Public Defender Social Worker

North Carolina Association of Official Court Reporters; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Public Defender, District 10, Wake County, NC seeks a Social Worker to assist indigent defendants across criminal, juvenile, and family court matters. The role involves courtroom participation, client advocacy, and coordinating services with mental health and housing agencies.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in social work or related field and at least one year of relevant experience; proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or another human services field plus one year of related experience.
• Experience with court-related social work is preferred.
• Strong writing and communication abilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate recruitment data and help attract qualified applicants.
• Interview clients and families; prepare reports for the defense team.
• Coordinate services such as housing, mental health, medical, and education supports.
• Hold mini-psychological-social evaluations for the attorney.
• Assist in communicating between attorney and client and monitor progress in court settings.

Skills

Written communication

Advocacy

Multidisciplinary teamwork

MS Office suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Tools

Enterprise Justice/Odyssey

Job description

## Public Defender Social WorkerApply: Wake County, NC: Full time: Posted Yesterday: End Date: October 16, 2026 (13 days left to apply): JR-125475**Agency**Indigent Defense Services**Division**Public Defender 10 District**Job Classification Title**Public Defender Social Worker (S)**Position Number**65029057**Grade**JBFR**About Us**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**Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:* 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.**Supplemental and Contact Information****INSTRUCTIONS:** Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will **not**be accepted. Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings. It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. **\\*NOTE\\***Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application *before*submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted. *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 US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.Charmaine J. Leeks NC Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Division https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/carees **Minimum Education and Experience**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.## **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.**