Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a social worker to join the Mental Health Unit in the Criminal Defense Practice.

BDS is a public 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.

The mission of the Mental Health Unit is to advocate on behalf of BDS clients who experience mental illness and/or mental impairments such as brain trauma and/or developmental delay and who have been arrested. Social Workers in the Unit work with attorneys to provide comprehensive representation and advocate for a fair and just disposition of the case as well as the care and treatment a client needs and wants. This includes written and oral advocacy for clients, client assessments, provide crisis intervention, develop service plans, refer clients for services, communicate with service providers about clients' needs, and conduct visits to incarcerated individuals. 

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Supervising Social Worker, the Mental Health Unit Social Worker will provide clinical social work support and advocacy for BDS clients who have serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, or neurological disorders who have been arrested.

Responsibilities

• Partner with an interdisciplinary team in providing comprehensive legal representation for clients referred to the Mental Health Unit.

• Provide both written and oral advocacy for clients, particularly in seeking mental health treatment as an alternative-to-incarnation.

• Visit clients in correctional facilities and liaise with NYC Department of Corrections to resolve clients concerns and access to health and mental health treatment on Rikers.

• Visit and communicate with clients in the community and hospitals.

• Provide crisis intervention services to BDS clients with known mental health histories, as well as clients who present with symptoms of serious mental illness.

• Conduct clinical psychosocial assessment of clients' needs and develop service plans.

• Refer client to external resources and communicate with providers about clients’ needs.

• Obtain client records.

• Maintain case notes and case documentation in electronic case management and document management systems.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

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

• Two years of professional social work experience required, ideally in forensic setting.

• Working knowledge of community-based mental health systems and New York State Office of Mental Health protocols and regulations preferred.

• 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.

• Strong clinical assessment skills.

• Strong writing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues on an interdisciplinary team.

• Ability to take responsibility for a caseload of clients with varying needs and case related deadlines, ensuring timely action and intervention.

Position Information 

This is an exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. Mental Health Social Workers are required to work in the office three days per week and may be required to work additional days in person based on client needs and court appearances. Social Workers may work remotely on the remaining days.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $69,000-$92,880 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order 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 on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.   We recommend you submit your application by April 20, 2024.

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 H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.