Master of Social Work from an accredited Graduate School of Social Work
New York State License in Social Work (LMSW or LCSW)
Minimum of five years of public defense social work experience
Experience working with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities
Knowledge of trauma, substance use disorders, and mental health diagnoses
Responsibilities
Assist in evaluating and developing social work practices and protocols
Provide supportive and culturally conscious supervision of social workers
Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to monitor workload and referrals
Assign cases and coordinate on-call schedules for social workers
Facilitate team meetings for collaboration and learning
Monitor compliance with the internal case management system
Review and provide feedback on supervisees' advocacy skills
Foster communication between attorneys and social workers
Implement best practices for client meetings, including with incarcerated clients
Maintain a positive work environment
Carry a limited caseload when appropriate
Collaborate on social work onboarding and professional development
Ensure new social workers attend necessary trainings
Assist in supervising re-entry services and related recordkeeping
Train new attorneys and advocates on client issues and referrals
Provide coverage for co-supervisor as needed
Benefits
Professional development opportunities
Collaborative team environment
Focus on racial justice and inclusivity
Supportive supervision and mentorship
Engagement with diverse communities
Full Job Description
The office seeks a highly competent supervisor to co-supervise the forensic social work unit. The forensic social work unit is comprised of a dynamic team of social workers and client advocates who work with the Trial Division, the Youth Advocacy Unit, the Re-entry Unit, and the Homicide/Major Crimes Unit. Through a client-centered representation lens, the social work unit is responsible for conducting client assessments, making referrals to treatment programs and social service providers, drafting pre-pleading and pre-sentencing memoranda, and working with attorneys at various phases throughout the duration of the criminal case. The office employs a team-based client-centered representation model that incorporates outstanding interdisciplinary work and strategic decision-making.
Essential duties include:
Assist in evaluating current social work practices and developing new protocols and strategies to respond to changing needs.
Provide professional, supportive, equitable and culturally conscious direct supervision of social workers in the unit.
Schedule one on one meetings on a regular basis with supervisees to evaluate workload, monitor referrals and conference cases.
Assign cases and coordinate monthly social worker on-call schedules.
Schedule regular team meetings where social workers can support and learn from other unit members and presenters as appropriate.
Monitor compliance with Legal Server, the office's internal case management system.
Review, provide constructive feedback and workshop supervisees' written and oral advocacy.
Foster collaboration and regular communication between team members, including between attorneys and social workers as cases progress.
Implement and ensure maintenance of NYCDS' best practices, including creating processes to promote in-person client meetings with incarcerated clients.
Maintain a positive and professional work environment
Carry a limited caseload when appropriate.
Collaborate with NYCDS Training Director to implement social work onboarding for new employees, as well as, addressing the professional development needs of both new and current social workers by Identifying national and local training opportunities for unit members.
Ensure that new social workers attend trainings as needed or mandated.
Collaborate with social work supervisor in supervising NYCDS re-entry services including criminal court re-entry services and discharge planning for clients being released from Rikers. May be responsible for recordkeeping and reporting for relevant re-entry grants.
Assist with training new attorneys and advocates in identifying client issues, trauma-informed interviewing, and making appropriate social work and community referrals.
Provide coverage for co-supervisor and team when needed.
Qualifications:
Master of Social Work from an accredited Graduate School of Social Work
New York State License in Social Work (LMSW or LCSW)
Minimum of five years of public defense social work experience and/or experience working in and with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities targeted by carceral systems.
Knowledge and expertise on the effects of trauma, substance use disorders, mental health diagnoses, and family dynamics.
Candidates must also demonstrate:
Passion for racial justice work.
A commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the unit and the office at large.
Strong engagement, interpersonal, teaching, communication, and analytical skills.
An interest in mentorship with an eye towards professional development and growth of forensic social workers.
Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate, and connect with people with various backgrounds, gender and sexual identities, ethnicities, experiences, and areas of expertise.
Knowledge of current forensic social work best practices.
Effective verbal and written advocacy skills.
Supervisory and leadership skills and the ability to both provide and receive intentional and constructive feedback in group settings and one-on-one.
As a member of the leadership team, offer and exchange ideas in meetings with peers and direct reports with diplomacy.
Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters.
Spanish language speaker is a plus.
Salary Range: $90,000- $120,000 commensurate with experience.
If interested, please e-mail cover letter, resume, and two writing samples.
