PUBLIC DEFENDER - SOCIAL WORKER (4363-47)

Hamilton County, Ohio; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 54,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Public Defender Social Worker to join their holistic defense team. In this role, you will work closely with attorneys and support staff to provide essential social work services to clients facing legal challenges. Your empathetic approach will help clients navigate complex issues such as mental illness, homelessness, and substance use. You will conduct assessments, facilitate client engagement with service providers, and advocate for alternatives to incarceration. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of individuals in distress while working within a supportive and collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and experience in social work preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide forensic social work services and assess clients' needs.
• Collaborate with attorneys and maintain client case records.

Skills

Empathy

Communication Skills

Case Management

Cultural Competency

Emotional Intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology

Licensed Social Worker in Ohio

Tools

Biopsychosocial Assessments

Ohio Criminal Court System Database

Job description

Position: PUBLIC DEFENDER - SOCIAL WORKER (4363-47)

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Job Id: 4363-47

# of Openings: 1

Deadline to Apply: April 4, 2025

Work Location: Hamilton County Public Defender Office, 230 E. Ninth St., 3rd Floor

Pay Rate: Salary Range: $54,000 to $68,000 depending on experience and education.

Job Function Statement:

The Hamilton County Public Defender Office is seeking social work professionals who will be under the general supervision of the Social Work Director. They will collaborate with staff attorneys, investigators, support staff, and other professionals. The social worker will be part of a holistic defense team working with indigent clients charged with misdemeanors or felony offenses.

We are looking for individuals who are good listeners, empathetic, respectful, possess professional boundaries, and are motivated to help individuals in distress. Many clients face challenges such as mental illness, substance use disorder, homelessness, physical illness, lack of community support, and limited financial resources. The social worker will provide forensic social work services by assessing clients' needs and eligibility for services, which may require visits to the Hamilton County Jail. They will facilitate client engagement with appropriate providers and recommend alternatives to incarceration. The social worker will assist attorneys in gathering client information and presenting mitigation information in writing and in the courtroom. They will maintain knowledge of available programs and services to ensure the best outcomes for clients and may supervise interns/students from local universities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio preferred.
• Prior experience in social work, preferably associated with the legal system, counseling, and knowledge of social service agencies and programs.
• Must have a car, a good driving record, valid driver’s license, and current automobile insurance.
• Ability to establish rapport with clients, judges, court personnel, probation officers, attorneys, and support staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Illustrative Duties:

• Develop and maintain client case records. Track outcomes using established procedures.
• Interview clients in jail or in the community, and all pertinent parties, to compile history/information regarding client needs, challenges, and goals. Complete biopsychosocial assessments with clients.
• Obtain signed releases of information with clients and inform them of their right to confidentiality. Maintain client confidentiality as required by legal ethics and agency policies.
• Educate clients about the legal system and social work role as part of the holistic defense team.
• Investigate and propose positive alternatives to incarceration or other potential penalties faced by the client. Assist in identifying service needs and treatment gaps of clients.
• Maintain a working knowledge of social agencies and community service providers and an open line of communication with such agencies.
• Attend court hearings and other necessary meetings.
• Maintain open communication with attorneys and work with them on defense strategies and the ongoing needs of cases and clients.
• Perform other similar duties as may be designated by the Director, investigators, or staff attorneys.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The following are necessary to perform the duties of this classification. Items with * may be developed after employment.

Knowledge of:

Case management; interviewing; psychology and/or human behavior; sociology or social work; agency providers/programs*; federal and state regulations governing delivery of services specific to the area in which employed*; treatment team concepts; agency/institution practices and procedures*; public relations; Ohio criminal court system database*.

Skilled in:

Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills; emotional intelligence; cultural competency; public speaking; working knowledge of community services and resources; multi-tasking to meet deadlines.

Ability to:

Develop rapport with clients; be an effective advocate for clients; handle sensitive face-to-face contacts and inquiries; define problems; collect data; establish facts and draw valid conclusions; apply principles to solve problems dealing with a variety of variables; review and critique individual programming and make recommendations; establish and maintain good relationships with co-workers, attorneys, service providers, stakeholders, and court personnel; use statistical analysis; write accurate and meaningful mitigation reports; carry out instructions in written and oral form.