Social Worker I/Ii, Criminal Justice Series

State of Maryland•Baltimore County, MD

About The Position

Internal MOPD Employees Only. As a State agency, Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or genetic information. All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work in various positions, and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503 [email protected]. The Office of the Public Defender is recruiting to fill a vacancy for a Social Worker I/II, Criminal Justice. The Office of the Public Defender provides forensic, public defense social work services to adult and or youth clients in an indigent defense environment. This position will provide social work services to adolescents charged as adults for Transfers. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Location: Baltimore County Office; permanent position is Statewide. Eligible for mileage reimbursement. The Social Work Division is seeking dedicated, social justice–oriented social workers who are committed to litigation support for indigent clients facing criminal charges. As a Forensic Public Defense Social Worker with the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), you will be an essential member of an interdisciplinary defense team that provides client-centered legal representation. The social worker will (1) conduct clinical assessments for mental health needs, (2) prepare mitigation reports on as needed basis, (3) provide testimony on as needed basis at hearings. The social worker acts as a social work expert on the defense team who will engage in case consultations with the Assistant Public Defender, and complete the designated social work assignment in preparation for the client’s legal proceeding. This social work practice applies social work values, principles, theories, and techniques to assist indigent clients during criminal legal proceedings. Responsibilities may include conducting psychosocial evaluations for mitigation, connecting clients to evidence-based services, and developing pretrial, sentencing, or alternative sentencing plans that integrate those needed services that restore or enhance the social and or psychosocial functioning of clients. We offer robust support for your professional development. The Social Work Division provides on-site clinical supervision from Board-approved supervisors. MOPD is a Board (Board of Social Work Examiners) Authorized Sponsor that is authorized to provide a continuing education program of continuing education units (CEUs). Our commitment to ongoing training and mentorship makes this an ideal opportunity for social workers looking to grow in the practice of forensic social work. The Social Worker I is the intermediate level of professional social work providing public defense, forensic social work services in an indigent, criminal legal environment. This Social Worker primarily conducts assessments of clients, identifies treatment needs, engages in planning, information and referral to an evidence-based provider in the community with the goal to divert the client from jail or identifies appropriate services to meet identified needs for release to the community. The Social Worker I, will gain specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in mitigation for clients charged with crimes or delinquent offenses and create defense strategies with Assistant Public Defenders for the legal disposition of criminal or delinquent cases. The Social Worker II is the full performance level of professional social work providing clinical, public defense, forensic social work services in an indigent, criminal legal environment. This Social Worker II is the clinical expert on the defense team who provides expert clinical case consultation to Assistant Public Defenders to assist in developing a defense strategy for clients charged with criminal or delinquent offenses. This Social Worker II primarily works as a mitigation specialist who completes a biopsychosocial report prepared for court proceedings. This Social Worker completes clinical assessments, utilizes assessment tools, is able to formulate a diagnostic impression when needed or appropriate for litigation strategies. This Social Worker will gain specialized knowledge and skills in expert witness testimony. Candidates must be willing to work with the population of detained and or incarcerated individuals.

Requirements

Social Worker I: Education: Determined by the State Board of Social Work Examiners under the licensing requirements for Social Workers. Experience: None
Social Worker II: Education: Determined by the State Board of Social Work Examiners under the licensing requirements for Social Workers. Experience: Two years of experience providing clinical and therapeutic social work services through the application of the principles, methods and procedures of professional social work to clients requiring rehabilitative counseling.
Employees are required to be licensed as a licensed master social worker by the State Board of Social Work Examiners prior to appointment to a position in State service.
Employees are required to be licensed as a Certified Social Worker or Certified Social Worker-Clinical by the State Board of Social Work Examiners prior to appointment to a position in State service.
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
Employees are required to meet mandatory standards for continuing education as determined by the hiring department.
Employees of the Department of Juvenile Services must complete an approved training program in group counseling techniques.
Employees of the Department of Juvenile Services may be required to complete the Level I Counseling course certified by the Maryland AIDS Professional Education Center.
Employees of the Department of Juvenile Services are required to qualify for and successfully complete the Entry Level Training Academy operated by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.

Nice To Haves

Currently licensed as an LMSW or LCSW-C.
Experience working in a forensic social work setting.
Experience with at risk youth, adolescent development, trauma informed approaches.
Excellent writing skills and experience writing psychosocial assessments.
Experience testifying in court.

Responsibilities

conduct clinical assessments for mental health needs
prepare mitigation reports on as needed basis
provide testimony on as needed basis at hearings
conducting psychosocial evaluations for mitigation
connecting clients to evidence-based services
developing pretrial, sentencing, or alternative sentencing plans that integrate those needed services that restore or enhance the social and or psychosocial functioning of clients

Benefits

MOPD is a Board (Board of Social Work Examiners) Authorized Sponsor that is authorized to provide a continuing education program of continuing education units (CEUs).

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