Job Description

FLSA: Non-Exempt Benefits: Eligible Hours Per Week: 40/Full-time Number of Open Positions: 2 Met Council is America\xe2\x80\x99s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. Met Council\xe2\x80\x99s ten different departments are staffed by experts who help over 305,000 clients annually and continuously advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers. Our holistic programs range from 100% affordable housing at 20 locations to our award-winning family violence program to comprehensive Holocaust survivor assistance to senior programming to crisis intervention to the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Our network of 101 food pantries, 20 affordable housing sites, and 15 JCCs provide services directly in neighborhoods across New York. Position Summary: The Case Worker, Crisis Intervention will provide direct services to clients including intake and assessment, information and referral, advocacy, and financial assistance through the agency application for emergency cash grant assistance. Additionally, this role will provide appropriate screenings and referrals to internal programs within Met Council to ensure comprehensive supports and assistance based on the unique needs of clients.
Principal Responsibilities:

• Conduct intake and assessments on clients for emergency cash grant assistance towards needed financial assistance, such as rental arrears, utility turn offs, and other eligible household expenses.
• Help to determine client\'s eligibility for assistance by working with client to complete agency application and obtain all required documentation to verify assistance needed.
• Assist clients in completing Met Council applications and gathering necessary documentation, and where appropriate, grant clients financial assistance.
• Recognize and adhere to professional roles and boundaries, able to assess client\'s capacity to carry out mutually decided upon, realistic goals.
• Participate in weekly individual supervision meetings, as well as weekly and monthly team meetings.
• When necessary, complete assigned phone appointments from agency Call Center and crisis information and referral assistance to answer caller questions and assess callers for Met Council services, as well as connect to external partner agencies and other social service programs for assistance.
• Ensure accurate inputting of required grant data and client information (into agency electronic database and other required systems) as well as maintain required paperwork for all clients and their applications in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide information and referrals to resources in the community, case worker services, including assisting clients with applying for benefits, housing, and other services.
• Represent agency in meetings, as needed.
• Assist with Crisis Call Center, as needed.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills to both assess and build relationships with individuals as well as manage and control one\'s own reactions to complex and challenging conversations on the phone
• Ability to work effectively in a pressured environment serving persons under stress while still providing an empathic response
• Experience and knowledge in crisis intervention techniques and suicide risk assessment
• Requires on-going knowledge of local and national resources, including but not limited to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, other HRA benefits, additional state/county programs and resources, and the ability to link callers to appropriate organizations for needs
• Attention to detail
• Excellent computer literacy and word processing skills, including experience with Microsoft Word and Excel
• Client, ethics and integrity focused approach to interventions
• Ability to adapt to changes and flexibility in schedule
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Strong organizational skills and the capability to multitask
• Excellent telephone skills

Skill and Education:

• BSW degree preferred or Human Services Associates degree with social service experience
• Clerical/administrative work experience (preferred)
• Bi-lingual Russian or Spanish (preferred)

Special Requirements: This position is based at the central office; some field work with our local Jewish Community Councils may be required. Compensation: $45,000 - $50,000 per year. Benefits: Major medical, dental, vision and life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; FSA; 403(b) with employer contribution; plus generous vacation, sick leave and holidays.