Public Defender Social Worker

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evaluate Judicial Branch recruiting statistics/trends and form strategies to attract qualified applicants.
• Conduct client and family member interviews; and write reports of client and family meber interviews for other members of the defense team.
• Identify and obtain appropriate services based on the client's stated needs, such as access to housing, appropriate mental health and medical services, employment, educational opportunities and other support services.
• Work with attorneys to coordinate client cases and advocacy.
• Conduct a mini-psychological-social evaluation on the client for the representing attorney.
• Assist in communication between attorney and client when necessary.
• Establish and develop relationships with community services and potential supports, including, but not limited to, the local mental health authority, law enforcement, community supervision, the housing authority, adult education services, community leaders, and religious communities.
• Appear for court settings with client and monitor progress of clients throughout the pendency of their cases(s).
• Assist in client transition to probation and development of appropriate conditions.
• Participate in visitation and other important meetings with the Department of Social Services and/or Department of Juvenile Justice to enable parents to properly parent their children.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

HumanResources@nccourts.org