Case Worker - Public Defender's - TIDC - Grant Funded Position - J07090 - 25300

Nueces County•Village of Fonda, NY

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Nueces County Public Defender’s Office Caseworker will assist attorneys representing indigent individuals with mental health and/or intellectual disability issues. The Caseworker will help identify client needs and eligibility for appropriate community services to address those needs. The Caseworker will also aid in the investigation of defenses and the development of specialized sentencing recommendations and perform related duties as required. The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head.

Requirements

Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to operate a computer, including word processing programs, Adobe, Excel, and case management software.
Ability to prepare accurate and complete records and reports and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
Ability to exercise considerable tact, courtesy, discretion, firmness, fairness, and cultural sensitivity in contact with clients and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, county employees, officials, and the general public.
Ability to deal with clients in crisis situations.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Manage a reasonable client caseload based on requests for social work and mitigation assistance from attorneys.
Interview clients, assess needs for services, and make appropriate referrals for services.
Acquire pertinent records relative to client’s psychosocial history and mental health diagnoses and treatment.
Identify and conduct interviews with family, friends, employers, and other support system members in the community who can aid in clients’ success.
Coordinate meetings between attorney and client as requested by attorneys.
Draft client correspondence and reports suitable for use in court proceedings.
Attend and effectively track client court settings as requested by attorneys.
Provide trial support with fact investigation and trial punishment mitigation as necessary.
Testify in court as necessary.
Collaborate with public defender team, service providers, and community resources to effectively provide holistic approach to indigent defense.
Prioritize and organize work to meet deadlines and court appearances.
Maintain case evaluation and activity records; provide case statistics to Chief Public Defender as requested.
Attend mental health training and public defender office training as requested by Chief Public Defender.
Perform any other duties as assigned.