Social Worker - Legal Defender

Pima County • Tucson, AZ

11h • $52,291 - $73,174

About The Position

The Pima County Legal Defender's Office is expanding our Social Work and Mitigation unit and seeking a skilled and dedicated Social Worker to join our team of professionals representing adult and juvenile clients. Our team provides client-centered, holistic defense for adults and juveniles facing criminal charges or adults in the dependency process. Our Social Work and Mitigation team is an integral part of the defense team and provides expert guidance in the areas of mitigation, treatment and community resources, rehabilitation, and sentencing alternatives for our clients. The team works in partnership with clients to offer support and advocacy to address the underlying issues that led to a client’s involvement with the justice system. We are seeking energetic and dedicated social workers to work as part of our criminal defense team and advocate for our clients both in and out of court. For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at: www.pima.gov/pds.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a behavioral or social service, or a closely related field as defined by the appointing authority AND two years of experience in client, family and child behavioral services, child welfare and needs or crisis intervention counseling.
• Valid driver license is required at time of application.
• Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct social services, counseling and crisis intervention to individuals and families involved in the legal system which may include dependency, delinquency, and/or criminal cases or in an office/community-based setting which may include outpatient clinics, hospital/ED, rehabilitation or detention facilities
• Conducts client screenings and assessments and evaluates data to identify causes of problems and determine proper therapeutic approach to then make referrals to appropriate specialists/services congruently with established care plans
• Works collaboratively with other professional staff and related working professionals to help represent the client
• Provides on-going assessment of clients’ emotional, behavioral and social needs
• Provides crisis management counseling to clients or therapeutic crisis intervention and emergency services as appropriate and required for the client’s needs
• Develops client re-entry plans or treatment plans and follow-up care programs and helps set individual and/or family centered goals to meet client needs
• Provides focused support and counseling to clients and families dealing with the criminal justice system or the impact of bereavement and loss, trauma, chronic illness, physical disability, substance use, and/or behavioral health issues
• Participates in developing training modules to address needs in the community related to substance use, trauma, suicide prevention, overdose, and general mental health
• Informs concerned parties on impact that psychosocial and cultural differences have on illness
• Evaluates the home environment and determines if client's needs are being met
• Maintains liaison with and refers clients to appropriate community resource agency
• Maintains client records and prepares written recommendations and reports to responsible parties
• Obtains treatment records and coordinates care with family, community providers, and others relevant to healthcare and community re-entry plans
• Maintains security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties
• Serves as an advocate on behalf of clients to coordinate services and information with community agencies, state agencies, social service systems, and courts
• May provide transportation to health, housing and justice appointments
• May testify in a variety of judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings

Benefits

• Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, and retirement plans that contribute to long-term financial security.
• Pima County recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy and wellness programs that prioritize employee well-being.
• Employees benefit from opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs.
• In addition, a County-wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of being accountable, respectful and ethical as well as providing great customer service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees