Social Worker / Case Manager
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
Salary
Social Worker / Case Manager
Safe Families, Strong Futures Program
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (Legal Services), a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to people living with low income/low opportunity, seeks a Full Time Social Worker/Case Manager for its Safe Families, Strong Futures Program. This position typically works Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm, and will occasionally need to work on the weekends or evenings. The Social Worker/Case Manager will report to the Managing Attorney of the Safe Families, Strong Futures Program in coordination with the Director of Social Work.
The goal of the Legal Services Safe Families, Strong Futures Program is to provide support to survivors of domestic violence whose children are at risk of being removed or have been removed from the family home. We support family reunification with the domestic violence survivor and/or safeguard against unjust removal of children from their families by providing high-quality legal representation to qualified low-income/low-opportunity parent survivors, with cases in St. Louis County in which there are juvenile cases or family law divorce, custody and support cases. We also assist clients in safety planning and obtaining protective orders, when necessary.
The Social Worker/Case Manager will collaborate with the Safe Families, Strong Futures team to determine the appropriate actions in the case. These include understanding what the court has ordered, helping clients understand and access the services they are required to participate in as part of their court order, connecting clients with supportive resources, and helping them achieve stability. The Social Worker/Case Manager will also help to collect appropriate documentation and reports showing the positive work that our clients have done, to support reunification of parent and child or support a favorable custody award.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct social work assessments, including risk assessments, on new clients entering the case load
- Determine what assistance is needed to support the legal case by reviewing court orders with attorneys and safety planning with clients, when appropriate
- Formulate case plans and stabilization goals that support the legal case and support client confidence, self-protection and personal ownership
- Monitor completion of court-ordered or parenting services and to provide support in obtaining these services
- Assist clients with financial assistance applications and accessing public benefits such as LIHEAP, Food Stamps, and Medicaid as appropriate
- Advocate for clients within the social service delivery system
- Establish a working relationship with clients, as well as with the other professionals involved with families’ cases, particularly Children’s Division workers
- Be available for off-site work such as family support team meetings, home visits and community education events
- Recommend service providers who will build rapport with each client and offer non-legal advice to guide clients in meeting the requirements of the court order
- Work with the attorney and paralegal to help build the case to support reunification of parent and child and/or family stability and safety
- Write case notes and submit them in the LegalServer case management system
- Assist with other tasks as assigned or needed
Qualifications:
- Master of Social work or comparable education preferred
- Understanding of the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division and the St. Louis County Family Court, familiarity with the child welfare system and/or experience as a Children’s Division case manager is helpful
- Able to fiercely advocate for our clients and to be creative in problem solving
- Knowledgeable in trauma-informed principles and practices and experience in working with low-income/low-opportunity individuals and families
- Able to develop strong community relationships
- Excellent communications skills
- Able to work collaboratively in fast paced environment, to be resourceful and take initiative
- Must have own transportation and be available to occasionally work evenings and weekends
- Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office and able to learn new software, including case management systems
If your background doesn’t match our qualifications exactly, but you think you’d make a great addition to our team, we’d like to hear from you! All are encouraged to apply.
What we do:
LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions and has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program.
LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions and has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program.
Who we are:
At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, we embrace a culture that celebrates and promotes the many backgrounds, heritages, and perspectives of our colleagues and clients. We seek to hire individuals from a variety of backgrounds, who are professional, collaborative, and creative thinkers with a passion for our mission, and create an environment where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will make employment decisions based on merit.
How to Apply:
Upload your resume and cover letter through our online application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Salary & Benefits Information:
The annual salary range is $55,000 to $82,500 with MSW and $50,500 to $75,700 without MSW. Specific salary offered to a candidate will be based on years of relevant experience. There are opportunities for advancement, including raises. Excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy (starting at 4 weeks per year), 11 paid holidays, 12 weeks paid parental leave, 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, and flexible spending accounts.
Submission Deadline: Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Equal access to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s office is available. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources at the e-mail hr@lsem.org. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.
- $50,500 - $75,700
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