Social Worker

The Innocence Project, Inc. (“the Project”) is seeking a social worker to help the Project’s clients with their transition from prison.  The Project is a nonprofit pro bono legal clinic, founded in 1992 by Professor Barry Scheck and civil rights lawyer Peter Neufeld, affiliated with the Cardozo School of Law/Yeshiva University.  The Project represents prisoners nationwide for whom post-conviction DNA testing can prove innocence, and seeks to redress the underlying causes of wrongful convictions through systemic criminal justice reform.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The social worker will work full time, in tandem with the Project’s other social worker, assisting the Project’s clients with their transition to life outside prison after many years of wrongful incarceration. This will entail two different types of activity:  program development work and client case work.  The program development work will include the following:  developing a standardized program, including forms, guidelines, release packets and descriptive materials for social work services provided through the Project and monitoring the effectiveness of the program through data collection.

The client case work will include: conducting needs assessments; developing individualized release service plans; identifying local support networks, including family, friends and others, and building relationships with that network; identifying and liaising with local providers to coordinate and address client needs, such as food, housing, job training, medical and dental care and mental health; monitoring the services provided to clients; assisting clients with budgeting and financial emergencies; and negotiating with and advocating for clients within public benefits and other governmental systems.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of systems experience working with public benefits/entitlement programs, be highly motivated and organized, be able to work with others, have the demonstrated ability to work without close supervision, have experience developing and implementing programs, and have a strong commitment to social justice.  The social workers work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Experience working with clients in the criminal justice system is desirable, but not required. The candidate must have the ability to travel.  Fluency in Spanish a plus.  A sense of humor and delight in the challenges and benefits of a multidisciplinary team a plus. LCSW preferred, but not required.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with hiring at the earliest possible date.  Please email resume, cover letter, and a list of three references to hr3@innocenceproject.org, with “SOCIALWORKER” in the subject line.  Please do not send zip files; they will be deleted.   

Please, no telephone calls regarding this position.

SALARY:

Dependent upon experience, and we offer a competitive benefit package including health/dental/vision, 401k, Flex Spending Account, transitchecks, discount health club rate, and generous allocation of vacation and personal days.

The Innocence Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity.