Caseworker

The Position The current vacancy is in the Public Defender's Office, Ukiah.
The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur.
Under general supervision, as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary legal defense team, provides skilled casework services to clients of the Public Defender and Alternate Defender Offices.
Performs difficult and sensitive professional-level case management; meet with clients, complete social histories, assess clients’ needs and develop service plans which may include a variety of social services referrals to appropriate community resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.
This part-time position is JAG grant funded funding available through February 2025, with options to possibly be renewed through June 2026.
Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.
Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español.
Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.
Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Works as a member of the defense team to develop mitigation strategy and identify a lawful disposition and plan for the client’s rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration to the community with recommendations supported by sociological research and community resources.
Receives client assignments from attorneys; maintains ongoing communication with defense attorneys and contributes to defense strategy by providing both supportive evidence and a detailed, documented history of the defendant and mitigation themes.
Interviews clients at various locations including in office, community locations, and/or in a correctional setting; educates clients and their family members about the criminal process, and assists them in overcoming barriers to success; works to build rapport and maintains close contact with client while case is pending.
Conducts client assessments; identifies client’s risks, needs, unique circumstances and issues, including but not limited to, intellect, development, mental health, substance abuse, and trauma.
Provides case management services to develop and facilitate clients’ participation in release plans; referrals to appropriate community support services such as treatment programs, housing, employment, education, and entitlements; advocates on behalf of client; engages client and provides support and assistance to the client in negotiating and securing placement with services.
Collects additional information through interviews of family members and other significant people in the client’s life; analyzes the significance of the information in terms of impact on development; finds mitigating themes in the client's life history.
Compiles a comprehensive psycho-social history of the client based on an exhaustive investigation; gathers medical, mental health, employment, and educational records and documentation; drafts persuasive alternative sentencing and treatment plans to appropriate educational, substance abuse, and mental health placements/programs.
Attends key court dates to support clients and their family members; supplies information to the court, and/or provides testimony.
Engages in community education and outreach to help inform the public of criminal justice issues and services offered by the Public Defender and Alternate Defender’s office.
Maintains a network of contacts within the criminal justice system to facilitate and expedite services for clients; advocates for clients and justice-involved population in multi-disciplinary meetings and county work groups; and for client-centered criminal justice system policies and protocols.
Stays current on criteria for reliable diagnosis and assessment of behavioral health disorders; eligibility criteria and referral process for treatment courts and community treatment programs and relevant juvenile justice/criminal justice legislation; participates in in-service and seeks other outside training relevant to forensic social work.
Assesses and interprets data to facilitate communications between multiple stakeholders such as attorneys, medical providers, and other representatives from agencies involved in cases.
Manages a caseload of juvenile and/or adult clients; maintain client records, case files, and program data; prepares correspondence, written reports, and memoranda for clients as directed by attorneys.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an accredited four year college or university with a major in social welfare/social work, social/human services, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or a closely related field.
Substitution: A year-for-year equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the knowledge skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job may be substituted for the above education requirement: Associate’s degree, or equivalent, in social welfare/social work, social/human services, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or a closely related field; and two (2) years of experience providing client advocacy, outreach work, basic counseling, assessments and referrals or similar services in a community services agency or similar setting.
OR: Four (4) years of full time, professional experience providing social work, client advocacy, outreach work, basic counseling, assessments and referrals or similar services in a community services agency or similar setting.
Licenses and Certifications: Valid Driver’s License Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: Current laws, rules and regulations related to juvenile and adult criminal justice systems.
Criminal justice system, including basic criminal proceedings, competency standards, plea options, requirements of probation, etc.
Protocols and methodology for assessment, evaluation, and documentation of physical, psychological, and mental development and mental health and substance use disorders.
Dynamics of individual and group behavior, human growth and development, family relationships; medical-psycho-socio-economic and cultural factors affecting individuals and families; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation.
Best practice modalities for mental health, substance abuse, sex offense, and other behavioral health disorders.
Principles and techniques of effective interviewing.
Principles and practices of organization, workload management and time management.
Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, and English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Basic principles of State, Federal and local public assistance programs and policies.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
Skill in: Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with members of the general public, other County departments, State and Federal agencies, and members of the defense team.
Motivational interviewing and maintaining proper social casework records and documentation.
Effective interviewing, active listening, giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, effectively interpreting information obtained.
Working constructively within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services.
Interacting professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients.
Analyzing data, interpreting and applying directions, rules, policies, procedures and regulations, and developing appropriate responses.
Organizing work, establishing and setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of directions.
Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal staff, citizens, and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Read, understand and follow complex laws, rules, regulations and policies.
Apply critical thinking skills to be able to recognize and evaluate problems and find solutions.
Prepare and maintain records in an accurate, detailed, organized, confidential and efficient manner.
Compile, analyze, evaluate, and present complex information.
Analyze situations quickly, objectively and accurately to determine the appropriate course of action.
Exercise sound, independent judgment within established guidelines.
Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments with moderate direction.
Recognize the relevance and significance of obtained facts.
Work with increasingly difficult cases/clients including clients with dual diagnosis, potentially dangerous clients or legally complex cases.
Relate appropriately and work effectively with persons in emotionally charged or stressful settings, emergencies or crises.
Work effectively with a variety of human values and socio-economic backgrounds; respecting cultural differences.
Assess, evaluate and determine situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Effectively engage clients in the problem solving process.
Use sound judgment to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.
Effectively handle problems involving several variables in non-standardized situations.
Use a computer to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Selection Procedure & Other Important Information Important Application Information: It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
You must complete all sections of the application.
A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application.
Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address.
Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative.
Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan.
Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards.
Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered.
Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form.
The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above.
A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.
Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.
234.
6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known.
You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request.
Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.
This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job.
To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website.
Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.
The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer