Social Worker - Legal Defender
About The Position
The Pima County Legal Defender's Office is seeking a skilled and dedicated social worker for its expanding Social Work and Mitigation Unit. The team provides client-centered, holistic defense to adults and juveniles facing criminal charges and adults involved in dependency proceedings. Social workers partner with clients and the defense team to address underlying issues connected to justice-system involvement, provide guidance on mitigation, treatment and community resources, rehabilitation, and sentencing alternatives, and advocate for clients in and out of court. The position provides direct services, counseling, crisis intervention, assessment, referrals, care coordination, and advocacy for individuals and families involved in the legal system. Work may take place in legal, office, or community settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals or emergency departments, rehabilitation facilities, and detention facilities. Assignments may vary with departmental needs and are communicated by a supervisor.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in a behavioral or social service field 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. Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.
- A valid driver license at the time of application and a valid Arizona driver license at the time of appointment.
- Successful review of the candidate’s 39-month Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Record for suitability to operate county vehicles; employment offers are contingent on Fleet Services review and approval of the driving record.
- Post-offer proof of required immunization(s) and/or tuberculosis screening.
- Qualifying education and experience must be documented in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application; a resume cannot replace the application.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct social services, counseling, and crisis intervention to individuals and families involved in dependency, delinquency, or criminal cases, in legal, office, or community-based settings.
- Conduct client screenings and assessments, evaluate information to identify causes of problems, determine appropriate therapeutic approaches, and refer clients to specialists or services consistent with care plans.
- Collaborate with professional staff and other working professionals to help represent clients.
- Continuously assess clients’ emotional, behavioral, and social needs.
- Provide crisis-management counseling, therapeutic crisis intervention, and emergency services as appropriate to client needs.
- Develop client re-entry or treatment plans and follow-up care programs, and help establish individual- and family-centered goals.
- Provide focused support and counseling to clients and families dealing with the criminal justice system or bereavement and loss, trauma, chronic illness, physical disability, substance use, or behavioral health issues.
- Participate in developing community training modules on substance use, trauma, suicide prevention, overdose, and general mental health.
- Inform concerned parties about the effects of psychosocial and cultural differences on illness.
- Evaluate home environments and determine whether client needs are being met.
- Maintain liaison with appropriate community resource agencies and refer clients to them.
- Maintain client records; prepare written recommendations and reports; obtain treatment records; and coordinate care with family, community providers, and other relevant parties for healthcare and community re-entry plans.
- Maintain the security and confidentiality of information encountered in assigned duties.
- Advocate for clients by coordinating services and information with community agencies, state agencies, social service systems, and courts.
- May transport clients to health, housing, and justice appointments.
- May testify in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
