About:
The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) was founded in 1845 in New York City by Quaker abolitionist and prison reformer Abigail Hopper Gibbons. Established in response to the overcrowded and inhumane conditions in New York jails, WPA sought to support incarcerated women, who at the time were often considered “unredeemable.” It was the first organization dedicated to the rights and rehabilitation of system-involved women.
Today, decarceration is our North Star. Based in New York City, WPA strives to make the incarceration of women obsolete. We operate on a gender-responsive, trauma-informed model of support that provides the essential services justice-impacted women need to remain in their communities, heal, and thrive.
WPA is at an exciting and pivotal moment in its evolution. In 2025, WPA adopted a transformative 3-year strategic plan centered around three impact goals:
- Create a comprehensive, high-quality service model, prioritizing housing support and essential care for justice-impacted women.
- Weave an effective, robust community support network so that justice-impacted women receive the opportunities, services, and gender-responsive care they need.
- Shift public opinion and justice system practices and policies so that community-based support, and not incarceration, is the default response to contact with the criminal legal system.
As the organization advances, this role will contribute to WPA's continued growth and stability.
Position Description:
The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) is seeking a trauma-responsive Social Worker to provide clinical services and support to residents at WPA’s supportive housing, the Rise. The Social Worker will engage all WPA residents, provide individual counseling, co-facilitate group interventions, plan community events and contribute to a collaborative, strengths-based care model.
Responsibilities:
Clinical Counseling & Support
- Provide individual supportive counseling to participants using trauma-responsive, strengths-based approaches
- Develop and maintain individualized service plans in collaboration with participants, revisiting regularly to reflect evolving goals and needs
Group Facilitation
- Create new engaging programming for the Rise Tenants
- Co-facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups
- Foster a safe, inclusive group environment that promotes engagement, connection, and skill-building
- Support delivery of culturally responsive programming, including Spanish-language groups as needed
Collaboration & Program Support
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and monthly case conferences
- Collaborate with case managers and facility staff to support participant engagement and program delivery
- Contribute to a supportive, trauma-informed environment within the facility
- Support psychoeducation efforts, including staff trainings on trauma and substance use
- Participate in required training sessions and ongoing professional development
- Perform other duties or special projects as assigned by supervisor or leadership
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required
- LMSW or LCSW preferred (or eligibility to obtain licensure)
Experienced Required:
- Minimum 1–3 years of clinical experience, preferably with justice-involved populations, substance use, or trauma
- Experience writing psychosocial or mitigation reports strongly preferred
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and harm reduction approaches
- Experience with group facilitation and evidence-based practices (e.g., CBT, TF-CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety)
- Commitment to anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, and participant-centered practice
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred
Competencies:
- Strong clinical writing and assessment skills, including the ability to synthesize complex histories into clear, compelling reports
- Strong clinical judgment and boundaries in complex environments
- Flexibility, adaptability, and collaborative mindset
- Excellent communication and documentation skills
- Commitment to dignity, respect, and self-determination of all participants
- Commitment to confidentiality, cultural humility, and professional integrity
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, particularly in high-pressure or crisis situations
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, with a passion for social justice
- Alignment with WPA’s vision to make incarceration obsolete by supporting women in their communities
Compensation, Perks & Benefits*:
Annual Salary: $70,000
WPA offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our staff. Our benefits reflect our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported.
Health & Wellness
- Health & Vision insurance
- Employer-paid dental coverage
- 100% premium paid Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Paid family and medical leave
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Companywide Wellness Challenges
Time Off & Flexibility
- 12 paid holidays, including a paid holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s
- Floating holidays and Personal days
- Hybrid work options for various roles
Financial Benefits
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Tax-deferred commuting benefits via ThrivePass
- 529 college savings plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- “Aspiring Professionals” Scholarship Program
Growth & Development
- WPA University ~ Learning Management System (LMS) for on-demand learning
- Internal & External training opportunities
- CUNY sponsored scholarship to HSCAS for employee education
Extra Perks
- Access to the “Alcott HR Marketplace” employee discount program
- Milestone Celebrations & Awards
*Benefits eligibility may vary based on the number of hours worked
WPA strongly values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of systems involvement and race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic, or any other protected status. Faithful to our mission, all of our employees share in these commitments as a guide to engage one another with dignity and respect. Individuals with criminal justice involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to [email protected]. You must include "Social Worker, The Rise” in the subject line of your email.
Pay: $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
