Job Opening for Social Work Supervisor

The Louisiana Justice Coalition (LJC) seeks to ensure access to qualified, appropriately resourced counsel for all indigent persons accused of crime in order to prevent wrongful convictions, over-incarceration and excessive sentencing. In collaboration with the Plaquemines Office of the Public Defender, the Plaquemines Community Defense Project protects the constitutional right to counsel and ensures the respect and dignity of each practitioner and every client by improving the delivery of public defense services and creating a receptive climate for positive change.

Job Description and Qualifications:

We are seeking a licensed Social Worker to develop and lead a pilot Social Services Division in the Plaquemines Office of the Public Defender. The Social Work Supervisor will work with the Special Projects Advisor at the Louisiana Public Defender Board and the District Defender in Plaquemines Parish to design and develop the Social Services division of the local Public Defender Office, and will provide direct services to both adult and juvenile clients.

The Social Work Supervisor will work with attorneys to provide professional, intensive, and therapeutic social work services to indigent clients represented by the Office of the Public Defender through an assessment of client needs and the provision of local services at all phases of the criminal justice process including pre- and post-conviction. Client needs may include evaluations/recommendations for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration by identifying youth and adult clients with drug addictions, substance abuse problems and mental illness and connecting the clients with therapy, medications and/or treatment programs. 

The Social Work Supervisor will be expected to prepare psycho-social evaluations to identify housing, educational, or other needs and connect clients to local social services. The Social Work Supervisor will also work in coordination with a full-time Community Outreach Coordinator.

The candidate must be a licensed Social Worker and have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Experience working with local social services delivery systems in the Plaquemines community is highly valued. As appropriate, experience with social services delivery systems outside Louisiana will be considered, as will knowledge of the local criminal justice procedures following arrest. The ideal candidate will possess supervisory and administrative experience and will have demonstrated skill in conducting clinical-setting interviews, in determining appropriate referral services/options, and in securing placement for clients with those resources. Skill in using various computer software database, spreadsheet, word processing, and network programs is also considered.

The position is full-time. The salary is $50,000 and there is a benefits package.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please send: a cover letter explaining your interest in the position; a resume; a school transcript if you are less than five years out of school; a writing sample of at least five pages; and a list of three references to the Louisiana Justice Coalition at (preferred), fax at 504-943-1905, or mail at 3301 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA, 70117.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted through June 21, 2009. LJC is an equal opportunity employer.