Make a difference! Become a Defender!
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking a dedicated Social Worker/Social Services Advocate to join our team. The Social Worker/Social Services Advocate position is a part of the social service team that works collaboratively with attorneys in the Behavioral Health Unit to provide comprehensive and holistic legal representation to our clients within the criminal justice system. Responsibilities include preparing in-depth, comprehensive mitigation reports of the life histories of clients based upon documentation and interviews. In addition, our Social Workers/Social Service Advocates focus on connecting clients with services at all stages of the criminal justice process by developing individualized, community-based treatment plans to focus on a person’s underlying needs and challenges. This position provides detailed recommendations/progress reports to attorneys and connects our clients to needed services and supports. This position serves as an active partner in the Defender Association’s efforts to obtain the most favorable legal outcome for our clients which may include pre-trial/sentencing mitigation reports, court-approved alternatives to incarceration, and linkages to effective community-based services.
Client Management & Support: Manage a caseload of clients who are defendants in pending criminal matter and assist defense counsel and the client throughout all phases of the criminal prosecution. Conduct in-person interviews with incarcerated clients as well as frequent court appearances. Provide support, as needed, for Assistant Defenders by appearing in court to provide testimony and social work interventions.
Investigation & Mitigation: Investigate and gather all documentation relevant to the defense or mitigation of the client’s case including education, employment, medical, treatment, psychological, military, prison, DHS involvement, and any other relevant information. Prepare detailed client social summaries, re-entry plans, treatment plans, and mitigation memorandums/reports to identify and humanize the client’s life circumstances in a manner likely to have a meaningful impact on the client’s legal case.
Community Resources & Referrals: Identify community resources conducive to a client’s needs, refer clients to such programs, advocate for their connection to services, and provide follow up services. Assist with the development of community resource information and sharing same with unit colleagues and Defender Association staff. Cultivate relationships with community partners and stakeholders to foster increased alternatives for re-entry and treatment options.
Administration & Documentation: Prepare written reports/memoranda of client communications, referrals and work product to be forwarded to and made a part of the legal file, and/or discussed with the assigned attorney. Maintain statistical tracking of client outcomes and work activities. Document all work on behalf of each client in office-wide database.
Additional Duties: Other duties as assigned, including becoming cross-trained on civil commitment hearings.
Education: Bachelor’s degree is required. B.S.W. or M.S.W., is preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 2-years of direct client-service experience in a social worker or case manager role, preferred. Working knowledge of the adult criminal justice system, preferred. Substantive knowledge of local community-based resources, including behavioral health treatment, housing assistance, and re-entry services, is preferred.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and conduct trauma-informed interviews with clients from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or incarceration. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to draft compelling mitigation reports.
Organization Skills: Very good organizational skills and be proficient in multi-tasking.
Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to travel to various courthouses, state hospitals, community placements and community settings. May have to travel to local and non-local prisons on occasion.
Benefits & Perks
Comprehensive Benefits: Affordable medical care options plus employer paid vision, dental, life and long- term disability insurances
Generous Time Off: 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to all federal holidays
Wellness Initiatives: Dedicated, separate sick leave policy alongside organizational programming to support your physical and mental health
Family Support: 10 weeks of paid parental leave
Retirement: Generous retirement savings plan with Employer Match
Commuter Benefits: Free Septa All Access Key card
Union Membership: This role is represented by AFSCME, District Council 47, Local 3190
PSLF: We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
Culture: Meaningful, mission-driven work within a supportive, learning-focused, and collaborative environment.
Please apply online with resume and cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Follow us @PhilllyDefenders (Twitter, Instagram & TikTok) and on LinkedIn.
The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
