Social Worker

The Jewish Relief Agency serves over 6,400 diverse low-income individuals across Greater Philadelphia by relieving hunger, improving lives, and strengthening our community. JRA works to alleviate the everyday burdens of poverty for 3,800 food insecure households through our Monthly Food Distributions. Over the years, JRA has established additional programs to meet community members at their point of need. Our array of supportive services, which include the Family Friendly Food Initiative, Everyday Essentials program, Crisis Fund, and Friendly Phone Calls, alleviate some of the stressors felt by the families we serve.

Due to the increased need for our services JRA is seeking a social worker to join the frontline staff of the agency. We are looking to hire a compassionate individual who can thrive in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate should be comfortable with building trust, maintaining professional boundaries, providing referrals, and communicating with a diverse group of  clients and community organizations. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate with current and prospective clients about JRA services. Assess nature of clients' situation and provide resources, referrals, and follow up support to ensure resources have been attained.
• Act as a client advocate in low-level support situations to assist clients to obtain needed resources.
• Develop relationships with human service agencies and serve as a liaison with various constituents.
• Collaborate with the Director of Client Services to identify clients who qualify for assistance through the Crisis Fund. Once approved identify resources and process requests.
• Assist with administering the Friendly Phone Calls program, refer clients for participation, assess program impact, and provide feedback for program improvement.
• Assist with administering the Everyday Essentials program, refer clients for participation, assess program impact, and provide feedback for program improvement. 
• Provide administrative support by responding to service requests, making follow- up phone calls, and sending and processing forms and correspondence.
• Assist with creating a strategic approach to outreach to the Jewish community about JRA services. Contact organizations that serve our target population and establish a pipeline.
• Manage a new contactless food shopping and delivery program that matches volunteers with families and seniors.
• Maintain client and organization confidentiality.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services are performed.
• Facilitate supply orders for clients from community partners, such as Philadelphia Diaper Bank and Cradles to Crayons kidpacks.
• Approximately three-days a month assist with the Monthly Food Distribution at the JRA Warehouse and/or Jewish Federation Housing in Northeast Philadelphia.
• Flexibility to take on other assignments based on organization needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or other related degree and 10+ years of experience in human services; Master’s level degree in social work preferred 
• Must possess strong knowledge of social service agencies in the five county Greater Philadelphia region
• Must have excellent leadership, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate effectively to staff members, clients, and the community
• Proficient in computer use and applications commonly used in this field for the development of reports, documents, presentations, including Microsoft Office software and Non-Profit Salesforce
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds
• Must have access to a car and a valid driver’s license

If you think you are the right person for this role, please send the following to jobs@jewishrelief.org.

• Your resume
• A brief statement of interest
• In the subject line of your email please reference the position title and your last name. (Example: Social Worker_Rosenthal)