Social Services Advocate - PDD Framingham

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Framingham, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking applicants for a full-time Social Services Advocate position in their Framingham Office. This role is an integral part of the defense team, working closely with attorneys, investigators, and other defense personnel to achieve the best possible legal and life outcomes for clients. CPCS is dedicated to fighting for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocating for individual rights, and promoting just public policy. The agency provides representation in a wide range of cases, including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, and sexually dangerous person cases. The Social Services Advocate works as part of a multidisciplinary legal defense team to provide zealous advocacy to adult criminal defendants. The SSA helps identify social and clinical issues that preceded arrest and those that may result from court involvement, adhering to attorney-client confidentiality. SSAs work under the supervision of the Social Services Advocate Director, with administrative direction from the Attorney in Charge.

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 access to 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 clients and responsibilities

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of defense practice, the criminal legal system, and/or corrections is a plus
Bilingual abilities are a plus
A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Maintaining close contact with clients over the duration of their case to build strong working relationships
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