Social worker (part time)
Posted: February 2026
To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume to Chandler Jones, HR Manager @ CJones@elderjusticeny.org. No phone calls, please.
Location: Buffalo, NY
Salary Range: This position is a union role and salary starts at $25 per hour, based on experience and salary steps in current CBA
About CELJ:
Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ) is a civil legal services organization fighting for justice, primarily for low-income older adults, in 10 counties in Western New York. Our attorneys stop illegal evictions, save clients homes from foreclosure, put a stop to elder domestic violence, fight for public benefits, work with our local immigrant & refugee populations, and represent grandparents and other kinship care relatives in custody and neglect petitions in family court. We also advocate for systems-wide policy changes, commenting frequently on changes to regulations and working with local elected leaders on legislation that will impact the poor and vulnerable older adults in our area. We believe that independence and dignity are the hallmarks of justice.
Position Summary:
Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ) is seeking a Part Time Social Worker for our Guardianship Unit. This position will be required to work approximately 24 hours per week. CELJ’s Guardianship Unit serves as court-appointed guardians for older adults in Western New York who have been determined to require assistance to meet their personal and financial needs. The Social Worker will work closely with the unit to meet the needs of the clients served by the Center for Elder Law & Justice.
Essential Functions:
Regularly meet with guardianship clients in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, at least once per quarter.
Assess ongoing needs of guardianship clients, including ongoing assessment of housing needs, medical and dental needs, social supports, burial needs, and monitoring of care plans for individual clients.
Attend care plan meetings to review client needs.
Accompany clients to medical appointments in the community.
Authorize, arrange, and monitor needed services of guardianship clients, in collaboration with guardianship team.
Develop appropriate discharge plans for guardianship clients, where needed, in collaboration with guardianship team.
Maintain and update information on client end of life wishes, and maintain appropriate paperwork for advance directives, including medical orders for life sustaining treatment.
Supply social, medical, and other information necessary for filing of annual and other periodic reports.
Maintain up to date records and documents actions taken according to agency policy and best practices.
Develop and maintain relationships with third party providers and community support.
Additional Responsibilities
Position requires limited on-call availability on nights and weekends.
Position requires visits to Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Hospitals, and community residences, as well as accompany clients to medical appointments.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work or other related degree
Experience working with older adults in a medical setting
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong written and oral communication skills
Ability to engage in self-directed work and scheduling
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to work within a team and respond to multiple requests
Strong attention to detail and well organized
CELJ offers a generous benefits and compensation package, including:
90%-100% employer covered health premiums
Generous vacation and sick time
Fourteen holidays a year, plus two half-day holidays and additional paid time off over the winter holidays.
Summer hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day
Payment of license fees and association dues
Encouragement of professional development
CELJ is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply