Mercer County
Social Service Advocate
Mercer County is currently seeking a Full Time Social Service Advocate
for the Public Defenders Office.
Please visit www.mercercountypa.gov under the County Employment Opportunities section to learn more about this position and how to apply.
Deadline to Apply: 10/12/2024 recblid ckeubm9ztkbdbiufi6ytzogv2jy3nd
County Of Mercer Employee Job Description
Department: Mercer County Public Defenders Office
Position Title: Social Service Advocate
Pay Classification: P&A 06 (Entry $23.21 - $32.82/hr.)
Reports To: Public Defender
Date of Job Description Creation/Update:
Overall Descriptions of the Position:
Provides work and support at the direction of the Public Defender legal team in criminal, delinquency, and mental health proceedings to advocate for Public Defender clients identifying and addressing their social service needs.
Minimum Position Requirements:
Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related human services degree.
Minimum of 1 year of experience working with local or state social services delivery systems for juvenile and adult offenders or similar work is required.
Basic knowledge of legal terminology as it relates to the criminal justice system and the court system a plus.
Ability to handle highly sensitive, confidential and/or legal issues.
Knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Products (Basic Word and Excel understanding and use required)
Professional verbal and written communication.
Ability to communicate and work with various other county and state departments and organizations.
Works independently with minimal supervision.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Principles of social work (e.g. mental disorders, human development, social policy, developmental disabilities, cultural factors, etc.) in order to meet social work responsibilities in providing detention/disposition/sentencing alternatives.
Biopsychosocial (BPS) aspects of mental, developmental, physical disabilities, etc. in order to formulate rehabilitation plans as alternatives to incarceration/placement for juveniles and adults facing detention/disposition/sentencing.
Scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies and community resources to formulate rehabilitation plans as alternative to detention/placement/incarceration as a means of reducing recidivism and incarcerations costs.
Recognize treatment interventions such as risk assessment, sex offender assessment, substance abuse interventions, etc., in order to formulate rehabilitation plans.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics in order to ensure professional competence.
Communicate effectively in order to facilitate recommendations on rehabilitation plans as alternatives to incarceration/placement for juveniles and adults facing detention/disposition/sentencing.
Write clear, legible, accurate and concise reports in order to enhance alternatives to incarceration/placement.
Establish the confidence and cooperation of Public Defender attorneys, support staff and clients in order to enhance the quality of professional working relationships.
Testify in court effectively on recommended rehabilitation plans to be considered by the Court as alternatives in detention/disposition/sentencing hearings.
Understand the biopsychosocial of juvenile/adults that the Public Defenders Office represents.
Garner the confidence of the Court, adult/juvenile probation and law enforcement in recommending.
Be tactful, patient, alert, exhibit emotional stability, have keenness of observation and have an empathetic understanding of juveniles/adults facing the justice system.
Work in a team environment.
Duties:
The Social Service Advocate shall work directly with Public Defender attorneys and shall assist these attorneys who represent juveniles/adults in delinquency and criminal cases.
Social Service Advocate services shall include an assessment of client needs at all phases of juvenile delinquency and criminal proceedings.
Clients needs may include evaluations and recommendations regarding alternatives to placement/incarcerations by identifying juveniles and adults with substance abuse problems and mental illness and connecting juveniles/adults with local treatment programs.
The Social Service Advocate shall be expected to prepare written reports to identify housing, educational, mental health or other needs of juvenile and adult clients, connect clients to local social service agencies and testify in court about client needs as requested by the Public Defender attorney. The goal is to create successful disposition and sentencing plans for juveniles and adults in the court system, ensure the juveniles and adults are protected from needless placement/incarceration or supervision, and reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration.
How to Apply:
Please send a letter of interest, salary history, resume, and completed standard County of Mercer Application (available online www.mercercountypa.gov) for employment to:
Mercer County Human Resources
125 South Diamond Street, Suite 17
Mercer, PA 16137
Deadline to Apply: October 12, 2024