Director of Social Services Advocacy - Mental Health Litigation Division

Committee for Public Counsel•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking an experienced social worker for the position of Director of Social Services Advocacy for the Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD). The Director of Social Services Advocacy is a member of the MHLD management team, oversees the staff Social Services Advocates, and develops and supports private social work vendors. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. The Director of Social Services Advocacy is a MHLD leadership position and a member of the MHLD management team. The Director of Social Services Advocacy is responsible for the leadership, oversight, supervision, and training of Social Services Advocates (SSAs) in the MHLD trial offices in Brockton, Roxbury, Northampton, and Worcester. Some direct social service advocacy is required. In addition, the Director provides back-up to staff SSAs when they are unavailable. The Director is responsible for developing and supporting private social service and behavioral health vendors hired on a case-by-case basis by private attorneys and CPCS staff attorneys representing indigent respondents in civil commitment and guardianship cases. The Director consults with, and advises, attorneys around vendor issues. The Director of Social Services Advocacy is responsible for data gathering and reporting related to the use of SSAs in cases supervised and overseen by the MHLD. The Director works closely with MHLD Attorneys in Charge, the Trial Panel and Training Directors, Regional Coordinators, and Mentors, and collaborates with the other Directors of Social Services Advocacy and Social Work in other CPCS Divisions. The Director of Social Services Advocacy reports to the MHLD Deputy Chief Counsel.

Requirements

Be licensed in Massachusetts as an LICSW, LMHC, LRC, Licensed Psychologist, or similar licensure with a minimum of five years of experience working in the justice system, mental health field, or related social service role
Be committed to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population
Be available to support SSA staff including during evenings and weekends as emergencies and needs arise
Have insured, reliable and available transportation, and a valid MA driver’s license
Have access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
Knowledge of forensic mental health practice, defense practice, and the Massachusetts legal system; experience with DOC, DDS, and/or DMH; and knowledge of available clinical and social service resources for those with mental health, traumatic and congenital head injuries, intellectual disabilities, and other neurological impairments
Knowledge of case management, service planning, public and private social services systems and programs, data gathering and reporting strategies and techniques
Demonstrated skill in supervision, coaching, mentoring, and staff development
Demonstrated skills in interviewing clients and assessing their needs, and experience with client centered advocacy
Experience in developing and presenting trainings on social service topics
Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively orally and in writing
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities
Flexibility for statewide travel, as well as work outside of typical business hours (e.g., for emergencies, trainings)
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently

Responsibilities

Supervising MHLD SSAs, including, but not limited to, developing or refining protocols and standards, evaluating and ensuring high performance, reviewing SSA reports, and providing supervision of SSAs who are pursuing post graduate licensure
Data gathering and reporting to monitor the SSAs’ caseloads and other issues which may have an impact on MHLD’s ability to effectively and zealously represent its clients.
Recruiting and hiring MHLD staff SSAs in conjunction with MHLD Attorneys in Charge
Developing and supporting cross-divisional teams to effectively represent clients from a client-centered perspective and assist teams in resolving complex clinical and legal challenges
Recruiting, supporting, and maintaining lists of private behavioral health and social service vendors hired by private and staff attorneys to represent indigent clients
Partnering with the Training Department to identify training needs, develop and implement trainings for SSAs, staff and private attorneys, and other staff as needed
Providing direct social service advocacy to clients; Director is required to maintain a small caseload of clients across offices
Assessing and re-evaluating the role of the SSAs and how their work is being implemented as a member of the legal team
Leading and participating in agency wide working groups to set SSA practice policies and participating in working groups with outside agencies in order to provide better services to clients
Participating in MHLD’s management team in making strategic decisions so MHLD can effectively and zealously represent clients
Working across CPCS divisions to promote collaboration, including on shared initiatives
Other duties as assigned.