Bilingual Outreach Case Coordinator I

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

1d • $24 - $36 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Municipal Public Defender (OMPD) is a comprehensive, holistic public defender office that is client-centered, independent, and innovative in the representation of defendants who face jail time for municipal ordinance violations and traffic offenses, and municipal youth offenses. Many of our clients live with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and traumatic brain injuries and over half are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. OMPD’s Client Support Team (CST) consists of four Peer Support Specialists, a Behavioral Health Navigator, and a Bilingual Outreach Case Coordinator who work alongside attorneys in court daily, create re-entry plans with clients in jail, and connect clients with resources like shelter/housing, benefit enrollment, behavioral health treatment, and more. The CST division serves as part of the defense team and are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality. OMPD is seeking a Bilingual Outreach Case Coordinator I to provide case management services and resource navigation to the individuals OMPD represents in both Spanish and English.

Requirements

• Fluent in Spanish and English
• Knowledge and experience with the Denver Criminal Justice system, court processes, public defense – including the role of the defense council
• One to three years of experience delivering case management services in both English and Spanish in a social services, homelessness, legal, behavioral health, or related setting
• Experience maintaining an ongoing caseload of clients, including assessing needs, creating case or treatment plans, and monitoring and documenting progress
• Knowledge of Denver metro resources, social services, and behavioral health treatment and supports. Experience navigating complex systems and services
• Passion for and experience working with people experiencing marginalization, including people who use substances, people living with mental health conditions, and people experiencing homelessness
• Experience with, and ability to work and communicate effectively both written and verbally, within a multidisciplinary team
• High level of organizational skills and ability to autonomously determine necessary tasks and complete work
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion and language access
• Skill in engagement techniques sufficient to be able to obtain and verify information with clients
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and data entry experience, including entering documentation into a case management system
• Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.
• One (1) year of experience supporting human services, social services, and/or public health programs.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirement.

Nice To Haves

• A bilingual stipend may be available to eligible candidates once hired
• If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing case management to clients to assist individuals in connecting to culturally and linguistically relevant behavioral health services, shelter, reentry services, benefit enrollment, other desired resources and services in both Spanish and English
• Assess clients’ current resource/service connections, strengths, and current needs to determine both appropriate services and/or programs and eligibility for services
• Develop solutions with clients to resolve immediate or recurring problems and barriers to receiving and/or participating in services or programs
• Work in close partnership with attorneys, administrative staff, and other Client Support Team staff as part of a holistic defense team
• Support the defense team by being present regularly at court, specialty dockets, and at OMPD’s office for on-demand, in-person client support
• Delivers resource navigation and case management services in Spanish and English, interprets as needed for OMPD staff, and translates outreach/resource materials into Spanish
• Visit clients in Denver jails, partners with clients to create reentry plans, and connect clients to services and treatment to support their transition into the community
• Monitor and track client participation, follows up on any problems or issues that arise, and coordinates immediate support services such as transportation assistance, clothing and hygiene needs, food, and other services
• Complete all required documentation. Gathers and maintains data for defense team communication and reporting requirements – including documenting client progress, client interactions, and updating case records
• Build professional relationships and networks with community resources, service providers to increase access to timely, relevant service/resource connections for OMPD clients
• Other duties as needed and assigned

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 132 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 11 Paid Holidays per year, plus 1 personal holiday, and 8 hours of Denver Good Deeds volunteer time
• Education Refund Program (ERP) - a chance for the city to support your continued learning and career growth by investing in your future with the city
• Care Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)
• Free RTD Eco Pass
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
• A bilingual stipend may be available to eligible candidates once hired

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED