Public Defender Social Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department:                         Public Defender Office                    

Sub-Department:                 N/A

Pay Grade:                           111     

FLSA Status:                        Exempt

Employment Status:           Full Time - Temporary

Reports to:                           Deputy Public Defender  

Supervises:                          N/A  

This job posting will be utilized to hire two (2) Social Workers. 

These two (2) Social Worker positions are grant funded for a period of one (1) year with the possibility of extension. 

These two (2) Social Worker positions will have the option for a hybrid work schedule after an initial six (6) months of successful work performance.   

Job Summary:

The Social Worker will assist the attorneys in the Public Defender Office (PDO) with gathering client information that may mitigate or otherwise impact a clients’ criminal case(s). Such information may include family history, work history, and other life history, including mental illness/IDD, drug and alcohol issues, trauma, housing, employment, physical health and disability, and/or chronic poverty. The Social Worker will present this information to the assigned attorney in support of a resolution of the clients’ case(s). The Social Worker will also assess the needs of clients and assist clients by making referrals to appropriate services.

Essential Job Functions: 

Under the general oversight of the Public Defender, and their direct supervisor, the Social Worker is responsible for working at the direction of the assigned attorney in criminal proceedings to identify and address the social service needs of PDO clients, including, but not limited to:
 

• Interviewing clients;
• Identifying and obtaining appropriate services based on the client’s stated needs. Such services may include but are not limited to access to housing, appropriate mental health and medical services, employment and educational opportunities and other services and supports;
• Making contact with client’s attorney prior to any contact with client and making necessary accommodations to include the attorney in meetings if requested by the attorney;
• Work with attorneys to coordinate client cases and advocacy, including providing to the attorney a mini-psychological-social work up on the client, assisting in communication between attorney and client when necessary, preparing correspondence, reports, and memorandum suitable for use in a court, obtaining necessary records, and relating all case information to the attorney;
• Establishing and developing relationships with community services and potential supports, including, but not limited to, the local mental health authority, law enforcement, community supervision, the housing authority, adult education services, and community leaders;
• Establishing and developing relationships with supports identified by the client, including, if appropriate, the client’s immediate and extended family as well as friends, mentors and other supporters;
• Appearing in court with clients and monitoring progress of clients throughout the pendency of their case(s);
• Collaborating and coordinating with jail staff to ensure client needs are addressed;
• Participating in outreach;
• Assisting in data collection and analysis; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements to Perform the Work:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
• Master’s degree in Social Work preferred (but not required) from an accredited college or university.

Mission Statement: To provide essential services that respond to community needs and promote well-being, while maintaining a financially sound foundation.

We are always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this job application!

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT/ISSUES WITH APPLYING: 

If you are having technology issues with the application or with uploading your resume and/or cover letter please reach out to KeldairHR Customer Support at support@keldairhr.com or Cumberland County Human Resources at humanresources@cumberlandcountypa.gov. 

EMAIL CONFIRMATION: 

If you do not receive a confirmation email within minutes of your job application submission, please check your email junk and or spam folders.   

Medical Benefits:

• Capital Blue Cross Medical Insurance 
  • Health Savings Account
  • Wellness program with wellness incentives
• Capital Blue Cross Vision Insurance 
• United Concordia Dental Insurance

Retirement Benefits:

• County Retirement Pension 
  • 5% minimum pre-tax contribution required, with the option of increasing your contribution over 5% up to 15% post-tax
  • Fully vested after 5 years of credited service
  • Normal Retirement Options:
    • Age 55 with 20 years of credited service
    • Age 60 with any amount of credited service
• Voluntary 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Military Time Buy Back Options

Paid Time Off:

• Vacation
  • 10 days per year, accrued per pay period (Non-Exempt) 
  • 15 days per year, accrued per pay period (Exempt)
  • Increase for both Non-Exempt and Exempt of 5 days per year after 2 years of service
• Personal
  • 3 Personal days per year, pro-rated based on starting date
• Sick
  • 5 Sick days per year, pro-rated based on starting date
• 12 Paid County Holidays
  • No waiting period to receive paid holidays

Additional Benefits:

• Educational Assistance
  • 80% of cost of tuition and books up to the annual IRS limit per calendar year (after 6 months of Full-Time Employment)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – certain eligibility requirements must be met
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Resources for: Childcare, Eldercare, Legal, Financial, and Coaching
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance