Social Work Intern (Fall, 2026)

Orleans Indigent Defender • New Orleans, LA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

OPD is seeking Master of Social Work students interested in public defense and criminal justice advocacy for our Social Work Internship program. Social Work Interns join our Client Services Division and are partnered with a Staff Social Worker during the internship/field placement. In this role, interns will begin their learning by assisting their supervising staff social worker in identifying alternatives to incarceration, helping prepare individual mitigation plans to reduce detention for our clients, and diverting/referring clients to more appropriate social services and treatment. Under supervision, interns will be able to conduct clinical assessments, assist with determining appropriate treatment settings, and liaise with medical and psychiatric providers. As the internship progresses, social work interns will be expected to take on their own client caseload that they manage under supervision. This role requires a willingness to conduct direct client contacts in jail, court, and other community settings; to engage with community members; and to coordinate services.

Requirements

• Master of Social Work student.
• Demonstrated interest in serving underserved and marginalized communities.
• Ability to work well with people of various socio-economic, racial, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with clients, staff, and members of the community.
• Ability to be organized.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team-driven environment.
• Resume.
• Cover letter (statement of interest).
• Transcript (unofficial version is sufficient; transcript not required if no grades yet available for students applying during their first semester).
• Class schedule for semester(s) of desired internship (not required to apply if not yet available by time of application).

Nice To Haves

• Field placement contracts in place with the Master of Social Work (MSW) programs at the Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), Louisiana State University (LSU), and Tulane University.
• Students not from these schools should reach out early to [email protected] to determine if OPD can establish a contract with their school.

Responsibilities

• Assisting supervising staff social worker in identifying alternatives to incarceration.
• Helping prepare individual mitigation plans to reduce detention for clients.
• Diverting/referring clients to more appropriate social services and treatment.
• Conducting clinical assessments under supervision.
• Assisting with determining appropriate treatment settings.
• Liaising with medical and psychiatric providers.
• Taking on own client caseload under supervision.
• Conducting direct client contacts in jail, court, and other community settings.
• Engaging with community members.
• Coordinating services.

Benefits

• Unpaid internship.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern