Social Worker

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time social worker position. The social worker will be stationed in Los Angeles, Riverside, or Santa Ana, but travel across the district may be required. The Federal Public Defender’s Office is committed to the client-centered pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent individuals who are accused or convicted of crimes. Job Duties: Social workers provide intensive clinical case management services and advocacy for clients at all stages of their criminal case. Core job duties include preparing clinical needs assessments, mitigation materials and reports, biopsychosocial evaluations, and re-entry plans; providing client-centered support, crisis intervention, and case management assistance; meeting with clients, including with those who are incarcerated; working with mental health experts, community treatment providers, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and other local detention facilities, pretrial services and probation officers, the court, and prosecutors; collaborating with attorneys and other staff regarding client needs, including on an after-hours and emergency basis; supervising interns/externs; participating in our Collaborative Courts (CASA and STAR).

Requirements

All applicants must have an MSW and at least 2 years of post-masters experience.
Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.
This is an in-office position.
Telework is not available.
Varying hours including nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.
A background investigation is required as a condition of employment.
In line with current appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described here: https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary
Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to forensic social work or social justice in the criminal justice system
must have superior oral and written communication and advocacy skills
must be able to develop a rapport with people of different backgrounds
can work well independently and in teams

Nice To Haves

Experience with forensic social work, mental health and addiction treatment, trauma, and social service systems is a plus.
The ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish is preferred, but not required.
This position may require extensive travel.

Responsibilities

preparing clinical needs assessments, mitigation materials and reports, biopsychosocial evaluations, and re-entry plans
providing client-centered support, crisis intervention, and case management assistance
meeting with clients, including with those who are incarcerated
working with mental health experts, community treatment providers, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and other local detention facilities, pretrial services and probation officers, the court, and prosecutors
collaborating with attorneys and other staff regarding client needs, including on an after-hours and emergency basis
supervising interns/externs
participating in our Collaborative Courts (CASA and STAR)