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Social Services Advocate- Legal Defender (0426)

Nature of Work

The Social Services Advocate works closely with attorneys in the Legal Defender Office to perform professional work of considerable difficulty in evaluating and investigating the circumstances that led to their client's involvement in the child welfare, criminal and juvenile justice and guardianship systems. The advocate will also perform some case management services; identifying and facilitating social and behavioral health services for the clients.

Under general supervision performs work of moderate difficulty in evaluating, investigating and managing the safety, well-being and needs of court appointed child and family, performs related duties as assigned.

Please note: This position is currently part time 28 hours per week with the potential to increase in the future.

Typical Duties

(Illustrative Only)

Accesses and reviews court, medical, psychiatric, etc., records for information pertinent to the case
Locates and interview family members, alleged incapacitated persons, social service providers, and any other significant parties involved
Reviews circumstances of alleged incapacitated persons or minors
Conducts fact and criminal mitigation investigation
Analyzes gathered information in accordance with laws governing dependency and mental health matters
Writes assessment investigative reports to members of the court with recommendations Conducts home visits
Attends child and family team meetings and individual education plan meetings
Investigates kinship placements
Supervises family visitation
Conducts fact and criminal mitigation investigation
Evaluates the necessity for social and behavioral services and facilitates services for children, family and mentally disabled
Reviews circumstances of alleged incapacitated persons or minors
Analyzes gathered information in accordance with laws governing dependency and mental health matters
Writes assessment investigative reports to members of the court with recommendation

Essential functions of this position include but are not limited to: driving, sitting; working with and around others; dealing with interruptions; repetitive motion (hand/wrist) for computer work; vision acuity (near-far) for routine office and customer service duties; color vision for reading maps; hearing and speech for ordinary conversation; finger dexterity for typing and paperwork.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in social work, behavioral science or related field and two years case management or counseling experience; OR

Associate's degree in social work, behavioral science or related field and three years case management or counseling experience; OR

Any combination of education, training and experience with demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

This position is safety sensitive.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must obtain an Arizona driver's license by date of hire and maintain it throughout employment.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of one year conducting field interviews of clients and family members surrounding delinquency, dependency, criminal and/or mental health related cases and/or experience in accessing behavioral health and other social services.

Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in social work or behavioral science and bilingual English/Spanish or English/Navajo.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of:

Principles and practices of case management
Federal, state, and local laws, policies, state statutes and administrative rules pertaining to dependency and mental health matters
Preparing and writing reports
Court policies and procedures
Conducting child and family investigations

Skill in:

Conducting home visits and investigations
Interviewing and counseling
Business English and report writing

Ability to:

Analyze complex child and family behavioral issues
Exercise professional level independent judgement
Objectively evaluate emotional situations
Write meaningful reports that will provide guidance to members of the court
Work with diverse population
Deal impartially with individuals of various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Maintain confidentiality
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, appointed department directors, staff, other agencies, the media and the general public
Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety
Follow written and oral instructions
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Coconino County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Employee Benefits

Coconino County offers a comprehensive employee benefits
package to regular employees working 30 or more hours per week that includes:

(Regular Part Time employees receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis. Temporary and Seasonal employees do not receive benefits. Elected officials are not eligible for vacation and sick leave.)