Description
About Swords to Plowshares
Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to heal the wounds of war and to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to end homelessness and poverty among those we serve. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.
Job Title
Social Worker – Various locations within San Francisco, CA, VSSR Program
Summary
The Social Worker is responsible for ensuring that the needs of aging veterans are met during their tenancy with Swords to Plowshares. This position will be expected to assist the assigned case managers with resources and referrals that best meet the needs of veterans in an effort to ensure that veterans can safely age in place in the least restrictive housing environment possible. The Social Worker will be expected to assist in the coordination of care among the various care providers both internal and external to the agency. The Social Worker can also assist in ensuring that veterans are connected to benefits to which they are eligible as they age.
Responsibilities
- Provide services in support of aging veterans with mental illnesses, emotional distress, active substance use, and psychological disorders.
- Assess the needs, strengths, weaknesses, situations, and support systems of aging veterans in an effort to develop short-term and long-term goals and treatment plans in collaboration with the assigned case manager.
- Provide staff training on the creation of treatment plans that are designed to improve the mental health and well-being of aging veterans.
- Researching and providing support to case management staff in order to properly refer aging veterans to resources (i.e., medical services, Meals-on-Wheels, transportation, and SNAP benefits).
- Helping aging veterans sign up for government assistance (i.e., Medicare)
- Assisting in the creation of tools the better track the progress of aging veterans living within permanent supportive housing.
- Evaluating onsite support services to ensure that they are meeting the needs of aging veterans.
- When necessary, accompanying aging veterans to doctor’s appointments, and working in partnership with the Licensed Psychiatric Technician to ensure that they are providing medication reminders.
- Acting as a liaison and advocate for aging veterans within the agency and to external partners.
- Arranging social activities and gatherings appropriate to the needs of aging veterans in partnership with the onsite Peer Specialist and the Program Manager for Residential Services.
- Complete all required program documentation in a timely manner.
- Act as a resource for support services staff as they assist veterans to meet program goals regarding residential stability, increased skills or income, greater self-determination, connection with mainstream resources, payment of rent, and money management
- Attend required meetings and trainings
- Perform comparable related duties as required by management
- Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable embracing the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative and the principles of Cultural Humility.
Requirements
Education
- Masters Degree in social work, psychology, or counseling required.
- Clinical Licensure or Registration preferred but not required (LCSW, ASW, LMFT, AMFT, LPCC, APPC)
Experience
- Minimum of (2) two years’ experience providing direct services to the homeless, substance abuse, and dual-diagnosed clients with an emphasis on older adults.
Skills
- Ability to provide access to training and tools to support services staff related to aging
- Ability to assess mental and behavioral health needs to include suicidal ideations
- Good listening skills, compassion, empathy, and social skills to engage with aging veterans who have also experienced homelessness
- Overall flexibility and the ability to prioritize workload
- Ability to be a team player
- Employee must be able to carry out the essential duties of the position within what can be considered reasonable accommodation.
Qualifications
- A working understanding of the needs of people experiencing homelessness with an emphasis on mental illness, to include PTSD and readjustment issues
- Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
- Working knowledge of the DSM V-TR
Salary & Benefits
The starting salary range for this Full Time, Exempt position is $72,000 to $80,000 annually.
Compensation is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Swords to Plowshares offers a generous benefits package including the following benefits:
- 100% Company Paid Medical and Dental for employees; there is a cost for Dependents.
- Agency paid Annual Medical Deductible paid via Navia Card
- 403(b) retirement plan immediate, with employer contribution after one year.
- 17 vacation days in the first year, and progressive afterward
- 13 holidays each year
- Supportive environment
- Paid lunch Period.
- Annual Education/Training allowance
- Access Perks
- Rocket Lawyer
- Acupuncture and Chiropractic program (Up to 30 sessions a year-paid by employer)
How to Apply
(No calls please)
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter explaining your interest in Swords to Plowshares, where/how you found out about this career opportunity, and your salary requirement. Email the cover letter along with your resume to jobs@stp-sf.org.
Please include the exact title for this position in the subject line of your email:Social Worker – Various locations (San Francisco, CA)
You may also apply to the position using the following link: Apply For This Job
Swords to Plowshares is an inclusive employer and we are proud of the rich diversity among our staff. Please join us!