Social Service Case Manager

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

14d

About The Position

Provide clients with psychosocial support services on behalf of Public Defender's Office staff attorneys during legal representation in criminal matters. The role works with Assistant Public Defenders to assess client needs, connect clients with appropriate services, and support disposition and sentencing plans. The position serves indigent adults charged with crimes and juveniles in delinquency proceedings, and includes regular local travel and significant time in Lancaster County Prison.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a Caseworker for Lancaster County or a comparable agency; or a bachelor's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or another related social science, plus three years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social service agency; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that includes 12 college credits in relevant social sciences.
Commitment to providing professional, confidential, ethical, compassionate service to indigent adults charged with crimes and juveniles in delinquency proceedings.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and ability to establish rapport with a diverse client population.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive legal information.
Ability to work independently while communicating regularly and effectively with attorneys.
Ability to analyze and evaluate facts, evidence, and related information, and to apply creative thinking and problem-solving.
Ability to collaborate with mental health providers, community-based resources, and court-related agencies and personnel.
Strong organizational skills, complex problem-solving ability, and ability to manage multiple tasks under deadlines.
Computer literacy, typing skills, and proficiency with software including Microsoft Word and Excel and internet-based programs.
Meet Lancaster County Transportation Policy driver-designation criteria and comply with its Authorized Driver Guidelines.
Pass a Pennsylvania State criminal history background check.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and experience with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing local social service and criminal justice systems.
Bilingual English/Spanish capability.

Responsibilities

Work with Assistant Public Defenders in the overall representation of clients in the criminal justice system.
Assess clients' psychosocial needs throughout legal representation, including needs related to mental health, substance abuse, employment, education, and housing.
Identify and recommend alternatives to incarceration and prepare written reports on client needs and recommended actions.
Gather treatment records to assist with court determinations of competency and criminal responsibility.
Connect clients with social service and community-based programs and agencies, and testify in court about client needs and programs when necessary.
Help attorneys formulate and implement disposition and sentencing plans, with the aim of avoiding unnecessary incarceration or supervision and reducing recidivism and related costs.
Assist with mitigation investigations for serious cases, including capital homicide cases.
Interview clients, including those in and out of jail, and relevant witnesses to gather information and assess psychosocial history and development.
Serve as the Public Defender's Office liaison with mental health, social service, and community-based programs and agencies; maintain a case tracking system for clients with primary mental health needs.
Gather and maintain mental health, social service, counseling and treatment, medical, school, and other records for assessment, treatment, service planning, disposition, and sentencing.
Prepare written summaries, special reports, and memoranda about social service and treatment options.
Assist Assistant Public Defenders and investigators with identifying, coordinating, and securing relevant witness testimony when necessary.
Coordinate and facilitate prison re-entry plans and services, including treatment placements, in collaboration with County agencies such as Probation and Parole, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Children and Youth, and Domestic Relations.
Collaborate with expert witnesses, including death penalty mitigation specialists, by providing documentation and accompanying experts to client evaluations when necessary.
Maintain current knowledge of best practices and developments in social service programming, jail diversion, treatment courts, prison re-entry, and forensic treatments and strategies.
Attend required meetings and training sessions.
Collect and maintain data on client referrals to County Human Service agencies, particularly referrals that result in services being opened.
Track client recidivism to help establish a database for evaluating collaborative interventions.
Consult quarterly with the Chief Public Defender for grant reporting.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender or designee.