BDS is a multi-disciplinary defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues. BDS is a public defense office where staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities in Brooklyn.

BDS is accepting applications for a proactive social worker to join the Adolescent Representation Team to work with attorneys representing youth in Family Court and Supreme Court.

Responsibilities

• Partner with attorneys to provide comprehensive legal representation and determine case strategy to adolescent clients, under 19 years old who have been arrested and are facing charges against them in Family Court and Supreme Court.

• Responsible for a caseload of clients with varying needs and case related deadlines, ensuring timely action and intervention.

• Provide both written and oral advocacy seeking alternatives to placement and incarceration for adolescent clients and/or to reduce placement and incarceration.

• Conduct visits to detention centers, placement facilities and jails to meet with clients.

• Home visits as needed.

• Conduct psychosocial assessments, develop service plans, and refer clients for services.

• Communicate with outside providers about clients' needs, including but not limited to the Department of Probation, ACS, and Department of Education (DOE).

• Advocate at Probation Adjustment Interviews, ACS conferences and at all points of contact with outside agencies throughout a case including pre filing and post disposition.

• Provide crisis intervention when needed.

• An understanding that these obligations may entail unpredictable working hours or responsibilities after 5pm.

Qualifications

• New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or master’s degree in Social Work, or willing and eligible to become licensed within six months of starting the position.

• Experience working with youth, and forensic settings strongly preferred.

• The ability to work as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice and maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained while working on the case.

• The desire and dedication to analyze all aspects of a client’s life that bear upon his/her current circumstance.

• The ability to engage with family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, employers, and other potential mitigation/defense witnesses to obtain information regarding the client’s background and/or evidence to support the defense of the case or mitigating circumstances.

• Ability to write detailed and persuasive reports that include mitigation as part of the pre-pleading and post-conviction phase of the client’s case.

• Knowledge of the psychological, behavioral, and neurological diseases and disorders set forth in the DSM-5 and intergenerational trauma.

• Strong clinical assessment skills

• Desire to provide emotional support and guidance to the client.

• Excellent writing, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.

Position Information

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with occasional need for external visits/meetings outside those hours. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn, but also anticipates visits to clients in jail, home visits and speaking to family in other locations as needed. At this time, BDS allows partial remote work for this position.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range starting at $69,000-92,880, based on education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan. To support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org