Job Description

Posting number: 10117147

Department: Social Worker Program

Division: Social Workers Program

Job classification: Social Worker

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Services, Mental Health, Social Services, Community and Social Services, Rehabilitation Services

Summary

The Law Offices of the Public Defender(LOPD) is recruiting a Social Worker to work in Carlsbad.

LOPD Social Workers ensure the delivery of defense oriented services throughout the state in support of a criminal defense team by developing plans for addressing client life situations that, if mitigated, may increase the opportunities to improve their lives. Provide alternatives to incarceration and sentencing through the criminal justice system.

***This position qualifies for a geographical pay differential of $4.00 hourly/$8,320.00 annually***

Our organization and mission:

As the state’s largest law firm, the Law Offices of the Public Defender represents low-income people facing criminal charges in New Mexico. With dedicated teams of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and office support, we guard individuals from injustice and work to address the underlying issues that bring clients into the criminal court system. In addition to representing individuals in criminal cases, we also advocate in our state legislature to protect the constitutional rights of all New Mexicans.

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For more information about living in Carlsbad, New Mexico, click here.

Be the Difference Beyond the Courtroom— Are you interested in helping support clients through resource coordination, alternative sentencing plans, and compassionate advocacy as a team member of the Law Offices of the Public Defender's Social Work Unit? This Social Worker position could be for you!

Primary Functions:

LOPD Social Workers ensure the delivery of defense-oriented services throughout the state in support of a criminal defense team by developing plans for addressing a client’s life situation that, if mitigated, may increase the opportunities to improve their lives. Provide alternatives to incarceration and sentencing through the criminal legal system.

Examples of duties

Click HERE to review a complete job description and the essential functions of this classification.

This classification may be required to report to a judicial partner’s building or office. Which may include Courthouses, District Attorney Offices, Detention Centers and/or Correctional Facilities. To perform the essential functions an incumbent in this classification may be required to successfully complete a 3rd party background check conducted by a judicial partner.

Knowledge of:

• Utilizing computer technology used for communication, data gathering and reporting; including the ability to work with databases and case management software
• Attention to detail and organization skills
• Ability to perform well under the pressure, have excellent time management and effective prioritization; of multiple deadlines;
• All Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point); automated spreadsheets, and databases in a Windows environment, and other standard office equipment.
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze complex information
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including listening skills
• Proficiency in writing, editing, and proofreading; including coherence, grammar, punctuation, structure, spelling, tone, clarity, and organization.
• Trauma informed and responsive practices;
• Understanding of the dynamics of substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness, interpersonal violence, and the impact on family and child development to develop service plans;
• Basic Understanding of American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria and its application to making appropriate referrals for clients to programs and services;
• Understanding of DSM-5 classification of mental health symptoms and diagnosis;
• Conducting and preparing competency screening reports to identify potential competency issues of the client and if further mental health forensic evaluation is needed;
• Conducting psychosocial assessment of clients assigned by attorneys to assist in plea negotiations, mitigating sentencing, and determining service needs. Provide pertinent information to attorney including treatment and service recommendations;
• Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of disenfranchisement and marginalization (race, class, gender and gender identity, ability-including mental health, sexual orientation) of individuals caught in the criminal legal system;
• Knowledge of local and statewide resources and services that will benefit clients specifically, substance use, mental health, housing;
• NASW Code of Ethics and its application to forensic social work;

Skills We Seek:

Analytical

• Perform advanced or specialized work that requires independence in the interpretation of policies, procedures, and the exercise of judgement in decision making.
• Analyzing processes and making recommendations for improvement;
• Analyzing the applicability of emerging trends and/or services to the Social Work Unit;
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and assess complex information;
• Identifying therapeutic, educational, vocational, social, and other resources to meet client, family, community, and justice system needs;

Planning

• Coordinating activities with other internal departments and/or external organizations;
• Preparing a variety of reports related to operational activities, including statistical analysis;
• Planning and implementing program components;

Relationships

• Ability to interface with all individuals in a courteous and respectful manner, and project positive support of all agency departments at all times;
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism;
• Working effectively with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the LOPD and criminal legal partners staff;
• Public Speaking
• Interview skills

Self-Management

• Working alone or with others with or without explicit directions, and without close supervision
• Organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments, from more than one manager, and with competing deadlines, and producing quality work
• Integrity; Motivation; Strong work ethic; Emotional Intelligence;
• Flexibility and ability to change plans with little notice
• Tracking clients progress until completion of the case

Benefits We Offer:

The Law Offices of the Public Defender offers a competitive benefits package that includes PERA retirement with employer contributions effective your first day, sick and annual leave accruals, 11 paid holidays, paid Bereavement Leave, flexible schedules which includes the option of teleworking and so much more! To see all benefits offered by the State of New Mexico, go here.

After successfully completing a one year probationary period our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.

Employees who complete their probationary period are eligible for two hours of paid Wellness Leave every week and 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, criminal justice, or social work and four (4) years’ experience in mental health and/or substance abuse counseling and treatment, or equivalent.
• Must be in good standing and have a current License to practice Social Work in New Mexico. Provisional license must be converted to full licensure with six (6) months of hire.
• Must have a driver’s license and be able to certify in Defensive Driving.
• Must maintain professional social work license in good standing and renew bi-annually with the New Mexico Social Work Board of Licensing and Regulation;

Supplemental information

Social work license is required by the Law Offices of The Public Defender.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Exempt (including Managers/Supervisors, Executive, Administrative, Professional Exempt Status): In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD’s Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding, classifications identified as Exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours worked over 80 hours in a pay period. These classifications are eligible for compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at an even (1:1) rate if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid-out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.

Geographic Pay Differential: This position may qualify for Geographic Pay Differential. Please refer to the LOPD website, Geographic Differential, for more information.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.