Starting Compensation:

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• Provide clients with psychosocial support services on behalf of staff attorneys of the Public Defender's Office during the course of legal representation of criminal matters.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Direct supervision received from the Chief Public Defender, with oversight from the First Deputy Public Defender.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Work directly with Assistant Public Defenders ("APD") in the overall representation of clients within the criminal justice system. 
• Assess client psychosocial needs at all phases of legal representation, including but not limited to areas concerning mental health, substance abuse, employment, education and housing. 
• Under the direction of APDs, identify, assess and recommend sentencing alternatives to incarceration and prepare written reports identifying client needs and recommended courses of action. 
• Gather treatment records from clients and providers to assist and prepare competency/criminal responsibility determinations by the Court.
• Connect clients to social service and community-based programs and agencies to address identified needs and testify in court about said needs and programs, if necessary. 
• Aid attorneys in formulating and implementing successful disposition and sentencing plans for clients in the court system, ensure against unnecessary incarceration or supervision and reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration and supervision.
• Assists in preparation of mitigation investigation for serious cases, including capital homicide, on behalf of such clients

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Meet with and interview clients in and out of jail, along with relevant witnesses, to gather information and to assess client's psychosocial history and development.
• Act as liaison and contact person for the Public Defender's Office with various mental health, social service and community-based programs and agencies; maintain an accurate case tracking system for clients with primary mental health needs. 
• Gather and maintain various records (mental health, social service, counseling and treatment, medical, school, etc.) to assist with assessment, treatment and service planning, as well as disposition and sentencing plans.
• Prepare written summaries, special reports and memos regarding past and potential social service and treatment options, as necessary.
• Assist APDs and Investigators with identifying, coordinating and securing relevant witness testimony, if necessary.
• Under direction of an APD, identify, coordinate and facilitate prison re-entry plans and services when appropriate, including any treatment placement for clients, working closely with other County agencies such as Probation and Parole, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Children and Youth and Domestic Relations.
• Collaborate with and assist any expert witnesses, including death penalty mitigation specialists, providing them with necessary documentation and/or accompanying experts to client evaluations, if necessary.
• Maintain current knowledge base of best practices and relevant developments, including principles, techniques, methods and resources, in social service programming, jail diversion, treatment courts, prison re-entry programs, and forensic treatments and strategies.
• Attend meetings and/or relevant training sessions as required.
• Collect and maintain data specific to client referrals to County Human Service agencies, focusing on those ultimately opened for services. Track client recidivism for establishment of database to determine efficacy of collaborative interventions. Consult quarterly with Chief PD for Grant reporting purposes.   
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender and/or his designee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Two years of experience as a Caseworker for Lancaster County, or comparable agency.
• A bachelor’s degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences and three years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social service agency.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice and/or other related social sciences that provides the required knowledge, skills and ability to perform this job.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Commitment to providing a high level of professional, confidential and ethical service with compassion and energy to indigent adults charged with crime and to juveniles in delinquency proceedings.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and the ability to engage with and establish rapport with diverse client population; ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive legal information.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining regular and effective communication with attorneys.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate facts, evidence and related information and engage in creative thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple agencies, including mental health providers, community-based resources and court related agencies and personnel.
• Exceptional organizational skills, complex problem-solving abilities and the capability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while under deadlines.
• Knowledge of and experience with the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the local social service and criminal justice systems is highly valued.  
• Computer literacy, typing and skill in using various computer software, including Microsoft Word and Excel and internet-based programs.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) capability is desirable.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Meeting the criteria for "driver" designation under the Lancaster County Transportation Policy and compliance with "Authorized Driver Guidelines" under same policy; PA State Criminal history background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is moderately sedentary in nature, except in the context of driving a motor vehicle in the course of employment, no special demands are required. 
• Requires regular local travel and significant time spent in Lancaster County Prison

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.