5624 - Social Worker (Public Defender)

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Salary Grade: 10

Provides direct social services, counseling, and crisis intervention to individuals and families involved in the legal system which may include dependency, delinquency, and/or criminal cases, or in an office/community-based setting which may include outpatient clinics, hospital/ED, rehabilitation or detention facilities;

Conducts client screenings and assessments and evaluates data to identify causes of problems and determine a proper therapeutic approach to then make referrals to appropriate specialists/services congruently with established care plans;

Works collaboratively with other professional staff and related working professionals to help represent the client;

Provides ongoing assessment of clients emotional, behavioral, and social needs;

Provides crisis management counseling to clients or therapeutic crisis intervention and emergency services as appropriate and required for the clients needs;

Develops client re-entry plans or treatment plans and follow-up care programs and helps set individual and/or family-centered goals to meet client needs;

Provides focused support and counseling to clients and families dealing with the criminal justice system or the impact of bereavement and loss, trauma, chronic illness, physical disability, substance use, and/or behavioral health issues;

Participates in developing training modules to address needs in the community related to substance use, trauma, suicide prevention, overdose, and general mental health;

Informs concerned parties on the impact that psychosocial and cultural differences have on illness;

Evaluate the home environment and determine if client's needs are being met;

Maintains liaison with and refers clients to appropriate community resource agencies;

Maintains client records and prepares written recommendations and reports to responsible parties; Obtains treatment records and coordinates care with family, community providers, and others relevant to healthcare and community re-entry plans;

Maintains security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties;

Serves as an advocate on behalf of clients to coordinate services and information with community agencies, state agencies, social service systems, and courts;

May provide transportation to health, housing, and justice appointments;

May testify in a variety of judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.

• community resources and social service agencies;
• trauma-informed practice
• economic environments, cultural and community attitudes, and social mores;
• effects of illness and disability on the client's social and emotional functioning;
• DSM-5-TR criteria and appropriate intervention for each client/patient;
• HIPAA patient confidentiality in the management of information;
• counseling principles and practices;
• program eligibility requirements, payment sources, and the referral process;
• behavioral health systems locally and state-wide and criteria for accessing services on behalf of clients;
• child welfare systems and dependency process.

Skill in:

• analyzing and evaluating case history information;
• maintaining a high degree of professionalism and effective communication with individuals of varied
• social, economic, and cultural backgrounds, under stressful situations;
• directing clients and family members to appropriate services and community resources;
• counseling clients and family members;
• case management;
• assessing client's mental state and functioning levels utilizing various tools such as the DSM-5-TR
• utilizing electronic medical record systems to create, track, and report information and activities;
• establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with professional staff and community organizations;
• maintaining the confidentiality of client information and records;
• oral and written advocacy;
• communicating effectively verbally and written.

(1) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, behavioral or social services, or a closely related field as defined by the appointing authority at the time of recruitment.

OR:

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

1. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) from the AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, or ability to be licensed within the first six (6) months of hire.

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicants suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services review and approval of the candidates driving record.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.