Company Description

The North Ward Center is a non-profit organization with a national reputation for providing high-quality services to an ethnically diverse community in an economically sustainable way. Located in Newark, New Jersey, the organization serves more than 10,500 individuals through programs that help community members learn, live, and work productively. Its initiatives include free preschool education for hundreds of children, comprehensive adult medical day care services, and year-round youth development and recreation programs. The North Ward Center also offers English as a Second Language classes and operates a Family Success Center supporting families in crisis.

Role Description

The Certified Social Worker is a full-time, on-site role based in Newark, NJ, supporting individuals and families engaged with North Ward Center programs. The social worker will recruit, conduct assessments, develop service plans, and provide counseling, case management, and advocacy to help clients access appropriate resources. Daily tasks include recruiting new clients, coordinating with program staff and external agencies, maintaining accurate documentation, and monitoring client progress to ensure continuity of care. The role also involves crisis intervention, facilitating referrals to community services, and contributing to program development to enhance outcomes for children, adults, and families across the Center’s initiatives.

Qualifications

• Current state social work certification or licensure, with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in case management, client assessment, and service planning in community-based or nonprofit settings.
• Strong counseling, crisis intervention, and advocacy skills, with the ability to support individuals and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, community partners, and external agencies.
• Solid organizational and documentation skills, including maintaining confidential records and meeting reporting and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of local social service systems, Medicaid and other public benefits, and community resources relevant to children, adults, and families.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discriminatory practices in service delivery; bilingual English/Spanish proficiency is highly beneficial.
• Ability to work on-site in Newark, NJ, with flexibility to support multiple programs and occasional evening or weekend activities as needed.