Social Work Supervisor 1 - Trial Services

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is hiring a Social Work Supervisor 1 for its Trial Services Division. Based in Columbus, this position supervises five Social Work Assistants working across five trial offices and provides both clinical and position supervision. The supervisor collaborates with Trial Office leadership, attorneys, and managers to support collaborative criminal defense and advocacy, develop best practices, and strengthen services for clients facing poverty and criminal justice challenges. The role may also provide social work assistance in trial-level cases.

Social Work Assistants assess clients’ needs for community resources, make referrals, track client data, and help identify outpatient or intensive inpatient treatment options. The supervisor supports staff in complex and acute cases, develops intervention methods and procedures, and may provide social work services to clients in pre-trial and postconviction contexts. The role also involves preparing and monitoring materials and testimony for defense proceedings and maintaining relationships with attorneys, justice stakeholders, clients, families, and facilities.

The position is permanent, full-time, and based in Columbus, with semi-regular travel to other Ohio locations, including for training and relationship-building with direct reports. Compensation is $36.75–$52.27 per hour ($76,440–$108,721.60 annually); starting pay is generally Step 1, with possible consideration of a higher starting step for exceptional qualifications.

Requirements

• Current license as an independent social worker (LISW) issued by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage & Family Therapist Board, in accordance with ORC 4757.27.
• Twelve months of experience providing clinical supervision.
• The posting notes an exemption from the current LISW licensure requirement for civil service employees with at least two years of service as of July 10, 2014, pursuant to ORC 4757.41(A)(5).

Nice To Haves

• Professional or volunteer experience helping to pursue a fair justice system.
• Experience partnering with supervisors across disciplines to develop processes and procedures.
• Strong communication and organization skills.
• Passion for building a team and assisting people facing the challenges of poverty.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Social Work Assistants across Trial Services offices in Athens, Ross, Trumbull, Washington, and the Northwest Regional Hub.
• Provide clinical and position supervision to Social Work Assistants.
• Develop intervention methods and procedures for Trial Services offices.
• Serve on leadership teams and project committees.
• Coach and develop staff and recommend personnel for hire.
• Assist Social Work Assistants with complex and/or acute cases and perform clinical interventions.
• As assigned, provide social work services to clients involved in the criminal justice system in pre-trial and postconviction contexts.
• Assist in preparing, delivering, and monitoring materials and testimony for use in defense proceedings.
• Maintain working relationships with attorneys, justice stakeholders, clients, families, and facilities.
• Work with Trial Office leadership, attorneys, and managers to provide professional insight and implement best practices for collaborative criminal defense and advocacy.
• Travel semi-regularly to other Ohio locations, including for training and building relationships with direct reports.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid vacation, personal, and sick leave, plus 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS.
• Optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed