AmeriCorps Holistic Advocate Missouri State Public Defender

Missouri State Public Defender; Carthage (MO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Living allowance

Segal AmeriCorps education award

Student loan deferment

Scholarships and waivers

Job summary

Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) seeks Holistic Advocates to join the Holistic Defense Services Program in collaboration with AmeriCorps Missouri. You will connect clients to essential resources and document their journeys, supported by experienced attorneys and a statewide team.

The role emphasizes building trust across diverse communities, facilitating access to services, and contributing to evidence-based improvements in Missouri’s criminal legal system. Training is provided.

Qualifications

• Empathetic, resourceful, non-judgmental, organized with a passion for public service.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong writing and advocacy skills are beneficial for the role.

Responsibilities

• Connect clients to a wide range of resources (housing, mental health, substance use treatment, transportation).
• Help clients obtain IDs and health insurance to reduce barriers.
• Uncover clients’ stories through interviews to provide a holistic perspective.
• Rally community support and collect letters of support to amplify clients’ voices.
• Build relationships with community partners to ensure access to needed services.
• Contribute to data-driven impact by tracking outcomes of the work.

Skills

Empathy

Resourcefulness

Non-judgmental attitude

Organizational skills

Strong writing skills

Advocacy skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Specialization in social work/psychology/sociology or related field preferred

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM: SEEKING MSPD AMERICORPS HOLISTIC ADVOCATE

Do you want to help make a difference in the lives of people involved in the criminal legal system? The Missouri State Public Defender's Holistic Defense Services Program has teamed up with AmeriCorps Missouri to pioneer a groundbreaking holistic approach to public defense. This approach tackles the root causes of our clients' involvement in the criminal legal system and helps to break the cycle of criminalization.

As a Holistic Advocate, you will play a vital role in growing MSPD's Holistic Defense Services Program, helping to shape the future of Missouri's criminal legal system. Your dedication and passion will drive the transformation of a system that values compassion, fairness, and the inherent worth of every individual. Holistic Advocates will step into Missouri communities and engage with local service providers to connect clients to essential resources and services – which can help us get clients out of jail and back to their families and communities. Advocates will also collaborate closely with attorneys to help share their clients' meaningful and powerful stories in their cases.

As a Holistic Advocate, you will join us in the fight for justice by:

• Connecting clients to a wide range of vital resources, from housing and mental health care to substance use treatment and transportation.
• Helping clients obtain essential documents and services, like IDs and health insurance, to help eliminate barriers and create more stability.
• Uncovering the untold stories of clients through in-depth interviews, delving into their backgrounds to provide a holistic perspective that truly represents their journey.
• Rallying support from their loved ones and community by engaging with family, friends, and support systems, while collecting impactful letters of support that amplify our clients' voices.
• Building relationships with community partners to break down barriers and ensure that clients have access to the support that they need.
• Embracing data-driven impact by collecting and analyzing valuable data to track the transformative effects of our work, paving the way for evidence-based change.

Holistic Advocates will join a passionate team that thrives on collaboration, as you work closely with attorneys, clients, and support staff in your local trial office. Plus, Advocates will gain invaluable guidance and extensive training from our regional and statewide Holistic Defense Services team.

Required Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. A specialization in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field will be favored.

Qualified candidates will be empathetic, resourceful, non-judgmental, organized, and will have a passion for public service. Candidates must have the ability to build rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and identities. Strong writing and advocacy skills will also be beneficial for this role.

Service Period

As part of the 2026-2027 AmeriCorps program, these positions are designed to span from 2026-8/31/27, with the possibility of re-enrolling for a second service-term. We are seeking candidates interested in serving full-time, but less than full-time opportunities may be available.

Living Stipend/Benefits

Three quarter-time members will receive a living allowance starting at $28,560, for the full years' service. Upon successful completion of their service, members are eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps education award of roughly $5,176.50.

All members are eligible for student loan deferment and
interest forbearance.

Many universities offer scholarships, application fee waivers, and other benefits to AmeriCorps members. You can find school-specific details on the Schools of National Service list.

Potential Placement Locations

MSPD has 33 trial offices across the state. The placement of the Holistic Advocate is flexible, and preferences will be discussed during interviews. MSPD is especially interested in placing Holistic Advocates in rural offices. Primarily seeking Moberly, Fulton, Rolla, Kirksville, Farmington, Portageville, Monette, and Carthage. Other locations across the state may be possible upon discussion.

After a BreezyHR application is received, you will be given next steps and information for AmeriCorps Portal account creation.