Lydia’s Place Inc is a Christian nonprofit in the Athens, GA area serving young adults 17-24 that have experienced foster care or homelessness. We serve students who are enrolled in post secondary education in the Athens area. To fulfill our mission, Lydia’s Place offers specific services and supplemental support to our students, including food, tuition, clothing, transportation, housing, counseling, and medical care.

Job Title: Social Worker

Classification: Contract, Part Time (20 Hours)

Compensation: Based on experience

Reports to:

Governance Board/Executive Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

The Social Worker provides behavioral, emotional, and educational counseling to groups and individuals, assists students in adjusting to school and community life and serves as a liaison to other agencies to be supported by Lydia's Place, Inc.  The social worker will be responsible for making regular visits, individual meetings and evaluations with our students while creating strategies to solve direct and indirect problems. The Social Worker will be expected to keep clear case notes and report on the needs of each student involved in our programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Student Services: Works to organize, manage and provide support for Lydia’s Place students.

1. Assessing our students and compiling case reports containing relevant and actionable information.
2. Providing support, guidance, and counsel to the young adult students that are in our programs.
3. Provides direct student services through initial assessment, individual and group counseling, therapy, and referral as needed.
4. Assists students in identifying and solving emotional and educational problems, adjusting to school, work, and community life, and preparing for appropriate post-secondary training or career pathway.  This includes getting needed documentation and application assistance.  
5. Assists in the planning, development and implementation of programs which include initiating group and individual activities to assist in the academic and social skill acquisition and success of students.
6. Observes and analyzes student behavior and administers and evaluates achievement and other types of tests to develop student behavioral and educational goals.
7. Schedule and arrange weekly meetings both for individuals and group settings to monitor progress through Lydia’s Place programming. 
8. Making referrals or introductions to other agencies.
9. Monitoring all counseling, medical and educational appointments of the students in our programming.
10. Consistent communication with counselors, medical staff, and campus liaisons.
11. Serve as the primary contact for all requests to student services ensuring a timely response.
12. Foster and maintain collegial relationship with peers in the field with area service organizations. 
13. Works with the Medical services team to administer drug tests and results.
14. Mediate conflicts between students in a timely manner
15. Facilitate referrals with community resources (vocational rehabilitation, connections homes, food stamps, medicaid, etc)
16. Coordinate transportation for job interviews, medical appointments, laundry, and any other essential activities
    
    Housing: Works to organize and manage the housing for Lydia’s Place students.

1. Previews and evaluates intake to make proper selections for housing locations and roommates.
2. Conducts apartment inspections and cleanliness reviews.
3. Works with our housing partner organizations to provide communication support for repairs, requests and damage reporting.
4. Maintains files, and documents for rent payments and overall program expectations of the student’s individual program that are connected to their housing.
   
   Administration:  Works to organize and manage all paperwork, correspondence (email, phone calls) for the advancement and completion of Lydia’s Place student programs.

1. Maintains confidential files, records and documents for prevention related activities and outcomes.
2. Serve as the primary contact for all requests to student services ensuring a timely response.
3. Consistent communication with counselors, medical staff, and campus liaisons
4. Work with the program, administration, and volunteer committee to identify needed housing items and communicate needs to appropriate staff.
5. Work with volunteers and staff to support student progression through their programming.
6. Maybe asked by staff to  help with special events and program student service needs.
7. Provide Director biweekly reports on all students and their progress.
8. Foster and maintain collegial relationship with peers in the field with area service organizations
9. Supervise social work and/or consulting student interns 

Required Education and Experience

1. A Master Degree in  Social Work or Counseling, or related field is required.
2. At least 2 years of related experience in case management or organizing and maintaining a case load.
3. Strong organizational skills, well disciplined, able to work under pressure of many priorities, previous work, or Social Worker experience in the nonprofit sector.
4. Knowledge of management principles and evaluation techniques related to programs that involve the student age group.
5. Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with staff, peers, management teams, supervisors, governing board, and community partners.
6. Excellent computer skills required (Microsoft Office suite Databases, Case note software)
7. Ability to work respectfully with people of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, nationalities, socio-economic levels, beliefs, and lifestyles.
8. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: comfort building relationships with individuals via phone, email and in person.
9. Collaborative team player who works effectively with colleagues and staff across programs and agencies.
10. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (If applicable)

• Ability to pass a background check

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to staff@lydias-place.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain posted until filled.