Position Description: The Social Worker will primarily work with SJP’s clients, both during incarceration and throughout reentry, to assist them with navigating benefits and services in DC. The Social Worker will also work with SJP’s special education attorneys to assist them with case needs, hearing preparation, and advice. A majority of the Social Worker’s time will be spent meeting with clients and assisting them with obtaining resources in the field. The Social Worker will regularly consult with and advise attorneys on their cases.
The Social Worker responsibilities include:
Supporting Clients to Facilitate Case Work
· Communicate consistently and clearly with clients via phone, email, text, and in person.
· Identify barriers that are impeding a client’s ability to engage in their legal case.
· Complete non-legal tasks to further clients’ legal cases (e.g., identifying resources, attending legal and non-legal resource intake meetings with clients, scheduling medical appointments, applying for public benefits, assisting with daycare or housing or other non-legal needs).
· Locate and provide information to clients about community resources.
· Provide community trainings with SJP attorneys.
· Attend community organization meetings, stakeholder meetings, and other events as needed.
Support Attorneys in Case Work
· Consult and advise attorneys on case work and client needs.
· Request, track, obtain, and review records held by external entities.
· Observe meetings and hearings and prepare written reports for attorney use when needed.
· Communicate with attorneys about information that affects case work.
Supervise Social Work Interns
· Identify, hire and directly manage one to two Social Work interns during academic terms.
· Assign cases to Social Work interns and regularly review case progress with the intern and attorney assigned to the case.