Mental Health Forensic Social Worker
If you are looking for a challenge, have a sense of adventure, and want to make a difference, then come to Big Bend country in far west Texas.
The Far West Texas Regional Public Defender defends people accused of crimes in state court who cannot afford a lawyer. We cover 5 counties in in an area twice the size of Maryland. The office is in Alpine, the gateway to Big Bend.
Mental illness is a significant factor for many of our clients, and the covered counties are among the poorest in the State. No social workers currently practice in the region.
This is a new position. Our current social worker has created a program that now has too much work--the need is just too great. Duties will include, but are not limited to:
Identifying clients with mental-health issues. Creating and implementing assessment procedures. Conducting home and jail visits to assess supportive needs and other relevant issues. Providing referrals to appropriate service providers and accompanying to intake appointments to advocate. Training of legal staff on identification, referral, and support needs.
Obtaining, reviewing, and auditing client medical and mental-health records, school records, developmental growth records, and employment records, if available and as needed, for mitigation and advocacy purposes.
Preparing advocacy and mitigation packets for lawyers.
Testifying in court at hearings and at trial.
Helping clients successfully complete probation through aid with medication compliance, continuing access and utilization of community services during the term of probation, and compliance with the terms of probation.
Creating outreach and informational materials. Working with community leaders and the criminal-justice system to educate, to identify resources, and to advocate for new resources.
Social Work degree from school of social work accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education; Master’s degree preferred.
Licensed by the State of Texas to practice Social Work or eligible to apply for Texas license.
Valid driver’s license, valid car insurance, ability to use a personal vehicle.
Spanish helpful but not required.
$50,000 per year, 40-hour work week. Benefits include health insurance (employer pays entire premium for employee), retirement contributions to the Texas County & District Retirement System, and up to $5,000 per year for outside LCSW supervision.
Email resume, cover letter, and permission to run criminal background check to: james@farwesttxrpd.org
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
