Social Services Advocate - PDD Malden at Committee for… · US-MA-Mal…

Summary: The Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking applicants for two full-time Social Services Advocate positions in their Malden Office. The Social Services Advocate works as part of a multidisciplinary legal defense team to provide advocacy for adult criminal defendants, helping to achieve the best possible legal and life outcomes. Responsibilities: - Maintaining close contact with clients over the duration of their case to build strong working relationships - Conducting both brief and in-depth interviews with clients respecting their individuality and with cultural humility to obtain client histories; connecting with and interviewing collateral contacts - Performing needs assessments, developing treatment or service plans, referring clients to service providers, and making direct connections between clients and programs - Gaining comprehensive knowledge of statewide and local programming and services, and working collaboratively with community-based services that support clients - Collaborating with defense counsel to develop defense strategies and dispositional options which demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of our clients’ whole lives - Preparing and presenting courtroom testimony to describe services and dispositional alternatives arranged for the client - Preparing detailed and persuasive written advocacy for sentencing and mitigation purposes - Advocating for clients in a client-directed practice to facilitate best possible outcomes - Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in a social service field and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience - Must have access to insured, reliable and available transportation, and a valid MA driver's license - Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely - Experience working with individuals and families of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds - Knowledge of social, psychological, environmental, economic, legal, and medical factors that influence behavior - Understanding of social structures and institutional barriers that cause disparities, such as systemic racism and poverty - Culturally appropriate skills in client interviewing, assessment, case management, and treatment planning - Knowledge of public and private social services systems and resources - Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively orally and in writing - Proven ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team - Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the office and the service provider community - Ability to prioritize and manage multiple clients and responsibilities - Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet with clients, bring clients to programs, attend meetings, conduct collateral interviews, and handle emergencies Preferred Qualifications: - Knowledge of defense practice, the criminal legal system, and/or corrections is a plus - Bilingual abilities are a plus - A Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field is strongly preferred Required Skills: Client Interviewing, Case Management, Treatment Planning, Social Services Systems Knowledge, Forensic Case Management, Legal System Knowledge, Bilingual Abilities