Caseworker 1 - Public Defender's Office

Luzerne County•Wilkes-Barre, PA

13d

About The Position

Provides biopsychosocial (BPS) support services to staff attorneys of the OPD. The caseworker shall work directly with assistant public defenders in the OPD and shall assist these attorneys who represent juveniles/adults in delinquency and criminal cases. Caseworker services shall include an assessment of client needs at all phases of juvenile delinquency and criminal proceedings. Client needs may include evaluations and recommendations regarding alternatives to placement/incarceration by identifying juveniles and adults with substance abuse problems and mental illness and connecting the juveniles/adults with local treatment programs. The caseworker shall be expected to prepare written BPS reports to identify housing, educational, mental health or other needs of juvenile and adult clients, connect clients to local social service agencies and testify in court about client needs as requested by the staff attorney. The goal is to create successful disposition and sentencing plans for juveniles and adults in the court system, ensure that juveniles and adults are protected from needless placement/incarceration or supervision, and reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration. Licensed or MSW caseworkers may also supervise social workers or other student interns from high schools, colleges, universities or other professional schools. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of principles of social work (e.g., mental disorders, human development, social policy, developmental disabilities, cultural factors) to meet social work responsibilities in providing detention/disposition/sentencing alternatives.
Knowledge of Biopsychosocial (BPS) aspects of mental, developmental, physical disabilities, etc., to formulate rehabilitation plans as alternatives to incarceration/placement for juveniles and adults facing detention/disposition/sentencing.
Knowledge of the scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies and community resources to formulate rehabilitation plans as alternatives to detention/placement/incarceration as a means of reducing recidivism and incarceration costs.
Knowledge of recognized treatment interventions such as risk assessment, sex offender assessment, substance abuse interventions, etc., to formulate rehabilitation plans.
Knowledge of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics to ensure professional competence.
Skill to communicate effectively to facilitate recommendations on rehabilitation plans as alternatives to incarceration/placement for juveniles and adults facing detention/disposition/sentencing.
Skill to write clear, legible, accurate, and concise reports to enhance alternatives to incarceration/placement.
Skill to perform interviews to obtain BPS information and to formulate rehabilitation plans for juveniles/adults facing detention/placement/incarceration.
Skill to establish the confidence and cooperation of staff attorneys, support staff, and clients to enhance the quality of professional working relationships.
Ability to testify in court effectively on recommended rehabilitation plans to be considered by the Court as alternatives in detention/disposition/sentencing hearings.
Ability to understand the BPS of juveniles/adults that the OPD represents.
Ability to garner the confidence of the court, adult/juvenile probation, and law enforcement in recommending disposition/sentencing alternatives.
Tactful, patient, alert, exhibit emotional stability, have keenness of observation, and have an empathetic understanding of juveniles/adults facing the justice system.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related field.
Skill in using various computer software, including Microsoft Word and Excel and internet-based programs.

Nice To Haves

Masters Degree in Social Work or related field.
Experience working with local or state social services delivery systems for juvenile and adult offenders is highly valued.

Responsibilities

Work directly with assistant public defenders in the OPD.
Assist attorneys representing juveniles/adults in delinquency and criminal cases.
Assess client needs at all phases of juvenile delinquency and criminal proceedings.
Evaluate and recommend alternatives to placement/incarceration.
Identify juveniles and adults with substance abuse problems and mental illness.
Connect juveniles and adults with local treatment programs.
Prepare written BPS reports to identify client needs (housing, educational, mental health, etc.).
Connect clients to local social service agencies.
Testify in court about client needs as requested by the staff attorney.
Create successful disposition and sentencing plans for juveniles and adults.
Ensure juveniles and adults are protected from needless placement/incarceration or supervision.
Reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration.
Supervise social workers or student interns (for licensed or MSW caseworkers).
Perform other duties as assigned.