Social Services Advocate - PDD Lowell

Committee for Public Counsel • Lowell, MA

2d • $59,893 - $96,855 • Hybrid

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 Lowell Office. This role is an integral part of the defense team, working closely with attorneys, investigators, and other key defense players 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 legal cases, including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, and mental health matters, serving a diverse client base. The Social Services Advocate works collaboratively with attorneys, investigators, support staff, experts, law students, and interns. The SSA identifies social and clinical issues that may have preceded arrest or 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. The role involves bio-psychosocial interviewing and assessment, social history investigation, forensic case management, advocacy within various systems (court, carceral, mental health, social services), fostering family interactions, treatment and sentencing planning, report writing, testifying, and connecting clients with programs. Social services intervention occurs throughout the entire court process, from arraignment to post-conviction.

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
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet with clients, bring clients to programs, attend meetings, conduct collateral interviews, and handle emergencies

Nice To Haves

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

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level