Criminal Justice Social Services Case Manager

County of Lancaster; Morgan Hill (CA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Lancaster seeks a dedicated professional to provide clients with psychosocial support services on behalf of staff attorneys of the Public Defender's Office during criminal matters. This role requires direct work with defense counsel to assess needs and inform case strategy.

You will connect clients to social services, gather records, testify when needed, and help develop disposition and sentencing plans aimed at reducing incarceration and recidivism while protecting client rights and

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Caseworker for Lancaster County or comparable agency.
• A bachelor’s degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences and three years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social service agency.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice and/or other related social sciences that provides the required knowledge, skills and ability to perform this job.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with Assistant Public Defenders ("APD") in the overall representation of clients within the criminal justice system.
• Assess client psychosocial needs at all phases of legal representation, including but not limited to areas concerning mental health, substance abuse, employment, education and housing.
• Under the direction of APDs, identify, assess and recommend sentencing alternatives to incarceration and prepare written reports identifying client needs and recommended courses of action.
• Gather treatment records from clients and providers to assist and prepare competency/criminal responsibility determinations by the Court.
• Connect clients to social service and community-based programs and agencies to address identified needs and testify in court about said needs and programs, if necessary.
• Aid attorneys in formulating and implementing successful disposition and sentencing plans for clients in the court system, ensure against unnecessary incarceration or supervision and reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration and supervision.
• Assists in preparation of mitigation investigation for serious cases, including capital homicide, on behalf of such clients.

Skills

Case management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Confidentiality and ethics

Bilingual English/Spanish desirable

Education

Bachelor's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or related social sciences

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Internet-based programs

Job description

County of Lancaster seeks a dedicated professional to provide clients with psychosocial support services on behalf of staff attorneys of the Public Defender's Office during criminal matters. This role requires direct work with defense counsel to assess needs and inform case strategy.

You will connect clients to social services, gather records, testify when needed, and help develop disposition and sentencing plans aimed at reducing incarceration and recidivism while protecting client rights and