State of Colorado
Social Worker – State of Colorado
Join to apply for the
Social Worker
role at
State of Colorado .
Department Information
Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is a top organization in the nation specializing in delivering indigent criminal defense. It operates as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees across 21 Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel, providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate.
How To Apply Please email your
resume and cover letter
to: Carolina Gomez, Carolina.Gomez@coloradodefenders.us no later than
January 6, 2026
11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time). Your credentials should address how your skills and experience meet the qualifications for the position, and your cover letter should highlight your interest in this position and working for the Office of the State Public Defender. (Please note: Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.)
Benefits Of Working For OSPD
6 Health Plans – Cigna & Kaiser options
Basic Vision Insurance – included with medical plans
Dental Insurance
State Paid Life Insurance
State Paid Short-Term Disability
FSA – Healthcare and Dependent Care
HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
Generous Paid Time Off
11 paid holidays
Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
Colorado PERA
401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans
In-house clinical supervision for Social Workers working on their LCSW
For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit www.copera.org. Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://www.coloradodefenders.us/.
Description Of Job We are recruiting to fill one vacant Licensed Social Worker position working with clients charged with criminal offenses; this is a youth-focused position assigned to our Denver Office.
The Licensed Social Worker is the first level within the social worker series wherein employees are oriented to the role of mitigation, case management release planning, and forensic social work in a criminal public defense system; they apply relevant techniques, methods and/or theories of the profession within that role and learn to apply their social work practice within the policies, procedures, rules and regulations specific to the Colorado State Public Defender.
Public Defender Social Workers serve as part of the defense team and are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality. Social Workers perform duties and assume responsibility for case assignments under the specific direction, instruction and guidance of a defense attorney.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct assessments and compile psychosocial histories to develop recommendations concerning pretrial release, detention, case preparation, alternative placements, treatment options, conditions of probation or diversion, and sentencing and post-sentencing options.
Conduct assessments to identify physical or mental health issues, substance abuse or other patterns potentially influencing the client’s development, personality or behavior; document and interpret symptoms of mental and behavioral impairment to assist the defense in developing case strategies.
Collect social and family histories through interviews and document review, including highly sensitive and confidential information; identify psychosocial influences and patterns in the client’s development and behavior including sociocultural and economic status and behavioral health issues.
Assist in obtaining and reviewing relevant records, evaluations or reports; analyze the significance of information relevant to the client’s circumstances and case; assist the defense team in documenting and organizing digital and physical files of information collected.
Assist the defense team in identifying medical or mental health experts to further examine, evaluate and testify regarding the client’s physical or mental health issues; assist in interpreting evaluation findings.
Serve as a collaborative member of the defense team: consult with attorneys on the appropriate approach to the case; maintain regular and timely communications with the team; provide support to the client; and advocate for appropriate options for the client.
Participate in pretrial and sentencing hearings, prepare reports, and provide additional support as requested by the defense attorney.
Keep current on statewide resources available and relevant to client needs such as treatment programs and alternative placements; conduct research necessary to ensure resources are current.
Attend multi-agency and multi-disciplinary staffing meetings regarding the client.
May supervise and mentor student interns enrolled in a graduate-level social work education program.
Requires frequent travel within the State of Colorado.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university educational program in social work.
Licensure to practice social work (LSW) in the State of Colorado within 90 days of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Training or experience in a criminal defense system.
Experience working with children, teenagers, youth and adult clients.
Supplemental Information In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Non-Discrimination The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please ADARequest@coloradodefenders.us
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Social Worker
role at
State of Colorado .
Department Information
Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is a top organization in the nation specializing in delivering indigent criminal defense. It operates as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees across 21 Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel, providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate.
How To Apply Please email your
resume and cover letter
to: Carolina Gomez, Carolina.Gomez@coloradodefenders.us no later than
January 6, 2026
11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time). Your credentials should address how your skills and experience meet the qualifications for the position, and your cover letter should highlight your interest in this position and working for the Office of the State Public Defender. (Please note: Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.)
Benefits Of Working For OSPD
6 Health Plans – Cigna & Kaiser options
Basic Vision Insurance – included with medical plans
Dental Insurance
State Paid Life Insurance
State Paid Short-Term Disability
FSA – Healthcare and Dependent Care
HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
Generous Paid Time Off
11 paid holidays
Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
Colorado PERA
401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans
In-house clinical supervision for Social Workers working on their LCSW
For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit www.copera.org. Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://www.coloradodefenders.us/.
Description Of Job We are recruiting to fill one vacant Licensed Social Worker position working with clients charged with criminal offenses; this is a youth-focused position assigned to our Denver Office.
The Licensed Social Worker is the first level within the social worker series wherein employees are oriented to the role of mitigation, case management release planning, and forensic social work in a criminal public defense system; they apply relevant techniques, methods and/or theories of the profession within that role and learn to apply their social work practice within the policies, procedures, rules and regulations specific to the Colorado State Public Defender.
Public Defender Social Workers serve as part of the defense team and are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality. Social Workers perform duties and assume responsibility for case assignments under the specific direction, instruction and guidance of a defense attorney.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct assessments and compile psychosocial histories to develop recommendations concerning pretrial release, detention, case preparation, alternative placements, treatment options, conditions of probation or diversion, and sentencing and post-sentencing options.
Conduct assessments to identify physical or mental health issues, substance abuse or other patterns potentially influencing the client’s development, personality or behavior; document and interpret symptoms of mental and behavioral impairment to assist the defense in developing case strategies.
Collect social and family histories through interviews and document review, including highly sensitive and confidential information; identify psychosocial influences and patterns in the client’s development and behavior including sociocultural and economic status and behavioral health issues.
Assist in obtaining and reviewing relevant records, evaluations or reports; analyze the significance of information relevant to the client’s circumstances and case; assist the defense team in documenting and organizing digital and physical files of information collected.
Assist the defense team in identifying medical or mental health experts to further examine, evaluate and testify regarding the client’s physical or mental health issues; assist in interpreting evaluation findings.
Serve as a collaborative member of the defense team: consult with attorneys on the appropriate approach to the case; maintain regular and timely communications with the team; provide support to the client; and advocate for appropriate options for the client.
Participate in pretrial and sentencing hearings, prepare reports, and provide additional support as requested by the defense attorney.
Keep current on statewide resources available and relevant to client needs such as treatment programs and alternative placements; conduct research necessary to ensure resources are current.
Attend multi-agency and multi-disciplinary staffing meetings regarding the client.
May supervise and mentor student interns enrolled in a graduate-level social work education program.
Requires frequent travel within the State of Colorado.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university educational program in social work.
Licensure to practice social work (LSW) in the State of Colorado within 90 days of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Training or experience in a criminal defense system.
Experience working with children, teenagers, youth and adult clients.
Supplemental Information In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Non-Discrimination The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please ADARequest@coloradodefenders.us
#J-18808-Ljbffr