Public Defender Social Worker

Judicial Branch; North Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Judicial Branch, Office of the Public Defender District 10, seeks a Social Worker to provide forensic and prospective social work services for indigent defense clients in criminal, juvenile and family court matters.

The position is full-time, time-limited and grant-funded with funding ending on June 30, 2027. The social worker collaborates with attorneys, advocates for clients, and participates in court settings as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or another human services field and one year of work experience.
• Management prefers candidates with experience using Enterprise Justice/Odyssey.
• Equivalent education/experience may qualify under State rules.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate recruiting statistics and form strategies to attract qualified applicants.
• Conduct client and family interviews; write reports for defense team.
• Identify and obtain services such as housing, mental health, medical, employment and education opportunities.

Skills

Written communication

Advocacy

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Agency Indigent Defense Services Division Public Defender 10 District Job Classification Title Public Defender Social Worker (S) Position Number 65029057 Grade JBFR

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $49,690.00 - $62,000.00. THIS POSITION IS TIME-LIMITED, GRANT FUNDED, FULL-TIME. FUNDING FOR THIS POSITION WILL END ON JUNE 30, 2027. The Office of the Public Defender, District 10, is seeking a social worker who is qualified in forensic and prospective social work services that are necessary to indigent defense lawyers representing adult and juvenile clients in criminal, juvenile and family court matters. The social worker would participate not only in the courtroom, but also to advocate for clients in their interactions with community professionals, a task many are unable to navigate without assistance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

• Evaluate Judicial Branch recruiting statistics/trends and form strategies to attract qualified applicants.
• Conduct client and family member interviews; and write reports of client and family meber interviews for other members of the defense team.
• Identify and obtain appropriate services based on the client's stated needs, such as access to housing, appropriate mental health and medical services, employment, educational opportunities and other support services.
• Work with attorneys to coordinate client cases and advocacy.
• Conduct a mini-psychological-social evaluation on the client for the representing attorney.
• Assist in communication between attorney and client when necessary.
• Establish and develop 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, community leaders, and religious communities.
• Appear for court settings with client and monitor progress of clients throughout the pendency of their cases(s).
• Assist in client transition to probation and development of appropriate conditions.
• Participate in visitation and other important meetings with the Department of Social Services and/or Department of Juvenile Justice to enable parents to properly parent their children.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies Knowledge of: criminal justice system; public and private organizations and community resources; alternative treatment and/or placement facilities both in and outside of North Carolina; and funding sources for alternative treatment and/or placement facilities. Skills in: excellent written, communication and advocacy skills; and proficiency with MC Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to: meet high demands and deadlines often associated with advocating for the rights of consumers within the criminal justice system; develop and conduct educational seminars; and work both independently and as a part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or another human services field and one year of work experience in a human services field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Management prefers candidates with experience using Enterprise Justice/Odyssey. Attach cover letter and résumé. Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers. The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.