What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker position at Harris County?
The Harris County Office of Managed Assigned Counsel (MAC) supports attorneys in treating clients with dignity and respect through high-quality legal and holistic representation to persons accused of a crime who are unable to afford an attorney. The MAC social worker(s) assist attorneys representing clients faced with misdemeanor criminal charges in Harris County through the development of plans for addressing life situations that, if mitigated, may improve a client’s opportunity for improving their lives and providing alternatives to incarceration and sentencing through the criminal justice system.
Social workers will make outside, face-to-face and collateral contact with clients, witnesses, case managers, and law enforcement as required. Gathers mitigation evidence and review client's file. Social workers will connect clients to available social, housing and community services as that is a crucial component of holistic defense and in our effort to reduce our client's re-exposure to the legal system. Social workers will maintain a persistent awareness of available community resources, as well as maintaining routine communication with key contacts in the community of social work resources in Harris County. Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and/or the supervisor.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Salary:
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Social workers will make outside, face-to-face and collateral contact with clients, witnesses, case managers, and law enforcement as required. Gathers mitigation evidence and review client's file. Social workers will connect clients to available social, housing and community services as that is a crucial component of holistic defense and in our effort to reduce our client's re-exposure to the legal system. Social workers will maintain a persistent awareness of available community resources, as well as maintaining routine communication with key contacts in the community of social work resources in Harris County. Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and/or the supervisor.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducts interviews for intake, assessments, referrals, and to collect collateral history. Assess clients to determine physical symptoms, psychological functioning, family history, substance abuse to obtain a holistic picture. Gather and review information to include, but not limited to, psychological, medical and education records.
- Identify therapeutic, educational, vocational, social and other resources to meet client, family, community and justice system needs. Assist client with transportation to providers.
- Prepare psychosocial assessment for each client referred by assigned attorneys to assist in plea negotiations, as well as, mitigating sentence for clients in court, determine services needed and provide report to attorney to include treatment recommendation to present to the court. Testify in court upon request of attorney to present mitigating circumstances.
- Review competency reports to determine if further mental health forensic evaluation is needed, which include face-to-face interview to include bio-psychosocial history, connection to experts, and programs.
- Conducing referrals for clients to community resources and treatment. Submit applications to substance abuse programs, housing and mental health services tracking acceptance/denials.
- Maintain accurate and detailed reports, case records, progress notes and related management information in the case management program (e.g. Legal Server)
- Lead projects as delegated by their supervisor (training, internship, resource gathering, etc). Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and/or the supervisor.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Education and Experience:This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
- Master’s degree in Human Services, Social Sciences or Social Work from an accredited law college or university.
- Four (4) years of experience in mental health and/or substance abuse counseling or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
- KNOWLEDGE: Basic knowledge of local government services is desired. Client orientation, interview skills, writing skills, problem solving, emotional stability, attention to detail, and time management. Be familiar with DSM-IV diagnosing for mental health symptoms and diagnosis.
- SKILLS: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; presents a positive demeanor, works well with the public, court personnel, attorneys, judiciary including those detained in jails and prisons, and clients’ families and other staff. Skills in performing data entry/retrieval, documenting, reporting, multi-tasking, meeting deadlines, and working under pressure.
- ABILITIES: Must have organizational, problem solving, basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
- Multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages, in particular Spanish.
- Licensed in clinical social work (preferred).
- Regular Full-time | In-person position
- Monday – Friday | 40 hours per week
- Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department.
Salary:
- $70,000 - $80000 Annually
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- This job work environment operates in a professional office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as IT equipment, computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, fax machines and filing cabinets is routine.
- The job work environment/location may vary and operate off site: ex. other county facilities, by court, off-site client visits, jail visits, outreach locations, office location may change depending on the assignment.
- Travel may be required to visit clients or for off-site meetings.
- The physical demands associated with this job includes occasional sitting, standing, walking, lifting, bending and moving of objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Full-time in-person position with occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department.
- This position is in-person and predominantly in an office environment where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, photocopiers, scanners, fax machines and filing cabinets is routine.
- There is occasional travel to other Harris County and non-county facilities to assist with needs.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Ongoing interview | Position will remain open until hire
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Salary : $70,000 - $80,000
