Social Services Advocate - PCD Administration

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Private Counsel Division (PCD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking applicants for a full-time Social Services Advocate (SSA) position. This statewide position will be part of the Private Social Work Services Unit. The SSA will work closely with the Innocence Program, the Parole Unit, Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit (ACRSU), and the Post-Conviction Unit under the guidance of the Director of Private Social Work Services. The role involves providing direct client support and advocacy, resource development, and consultation and training to defense attorneys. This position is statewide, and while the SSA can be seated in any CPCS office with available space, it requires travel across the state to meet with clients, collaterals, and attend in-person meetings. CPCS fights for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocating for the rights of individuals and promoting just public policy. The agency provides representation in various legal cases, including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, and sexually dangerous person cases, as well as appeals and post-conviction proceedings. CPCS emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming for a staff that represents a broad range of human differences and experiences, and fostering a respectful work climate that supports success and promotes the dignity and well-being of all staff members. The clients represented by these units have been convicted of a criminal matter and are seeking relief through parole, the appellate process, or other post-conviction legal proceedings. The PCD SSA will work to ensure CPCS clients achieve the most favorable legal and life outcomes. The position requires flexibility, the ability to prioritize and problem-solve, excellent organizational and written advocacy skills, good judgment, attention to detail, and a trauma-informed, person-centered approach. The PCD SSA must be able and willing to enter county and state correctional facilities and adhere to the rules of confidentiality under the attorney-client relationship. The Social Services Advocate will report to the Director of Private Social Work Services, with direction provided by the Directors of the Post-Conviction, Parole, ACRSU, and Innocence Program units.

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
Must be able, and willing, to enter county and state correctional facilities
Expected to adhere to the rules of confidentiality under the attorney-client relationship

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
Please submit a writing sample with your application, preferably a redacted psychosocial report or discharge/release plan

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