Job Description

About NDS:

Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a national nonprofit public defense organization that pioneered the holistic defense model more than 30 years ago. Founded in Harlem, NDS was built to challenge the traditional public defense model by centering clients, communities, and interdisciplinary advocacy. Today, NDS operates community-based offices in Harlem; the Bronx; Detroit; and Hays County, Texas, supported by a unified national infrastructure that allows local teams to deliver high-quality, responsive representation rooted in the communities they serve.

Across all locations, NDS provides client-centered legal representation through interdisciplinary teams composed of attorneys, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. Our approach emphasizes early and ongoing engagement with clients—before arrest where possible, throughout the life of a case, and beyond case resolution—while addressing the legal, social, and systemic challenges that impact long-term stability. NDS is committed to treating every client with dignity and respect and to advancing justice for individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized and over-policed.

Core Purpose of the Role:

The Social Worker is an integral part of the defense team who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized people and communities. The Social Worker contributes to a collaborative environment and culture of excellence in alignment with our values. At NDS Detroit, how we represent our clients is as important as individual case outcomes, and our ideal Social Worker approaches the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment.

Responsibilities

• Embrace NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence by providing vigorous representation with energy and enthusiasm to the residents of Wayne County.

• Work closely and collaboratively with team members to advocate for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration for clients. This advocacy includes:

• Gathering factual mitigation through interviews and obtaining records;

• Analyzing records;

• Researching and recommending alternatives to incarceration;

• Writing pre-pleading memoranda to judges and prosecutors seeking reduced sentences and ATIs.

• Work closely with clients to:

• Make appropriate referrals to address clients’ social service needs (drug treatment, mental health treatment, housing and other benefits);

• Assist clients in navigating social service agencies;

• Advocate on behalf of clients to social service agencies.

• Advocate orally and in writing on behalf of clients to judges, programs, and Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys.

• Work primarily at NDS’ main office when not in Court.

Qualifications

Required

• A master’s degree in social work combined with valid clinical social work licensure or certification in Michigan.

• A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity and social justice issues and the Wayne County communities.

• Experience advocating for clients in a direct client services context.

• Must be comfortable in a court environment.

• An understanding of social casework objectives, principles and methods; casework management and organization; community resources; interviewing techniques and problem-solving methodology.

• An ability to quickly build relationships across varying identities, income levels, races and ethnicities.

• A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload and multi-task in a very fast-paced environment.

• Must possess excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and communication skills

• Energy, enthusiasm, and ingenuity to gather and develop information from a broad spectrum of sources, ranging from community residents to county, state, and federal agencies.

• An ability to work cooperatively in a team setting and independently with minimal oversight.

• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite to include Microsoft Word and OneDrive.

Preferred

• Experience in a public defender office or related criminal justice agency is a plus.

• Bilingual (Spanish or Arabic) individuals are encouraged to apply.

• Experience working in an interdisciplinary setting.

• Experience in a courtroom setting.

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with company match, robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided. The salary range for this position is $57,311 – 93,418.

SALARY RANGE BASED ON TRANSFERABLE EXPERIENCE

1-5 Years

$57,311 – 62,679

6-10 Years

$64,153 – 69,456

11 – 15 Years

$71,278 – 76,192

16 Years +

$76,835 (about $1k for each additional year)

The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325.

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-confirming, and gender fluid people to apply. 

Min

USD $57,311.00/Yr.

Max

USD $95,286.99/Yr.