Social Service Advocate - Juvenile

County of Delaware; Media (Delaware County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to individuals facing loss of freedom in criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Social Service Advocate, Juvenile Unit, works under the Defender legal team to identify and address the social service needs of Defender clients.

This role coordinates services with Delaware County's Department of Human Services, drafts psychosocial reports, assists attorneys with client

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred in social work, counseling, criminal justice, or related field.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with people with mental illness and substance use issues preferred.
• Computer skills including case management software and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to public service and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and obtains appropriate forensic services for clients (placement, mental health, medical, educational supports).
• Coordinates services with the Department of Human Services to address treatment needs.
• Drafts psychosocial reports and assists attorneys with client communications and records.
• Develops and sustains relationships with community services and supports.
• Engages with client networks (family, friends, mentors) to support court readiness.
• Appears for court proceedings and monitors client progress through case pendency.
• Assists with re-entry into the community and transition to probation where needed.
• Collaborates with juvenile staff to ensure client needs are met.
• Contributes to data collection and analysis for program improvements.
• Completes special projects and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Resourcefulness

Creativity

Initiative

Discretion

Tact

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or related discipline

Tools

Case management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The office employs roughly 70 attorneys and staff to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. The office represents several thousand clients each year in the District Justice Courts, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Appellate Courts of Pennsylvania.Under the general oversight of the Public Defender, First Assistant Public Defender, Juvenile Unit Chief, and Social Services Chief, the Social Service Advocate, Juvenile Unit, is responsible for working at the direction of the Defender legal team in criminal, delinquency, and mental health proceedings to identify and address the social service needs of Defender clients. Among other tasks, the Social Service Advocate, Juvenile Unit:

Responsibilities

• Identifies and obtains appropriate forensic services based on the client's needs. Such services may include access to appropriate placement, mental health and medical services, educational opportunities, and other supports and services.
• Coordinates services with Delaware County's Department of Human Services and makes best efforts to ensure individuals' treatment needs are addressed in an attempt to divert them from the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
• Works with attorneys to coordinate client cases and advocacy, including drafting psychosocial reports, assisting in communication between attorney and client when necessary, preparing correspondence, reports, and memoranda suitable for use in court, obtaining necessary records, and relaying all case information to the attorney.
• Establishes and develops relationships with community services and potential supports, including, but not limited to, the local mental health authority, law enforcement, community supervision, placement supervision, and educational services.
• Establishes and develops relationships with support networks identified by the client, including, if appropriate, the client's immediate and extended family, as well as friends, mentors, and other supporters.
• Appears for court proceedings with the client and monitors the client's progress throughout the pendency of the case.
• Assists the client with re-entry into the community.
• Assists with the client's transition to probation and the development of appropriate conditions.
• Collaborates and coordinates with juvenile staff to ensure client needs are addressed.
• Assists in data collection and analysis.
• Completes special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master of Science in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related discipline preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working with people with serious mental illness and drug and alcohol issues preferred.
• Computer skills, including experience with case management software and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to public service.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, initiative, drive, tact, and discretion.