Health Center Social Worker

POSITION TITLE: Health Center Social Worker

DEPARTMENT: Mental Health

REPORTS TO: Director of Mental Health & AHT Services

DIRECT REPORTS: Integrated Behavioral Specialist- Social Worker

LOCATION: 41st Street Shelter, Health Center

GRANT END DATE: 08/31/2026.  

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Mental Health, the Health Center Social Worker, who is CASAC-certified, is responsible for providing psychosocial services, including crisis intervention, risk/psychosocial assessments, connecting youth to resources in the community, and short-term supportive counseling to a diverse youth homeless population and community patients. The Health Center Social Worker will also lead the continued integration of mental health, primary care, and substance use services for clients utilizing our Federally Qualified Health Center and residing in our crisis shelter. The Health Center Social Worker should have a focus and understanding of trauma-informed care and working with clients who have experienced significant trauma. The Health Center Social Worker will participate in interdisciplinary case conferences, work with primary care providers, and assist with program development to ensure high-quality delivery of services.

The Health Center Social Worker provides psychosocial services using a variety of interventions, including evidence-based models such as TF-CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, to young adults aged 16-21 residing in a 120-bed RHY shelter and aftercare services, as well as community clients utilizing our Federally Qualified Health Center.

As this is a new position, the Health Center Social Worker must be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment where processes and protocols are being developed and refined as the program operates.  Flexibility, excellent communication, and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position. This position includes opportunities to be trained and certified in evidence-based practices (EBPs) and continuing education credit opportunities through the InUnity Behavioral Health Coalition, of which CHNY is a member. It also provides individual and group supervision by an LCSW to pursue LCSW licensure.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 (Responsibilities to include, but not limited to the following)

• Provide initial evaluations utilizing assessment tools such as the PHQ-9 and CRAAFT.
• Provide individual, group counseling, and psychoeducation, with a specialization in substance use, to youth experiencing homelessness and community clients to address mental health and psychosocial needs. This includes short-term crisis intervention, advocacy, and follow-up for the designated caseload.
• Collaborating with our Health Center, AHT, legal, and residential teams to provide wrap-around services for youth.         
• Complete psychosocial assessments (e.g., screening for mental health and substance use concerns and mental status) for higher-needs residents. Identify current mental health, social, and emotional needs, make initial recommendations, make in-house and outside referrals, and write appropriate summary reports.           
• Actively link people who are interested in longer-term mental health and substance use support to community-based providers and communicate with providers/social workers at referring agencies as necessary.        
• Become trained in and integrate evidence-based programs.                              
• Provide consultation and training to Social Workers, Case Managers, and program staff, particularly around substance use, providing assessments, information (regarding issues around trauma, mental health, and substance use), and referrals as needed.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor to discuss concerns, reflect on practice and client needs, and carry out plans for young people.
• Provide dotted line CASAC supervisory support to the Integrated Behavioral Health Specialist.             
• Be vigilant about maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for our youth.
• Document in the required systems of record in a timely and accurate manner

Schedule

• On-Site Weekday Shifts (9:00 AM-5:00 PM or later, as well as 12:00 PM-8:00 PM on Wednesday, the Health Center’s late day)
• 1 Saturday Shift per month to start with, with the potential to increase             
• Overall, a Flexible schedule is required.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• This position provides dotted line supervision to the Integrated Behavioral Specialist.

SALARY: $72,680

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or LMHC and CASAC required.
• Bilingual preferred.

Knowledge/Skills      

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience providing counseling and case work with at-risk youth is highly preferred; internships in this field will be considered. Knowledge of trauma and mental health issues facing multi-stressed youth and families.
• Experience working in a homeless shelter, residential, or healthcare setting and knowledge of social service systems are preferred.
• Solid assessment, interviewing, and crisis intervention skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving abilities required.
• Experience working with diverse groups preferred.
• Experience documenting on an EMR
• Experience utilizing evidence-based and other social service models preferred
• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.

Benefits

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits, including but not limited to:

• Medical

• Vision

• Dental

• Life & Supplemental Life Insurance

• Short-term and Long-term disability insurance 

• Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire

• PTO includes three weeks of vacation in the first year, ten holidays, 13 sick days, five personal days, and birthday days off

• 403b with employer contribution after 12 months

Covenant House New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where everyone feels respected and valued. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at deptpeopleandculture@covenanthouse.org.