Alternative Sentencing Worker I

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet • Hamlet, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Alternative sentencing helps the community, as well as the client. Throughout the state, the criminal justice system is overloaded with drug-related cases. Taxpayers pay millions of dollars to incarcerate offenders for drug crimes. Putting nonviolent offenders in jail costs the community money without providing a long-term solution to the problem of addiction.

The Department of Public Advocacy represents indigent clients appointed by the court in criminal cases. If you have a strong desire to help others overcome substance abuse and mental health issues, help those less fortunate, reunite families, and help individuals become productive members of their community, then the Alternative Sentencing Worker (ASW) position is the job for you.

If you have a degree or relevant work experience in social work, psychology, sociology, or drug counseling and are interested in helping adults and juveniles with mental health or substance use disorders then you may be qualified for the Alternative Sentencing Worker Position.

You will work as a member of the defense team in the Richmond Trial Office to assist clients charged with criminal offenses related to substance abuse or mental health. You will conduct assessments to determine the client’s specific needs and then prepare an alternative sentence. The alternative sentence typically involves a treatment component. This could be inpatient, outpatient, short or long-term mental health or substance abuse treatment.

The ASW is a valued member of Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) trial offices. A candidate for this position should be able to:
Multitask and Prioritize.
Have strong organization skills
Possess the ability to work on a team in addition to the ability to communicate well both verbally and through written documents and reports.
Possess the ability to work alone and be self-motivated. As an alternative sentencing worker with the Department of Public Advocacy, you will listen to the clients, explore options, and never stop fighting for the client. You will be an advocate for your client.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited college or university with a master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, family studies, counseling or a related field.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license prior to employment.
• Maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Degree or relevant work experience in social work, psychology, sociology, or drug counseling.
• Experience helping adults and juveniles with mental health or substance use disorders.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Strong organization skills.
• Ability to work on a team.
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and through written documents and reports.
• Ability to work alone and be self-motivated.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments to determine the client’s specific needs.
• Prepare an alternative sentence, typically involving a treatment component (inpatient, outpatient, short or long-term mental health or substance abuse treatment).
• Work as a member of the defense team.
• Assist clients charged with criminal offenses related to substance abuse or mental health.
• Listen to clients, explore options, and advocate for the client.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive