Social Services Advocate Supervisor - PDD South Region

Committee for Public Counsel•Brockton, MA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Defender Division of CPCS is seeking applicants for the position of Social Services Advocate Supervisor for the state’s South Region, covering Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable Counties. This includes the offices in Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Hyannis. Under the direction of the Director of Social Services Advocates, the SSA Supervisor will assist in the hiring, supervision, and training of staff Social Service Advocates in their region, as well as collaborating with and supporting the work of the SSA Director and CPCS management. The SSA Supervisor will carry their own reduced client caseload and will work alongside attorneys in the region’s offices as part of the defense team. In this capacity, the SSA Supervisor can assist on cases through written or direct advocacy to support a positive legal and life outcome for our clients. This work includes bio-psychosocial interviewing and assessment, social history investigation, forensic case management, advocacy for clients within court, carceral, mental health, and social service systems, fostering family interactions and intervention, treatment and sentencing planning, report writing, testifying, and making direct connections between clients and programs. Social services intervention occurs at all stages of the court process, from the initial arraignment through resolution and post-conviction. The SSA Supervisor’s primary base of operation will be in a CPCS office that is located within this geographic region.

Requirements

A master’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field
A minimum of three years of experience providing social services to clients, including clinical assessments and community referrals
Insured, reliable and available transportation, and a valid MA driver’s license
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
Experience working with individuals and families of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds
Knowledge of social, psychological, environmental, economic, legal, and medical factors that influence behavior
Understanding of social structures and institutional barriers that cause disparities, such as systemic racism and poverty
Culturally appropriate skills in client interviewing, assessment, case management, and treatment planning
Knowledge of public and private social services systems and resources
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively orally and in writing
Proven ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the office and the service provider community
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities (strong organizational skills)
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to handle emergencies
Knowledge of defense practice and the criminal legal system
Strong writing and editing abilities

Nice To Haves

Ability to supervise master level social workers for LICSW licensure
Strong interpersonal, management, leadership, and supervisory skills
A demonstrated commitment to the development and training of CPCS Social Services Advocates and advancement of holistic practice in the legal defense field
Bilingual abilities are a plus
Social Work Licensure (LICSW)
At least one year of supervisory experience

Responsibilities

Regular one-on-one meetings with individual supervisees, as well as group meetings, to ensure quality of services to both clients and referring defense attorneys
In-the-field supervision, including accompanying supervisees on client interviews, including jail visits and in-court appearances and court testimony to support ongoing training
Overseeing the development of community resource information and relevant clinical research data
Collecting, monitoring, and analyzing caseload statistics to ensure that caseloads are appropriate
Responding to requests for consultation from attorneys in the assigned region
Collaborating with Attorneys in Charge of offices in the region on annual performance evaluations of assigned supervisees
Assisting in hiring new staff by reviewing application materials, interviewing applicants, and conducting reference checks
Providing back-up coverage for SSA referrals as needed
Other duties as assigned (supervisory)
Providing orientation and ongoing training to new SSA hires
Assisting in developing, enhancing, and providing training programs and opportunities, for incoming as well as experienced staff
Assisting in training CPCS staff attorneys
Other duties as assigned (training)
Maintaining close contact with clients over the duration of their case to build a strong working relationship
Conducting both brief and in-depth interviews with clients respecting their individuality and with cultural humility to obtain client histories; connecting with and interviewing collateral contacts
Performing needs assessments, developing treatment or service plans, referring clients to service providers, and making direct connections between clients and programs
Gaining comprehensive knowledge of statewide and local programming and services, and working collaboratively with community-based services that support clients
Collaborating with defense counsel to develop defense strategies and dispositional options which demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of our clients’ whole lives
Preparing and presenting courtroom testimony to describe services and dispositional alternatives arranged for the client
Preparing detailed and persuasive written advocacy for sentencing and mitigation purposes
Advocating for clients in a client-directed practice to facilitate best possible outcomes
Other duties as assigned (direct client)