Social Services Advocate - PCD Administration

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Private Counsel Division (PCD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts' public defender agency, is seeking a Social Services Advocate (SSA). This statewide position will be part of the Private Social Work Services Unit and will collaborate with the Innocence Program, Parole Unit, Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit (ACRSU), and Post-Conviction Unit. The role involves providing direct client support and advocacy, developing resources, and offering consultation and training to defense attorneys. The agency is committed to fighting for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, advocating for rights, and promoting just public policy. CPCS represents individuals who cannot afford an attorney in various legal matters, emphasizing cultural competence and respect for diverse client circumstances. The SSA will work to ensure clients achieve favorable legal and life outcomes, requiring flexibility, problem-solving skills, organizational and written advocacy abilities, good judgment, attention to detail, and a trauma-informed, person-centered approach. The position requires the ability to enter correctional facilities and adhere to attorney-client confidentiality. The SSA reports to the Director of Private Social Work Services, with guidance from unit directors. While the position can be based in any CPCS office with available space, it involves statewide travel to meet clients, collaterals, and attend meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a social service field and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience
Must have 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, disabilities, and economic backgrounds
Experience with conducting psychosocial interviews, needs assessments, and writing and executing discharge, release, or re-entry plans
Experience with case management, coordinating services, and collaboration as part of multi-disciplinary teams
Experience with drafting comprehensive defense-oriented written advocacy and release plans
Ability to conduct comprehensive records review and identify salient information (educational, medical, mental health, psychological, etc.)
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
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with colleagues and supervisors, as well as with external service providers
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple clients and responsibilities
Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet with clients, willingness to transport clients to programs, attend meetings, and conduct collateral interviews
Knowledge of basic computer skills, Microsoft Windows, virtual conference platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.), and cell phone applications

Nice To Haves

Experience with unhoused or unsheltered populations is a plus
Bilingual abilities are a plus
A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field and a valid and active professional independent clinical license is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Conducting both brief and in-depth interviews with clients, respecting their individuality and with cultural humility
Providing ongoing client contact during the duration of a case
Interviewing collateral contacts as directed by the attorney of the case
Performing needs assessments as part of developing home, release, and re-entry plans
Making referrals to viable services, providers, programs, and applying for benefits, programs, housing, and other areas of need
Providing direct client re-entry support, including warm hand-offs and transportation to programs, appointments, and meetings
Drafting comprehensive release and reentry plans, including mitigating factors and applicable research that supports findings and recommendations
Gaining a comprehensive knowledge of statewide and local programs and services for all ages and abilities
Working collaboratively with community-based services that support our clients
Assisting the Director of Private Social Work Services with case support, projects, trainings, and coverage, including recruitment and training of private Social Services Expert vendors
Providing social services consultations to attorneys, including records and case file reviews
Other duties as assigned