Social Worker - Rustin

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Social Worker
Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Reports to: Assistant Program Director & Program Director
Location: New York, NY
Status & Hours: Full-time position with a regular daytime schedule, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (hours may vary). Lantern staff may be asked to adjust their work schedule depending on the operational needs of the site and the agency.

Who We Are: Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. If you believe a steady home can be the start of everything else, you'll fit right in with our mission-first team. Lantern was also recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York — a great place to do meaningful work with people who care!

About the Role: We are seeking a dynamic and engaging Social Worker with experience working with formerly homeless individuals with chronic medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, in a supportive housing environment. The Social Worker will assist residents in stabilizing their lives, maintaining housing stability, and achieving their physical, emotional, vocational, educational, and social goals. The ideal candidate will have solid clinical knowledge, experience working with individuals impacted by mental illness, substance use, and medical issues, and a passion for helping people.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide integrated counseling and case management services that effectively engage residents and promote health and wellness, personal growth, and housing stability.
• Collaborate with residents in the development of client-centered, recovery-oriented service plans that identify short and long-term goals.
• Utilize a harm reduction approach to support a diverse caseload of formerly homeless individuals around issues of mental health and substance use.
• Make referrals and serve as a liaison with care coordination agencies, health and mental health providers, substance use programs, and employment providers to secure services.
• Actively engage residents through regular apartment visits, community outings, and escorts to appointments as needed.
• Develop safety plans for residents and work with the team to de-escalate clients and collaboratively manage crises as they arise.
• Develop and implement groups and programs appropriate for residents' needs that foster an inclusive, respectful community.
• Develop and maintain confidential records for each resident according to the mandated schedule, documenting all relevant interventions, assessments, and correspondence with collateral services.
• Collaborate with the Leasing and Compliance team to ensure housing stability.
• Participate in staff and clinical meetings and individual supervision to ensure best practices in the performance of role responsibilities. Participate in group clinical supervision toward advanced licensing.
• Participate in a robust training program that includes training in evidence-based models to ensure the highest level of service is provided to clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• MSW required; LMSW preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• One year of experience working with adults and/or families impacted by poverty, chronic homelessness, mental illness, substance use, or medical issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Highly organized and able to manage a diverse caseload of clients with varying needs.
• Able to work well under pressure, including in crisis situations, and flexible with work schedule when necessary.
• Experience with ETO or other electronic record-keeping systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, or chronically homeless populations.
• Experience working with evidence-based models, specifically Motivational Interviewing.

Work Environment: This position operates within a supportive housing site and works with a population that may experience mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. They must also use their hands to type, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 pounds. Some positions require travel between sites and field work in the community, including walking up to 0.25 miles, climbing stairs, and carrying work materials up to 8 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Other Duties: Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Lantern values the diversity of our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities.