The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA's wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

• Conducts social work case activities and client support intakes/referrals. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.

Principal Duties/Job Responsibilities

• Conducts assessment interviews with clients to determine their social, developmental, emotional, economic status, or other needs in support of the Project activities.
• Conducts intakes with contracted clients, maintains client files, and conducts outreach to community organizations and mental health service providers for the purpose of developing and implementing release plans.
• Assists in providing individual, group, and family counseling and skills training and provides therapeutic interventions to address behavioral and emotional issues.
• Maintains all records of outreach and compliance of clients and ensures the confidentiality of the data and its safekeeping, irrespective of storage media.
• Assist in the explanation of court and/or hearing procedures.
• Provides support to staff members on matters related to social work cases and interventions.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Master's degree in Social Work and licensure (LMSW) or master's degree in Counseling and licensure.
• Provided two years of services, preferably as a social worker.
• Written and spoken fluency in a secondary language may be required based upon the location and client base served.
• Intermediate proficiency with Adobe and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, Teams)
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Ability to problem solve issues during stressful situations.
• Must be able to identify visual and verbal ques when interacting with clients and colleagues.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between office and off-site locations.
• Provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with the federal regulation, background check will be required for this position.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Licensed in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) or Licensed in Clinical Counseling.
• Previous experience providing social work support and services to indigent, disabled, and/or detained individuals.
• Previous work experience with clients detained in immigration detention facilities, jails, and/or correctional facilities.

Physical Requirements (if applicable}

• Typical office setting with frequent visits at immigration detention facilities and/or immigration court, requiring an ability to move about the facility grounds, with documentation materials weighing up to 15 pounds, for up to 15 minutes or more in temperatures that may exceed 90 degrees.

Extent of Travel Required in the Job

• As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel locally and the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children.

• ABA IJP, 2727 Camino Del Rio, San Diego, California, United States of America