Group Leader (Corner House & West 140th)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies with a combined annual operating budget of approximately $63 million that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. Goddard Riverside and The Isaacs Center are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults throughout Manhattan and New York City. 

Program Description: Goddard Riverside’s Corner House provides affordable, permanent supportive housing for 34 previously homeless adults many of whom have mental illness, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders. Goddard Riverside’s West 140^th also provides affordable, permanent supportive housing for 48 previously homeless adults of whom have mental illness, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders. Both provides on-site services include case management, entitlement assistance, medical and psychiatric care, substance use counseling, group activities, recreation, and 24 hour/7 day per week front desk security.

Position Summary: We are looking for two Groups Leaders to fill these roles. The Group Leader's  are expected to plan and lead assigned activity groups using a strengths-based, client-centered approach to support social support, inclusion, skill development, wellness, and recreation to reduce social isolation, to support the rehabilitation services provided, promote community among tenants, and maintain permanent housing.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salary Range: $44,172 - $51,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

1. Group Work

• Develop curriculum and groups to promote inclusion, wellness, education and recreation based on client interest and need
• Facilitate onsite therapeutic activity groups such as cooking and laundry that promote community and independence within the building
• Creates and maintain program schedule and calendar of activities, events, and trips
• Creates a platform for tenants to discuss/improve social relationships
• Prepare, Cook, and Serve nutritional meals
• Provide social groups that assist tenants in the development of/improvement of daily living skills
• Facilitate monthly tenant advocacy meeting and work with tenants to incorporate ideas into programming.
• Coordinates recreational events and trips to encourage socialization, inclusion, and reduce isolation
• Develop activities that promote training and educational skills
• Coordinate wellness groups and activities with outside service providers such as the psychotherapist, and Substance Abuse Counselors.
• Coordinate outdoor activities with tenants i.e., Barbeques, gardening, Community awareness
• Provide escorts in the community to facilitate wellness and maintain housing as needed
• Work as part of Social Service Team (sharing with case managers) to ensure continuity of services. 
• Provides other tasks and functions as deemed necessary to assure the provision of quality social, recreational, and educational services to all tenants

2. Case Management

• Provide case management to a small caseload of tenants, which includes helping to procure/ maintain entitlements, medical and psychiatric treatment, and basic support in maintaining housing.
• Maintain all documentation according to standards established by funding sources and the agency.
• Provide escorts to health and housing appointments as needed

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Education, Psychology, or related field
• Experience working with homeless, formerly homeless individuals, or substance abuse preferred
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and/or co-occurring disorders preferred
• Experience developing, implementing, and facilitating groups strongly preferred
• NYS Food Handlers License within 6 months of employment

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Understanding of Housing First philosophy
• Team Player
• Strong organizational skills
• Creative, flexible, skilled in working hard to engage clients

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Excel
• Able to use or learn computer databases such as AWARDS

Physical Requirements

• Some walking and travel to escort clients to various appointments throughout the city and on recreational trips
• Able to lift 30 to 50 Ibs
• Alternate between standing and sitting
• Climbing stairs
• Lifting or carrying

Work Environment

• Mostly indoor office setting. Regular visits to client apartments are also required.  Some travel.
• Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center follow the CDC and NYS recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are now requiring all new hires to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a qualified exemption

Employee Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision

• Life Insurance/Commuter benefits/Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Flexible Spending Accounts

• 403B Thrift Retirement Plan

• 12 Annual Sick Days

• 12 Agency Holidays

• 20 Days or 4 Weeks of Paid Time off and an additional week (5) days after 5 years of employment

• Total of more than 6 weeks (a month and half) of paid time off

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.