Job Opening: Social Services Advocate
Department: Public Defender
Hours: 35 hrs / 8:30am - 4:30pm
Salary: $24.75 hourly
The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to the individuals facing a loss of freedom in the criminal, delinquency and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The office employs over roughly 70 attorneys and staff to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. The office represents several thousand clients each year in the District Justice Courts, the Court of Common Pleas and the Appellate Courts of Pennsylvania.
Under the general oversight of the Public Defender, First Assistant and relevant unit chief, a Social Worker is responsible for working at the direction of the Defender legal team in criminal, delinquency and mental health proceedings to identify and address the social services needs of Defender clients, including, but not limited to:
Interviews clients
Identifies and obtains appropriate services based on the client’s stated needs. Such services will include access to housing, appropriate mental health and medical services, employment and educational opportunities, and other supports and services
Contact with client’s attorney prior to any contact with clients. If the attorney wants to attend the client meeting, make the necessary accommodations
Works with attorneys to coordinate client cases and advocacy, this includes providing a mini-psychological-social work up on the client to attorney, assisting in communication between attorney and client when necessary, preparing correspondence, reports, and memorandum suitable for use in a Court of law, obtaining necessary records, and relating all case information to the attorney
Establishes and develops relationships with community services and potential supports, including, but not limited to, the local mental health authority, law enforcement, community supervision, the housing authority, adult education services, community leaders, and religious communities
Establishes and develops relationships with supports identified by the client, including, if appropriate, the client’s immediate and extended family as well as friends, mentors and other supporters
Appears for Court settings with client and monitor progress of clients throughout the pendency of their case(s)
Assists in client transition to probation and development of appropriate conditions
Collaborates and coordinates with jail staff to ensure client needs are addressed
Participates in outreach
Assists in data collection and analysis
Completes special projects and other duties as assigned
Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education or Human Services
Strong writing and oral communication skills
Spanish fluency preferred
Experience in working with people with serious mental illness and drug and alcohol issues preferred
Computer skills, including experience with case management software and MS Office
Demonstrated commitment to public service and capacity for fairness
Resourcefulness, creativity, initiative and drive, tact, and discretion
Please provide a cover letter with the application, they are required for this positon.
To apply, please fill out our online application form.