Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Social Services Advocate - PDD Roxbury
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Overview
The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking applicants for a full-time Social Services Advocate position in the Roxbury Defender’s Unit. The Social Services Advocate works as an integral part of the defense team, collaborating with attorneys, investigators, and other defense staff to obtain the best possible legal and life outcomes for clients. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. Our Values DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We strive to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, with a commitment to meeting their individual needs. We endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as core values and maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) ensure representation of a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) provide a respectful work climate that supports success; and (3) promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. AGENCY OVERVIEW CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when required by the state or federal constitution or a statute for a person who cannot afford one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The clients we represent are diverse across many contexts and bring various cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This creates a need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and language proficiencies, among other protected characteristics. OFFICE OVERVIEW The Roxbury Defenders’ Office, founded in 1971, provides legal services to Roxbury residents who are not adequately represented. The office is located at 10 Malcom X Boulevard in Roxbury and serves clients in the Suffolk Superior Court and in Roxbury, Dorchester, and West Roxbury divisions of the Boston Municipal Court. The office emphasizes community engagement and partnership to assist clients navigating the criminal legal system. POSITION OVERVIEW The Social Services Advocate (SSA) works as part of a multidisciplinary legal defense team to provide zealous advocacy to adult criminal defendants, aiming for the best possible legal and life outcomes. The SSA collaborates with attorneys, investigators, support staff, retained experts, law students, and interns. The SSA identifies social and clinical issues related to the client’s life before and after court involvement, adhering to attorney-client confidentiality and working under supervision of the Social Services Advocate Director and the Attorney in Charge. The SSA conducts bio-psychosocial interviews and assessments, social history investigations, forensic case management, advocacy within court and related systems, and treatment and sentencing planning, including report writing and, when needed, testimony. Social services intervention occurs at all stages of the court process from arraignment through resolution and post-conviction. Responsibilities
Social Services Advocate responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Maintaining close contact with clients to build strong working relationships; Conducting both brief and in-depth interviews with clients and collateral contacts, with cultural humility; Performing needs assessments, developing treatment or service plans, and referring clients to service providers; Gaining knowledge of statewide and local programming and services and coordinating with community-based services; Collaborating with defense counsel to develop defense strategies and dispositional options; Preparing and presenting courtroom testimony describing services and dispositions arranged for the client; Preparing detailed written advocacy for sentencing and mitigation; Advocating for clients in a client-directed practice to facilitate best outcomes; Other duties as assigned. Minimum Entrance Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a social service field and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience; Must have access to insured, reliable transportation and a valid MA driver’s license; Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely. A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field is strongly preferred. Please submit a writing sample along with your application. Qualifications / Skills
Experience working with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds; Knowledge of social, psychological, environmental, economic, legal, and medical factors influencing behavior; Understanding of social structures and institutional barriers that cause disparities (e.g., systemic racism and poverty); Culturally appropriate skills in client interviewing, assessment, case management, and treatment planning; Knowledge of public and private social services systems and resources; Effective oral and written communication skills; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the office and service providers; Ability to prioritize and manage multiple clients and responsibilities; Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet with clients and attend meetings; Knowledge of defense practice, criminal legal system, and/or corrections is a plus; Bilingual abilities are a plus. EEO Statement The Committee for Public Counsel Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net. Job Details
Job : Community and Social Services Agency : Committee for Public Counsel Services Schedule : Full-time Shift : Day Job Posting : Sep 29, 2025, 8:57:15 PM Number of Openings : 1 Salary : 59,300.00 - 95,896.00 Yearly If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra Debow-Huang - 617-482-6212 Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking applicants for a full-time Social Services Advocate position in the Roxbury Defender’s Unit. The Social Services Advocate works as an integral part of the defense team, collaborating with attorneys, investigators, and other defense staff to obtain the best possible legal and life outcomes for clients. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. Our Values DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We strive to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, with a commitment to meeting their individual needs. We endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as core values and maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) ensure representation of a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) provide a respectful work climate that supports success; and (3) promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. AGENCY OVERVIEW CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when required by the state or federal constitution or a statute for a person who cannot afford one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The clients we represent are diverse across many contexts and bring various cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This creates a need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and language proficiencies, among other protected characteristics. OFFICE OVERVIEW The Roxbury Defenders’ Office, founded in 1971, provides legal services to Roxbury residents who are not adequately represented. The office is located at 10 Malcom X Boulevard in Roxbury and serves clients in the Suffolk Superior Court and in Roxbury, Dorchester, and West Roxbury divisions of the Boston Municipal Court. The office emphasizes community engagement and partnership to assist clients navigating the criminal legal system. POSITION OVERVIEW The Social Services Advocate (SSA) works as part of a multidisciplinary legal defense team to provide zealous advocacy to adult criminal defendants, aiming for the best possible legal and life outcomes. The SSA collaborates with attorneys, investigators, support staff, retained experts, law students, and interns. The SSA identifies social and clinical issues related to the client’s life before and after court involvement, adhering to attorney-client confidentiality and working under supervision of the Social Services Advocate Director and the Attorney in Charge. The SSA conducts bio-psychosocial interviews and assessments, social history investigations, forensic case management, advocacy within court and related systems, and treatment and sentencing planning, including report writing and, when needed, testimony. Social services intervention occurs at all stages of the court process from arraignment through resolution and post-conviction. Responsibilities
Social Services Advocate responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Maintaining close contact with clients to build strong working relationships; Conducting both brief and in-depth interviews with clients and collateral contacts, with cultural humility; Performing needs assessments, developing treatment or service plans, and referring clients to service providers; Gaining knowledge of statewide and local programming and services and coordinating with community-based services; Collaborating with defense counsel to develop defense strategies and dispositional options; Preparing and presenting courtroom testimony describing services and dispositions arranged for the client; Preparing detailed written advocacy for sentencing and mitigation; Advocating for clients in a client-directed practice to facilitate best outcomes; Other duties as assigned. Minimum Entrance Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a social service field and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience; Must have access to insured, reliable transportation and a valid MA driver’s license; Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely. A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field is strongly preferred. Please submit a writing sample along with your application. Qualifications / Skills
Experience working with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds; Knowledge of social, psychological, environmental, economic, legal, and medical factors influencing behavior; Understanding of social structures and institutional barriers that cause disparities (e.g., systemic racism and poverty); Culturally appropriate skills in client interviewing, assessment, case management, and treatment planning; Knowledge of public and private social services systems and resources; Effective oral and written communication skills; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the office and service providers; Ability to prioritize and manage multiple clients and responsibilities; Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet with clients and attend meetings; Knowledge of defense practice, criminal legal system, and/or corrections is a plus; Bilingual abilities are a plus. EEO Statement The Committee for Public Counsel Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net. Job Details
Job : Community and Social Services Agency : Committee for Public Counsel Services Schedule : Full-time Shift : Day Job Posting : Sep 29, 2025, 8:57:15 PM Number of Openings : 1 Salary : 59,300.00 - 95,896.00 Yearly If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra Debow-Huang - 617-482-6212 Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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