Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Social Worker to join our Immigration Practice.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

BDS’s Immigration Practice is a collaborative team of over 50 staff who represent people in detained and non-detained removal proceedings as well as complex applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Social Worker will provide clinical social work support and advocacy to clients in removal proceedings and affirmative remedy applications.

Responsibilities

• Partner with an interdisciplinary team in providing comprehensive legal representation and contributing to case strategy for clients in removal proceedings as well as affirmative remedy applications.
• Provide both written and oral advocacy for clients.
• Conduct clinical assessments of client needs, develop service plans, and refer to appropriate resources.
• Communicate with outside providers about clients' needs.
• Evaluate eligibility for public benefits and insurance and support clients in the application process.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed.
• Visit and communicate with clients in detention facilities and the community.
• Appear in immigration court when needed.
• Maintain case notes and case documentation in electronic case management and document management systems.
• Navigate a caseload where deadlines are scheduled or re-scheduled on short notice.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or a master’s degree in Social Work and willing and eligible to become licensed within six months of starting the position.
• At least two years of immigration-related professional social work experience preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment skills.
• Strong writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues on an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to take responsibility for a caseload of clients with varying needs and case-related deadlines, ensuring timely action and intervention.
• Proficiency in Microsoft programs including Outlook and Word.
• Social workers fluent in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Information

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with occasional need for external visits/meetings outside those hours. The position is based at BDS’s offices in Brooklyn.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a base salary range of $80,000-$88,000, depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by August 15, 2025.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.