Objectives Summary
***This position qualifies for a geographical pay differential of an additional $3.25 hourly/$6,760.00 annually***
Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.
LOPD Social Workers ensure the delivery of defense oriented services throughout the state in support of a criminal defense team by developing plans for addressing client life situations that, if mitigated, may increase the opportunities to improve their lives. Provide alternatives to incarceration and sentencing through the criminal justice system.
Essential Functions
- Perform advanced or specialized work that requires independence in the interpretation of policies, procedures, and the exercise of judgement in decision making.
- Obtain a holistic understanding of client need based on an interview, assessment of medical and mental health and functioning (including screening for competency referrals), substance use, and family and collateral history.
- Obtain and review relevant information to include, but not limited to, psychological, medical, and education records.
- Apply understanding of the dynamics of substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness, interpersonal violence, and the impact on family and child development to develop service plans.
- Provide services and collegial interaction reflective of a working knowledge of holistic defense and trauma responsive service provision.
- Conduct and prepare competency screening reports to identify potential competency issues of the client and if further mental health forensic evaluation is needed.
- Refer clients to community resources and treatment. Submit applications to substance abuse programs, housing, and mental health services noting acceptance/denials, utilizing agency prescribed databases for effective tracking.
- Prepare psychosocial assessment of clients assigned by attorneys to assist in plea negotiations, mitigating sentencing, and determining service needs. Provide pertinent information to attorney including treatment recommendations.
- Identify therapeutic, educational, vocational, social, and other resources to meet client, family, community, and justice system needs.
- Utilize familiarity with DSM-5 used for classification of mental health symptoms and diagnosis.
- Discuss the ‘client’s mental state with the corrections ‘facility’s service providers as appropriate.
- Provide constant follow-up with the client to get into a program while mitigating decreased jail time sentence or plea negotiation.
- Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate client files, data entry, referrals, program intake, and other related documents for the care of clients, ensuring compliance with agency standards.
- Track the ‘client’s progress until completion of the case.
- May serve as a technical lead on standard assignments or as a team member on large scale assignments or projects.
- Assist with emergency walk-in referrals for services such as housing, access to medications, inpatient/outpatient programs.
- Identify and notify supervisor and Director of gaps and needs in the medical/mental health service delivery system, which, if addressed or strengthened, would provide effective treatment and service options for clients, family members, and the community at large.
- Ensure compliance with LOPD Policies and Procedures, the Social Work Code of Ethics, and the LOPD Code of Conduct. Willing to work to support the overall mission of the organization.
- Treats colleagues with respect and addresses ethical concerns in interactions, relationships and/or communications directly with involved parties.
- Report conflicts of interest and safety concerns IMMEDIATELY to the Supervisor and the Social Work Director.
- Update client and attorney on status of service plan(s) implementation
- Identify and secure transportation options to assist with transport of clients to external systems and referral sources. Communicate with referral program staff to ensure client has arrived for intake/admission. If necessary, pick up medications from the pharmacy and deliver them to the client prior to the client’s departure to a residential facility.
- At the request of assigned attorneys, provide professional written and/or verbal testimony in court to present mitigating circumstances.
- Collaborate with unit staff, legal team members, and outside referral sources through training and networking and providing training within the scope of expertise.
- Based on experience and/or observation, make recommendations to the Supervisor and Director which, when implemented, may strengthen outcomes and procedures of the Social Work unit.
- Provide guidance to Case Managers, Peer Support Specialists, and volunteers and/or interns providing services at the LOPD.
- Attend community meetings and committees on behalf of and support the LOPD as requested by the program Director.
- Actively participate in Social Work Unit and other meetings and initiatives as requested by the Supervisor or Social Work Director.
- Actively seek opportunities for continuing education to enhance content expertise.
- Abide by confidentiality standards required by LOPD, State, and Federal statutes.
- Maintain professional social work license in good standing and renew bi-annually with the NM Social Work Board of Licensing and Regulation.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.