Government Jobs
Job Summary
The Travis County Public Defender's Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, holistic, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people accused of criminal offenses in Travis County. This position is within the Mental Health Division. Social Workers in the Mental Health Division work closely with clients, defense attorneys and other advocates to provide assessment, legal case support, and intensive case management to justice involved clients experiencing serious mental illness and other disabilities. Social Workers in the PDO advocate for clients inside and outside of the courtroom. A key member of the legal team, social workers support and counsel clients and their families as they navigate different legal and social service systems and develop individualized plans to connect clients to long or short-term community-based resources to meet identified social support needs. *Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This job classification within the Social Services job family is distinguished from other social services classes due to the social work functions and services provided to clients. This classification performs case management, psychosocial and/or needs assessments, develops client service plans and accesses community resources to assist clients. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. Duties and Responsibilities
Conducts client and/or family psychosocial and/or needs assessment and obtains maximum benefit from all available sources. Develops and implements client/family individualized service plans and monitors progress. Conducts periodic and final assessments to determine progress, client barriers, follow-up needs and client outcomes. Provides brief counseling and crisis intervention to individuals and/or their families to resolve crisis, prevent future crisis and promote progress toward self-sufficiency and individualized service plan goals and outcomes. Provides short or long-term case management and service coordination in manners and settings conducive to best client outcomes. Utilizes community resources to assist client in learning to live as a self-sufficient member of the community, including, but not limited to, medical resources, local, state and federal agencies, community-based agencies and other resources. Participates in community collaboration for resource development and elimination of duplication of services. Serves as member of community groups advocating for client populations and needs. Provides client/family education, training and advocacy. Maintains current knowledge about resource availability, service costs and budgetary parameters and remains fiscally responsible in carrying out all case management functions and activities. Participates in evaluative and quality assurance activities designed to monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of both the service delivery system in which case management operates as well as the case manager's own case management services. Ensures full professional accountability. Uses evidence based practices and remains current with standards of profession. Writes informational reports and compiles data/information in accordance with professional standards and policies. Participates and coordinates in case reviews involving client/family and other service providers. Provides information, referral and linkage services to all community residents. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Master's degree in Social Work AND two (2) years social work experience counseling individuals in crisis/trauma situations.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Valid Texas Driver's License. Preferred: Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender's Office. Ability to interview indigent clients to assess their legal and social support needs. Ability to conduct fact investigations related to indigent clients' social support, medical, and/or legal histories. Ability to fluently speak and write in Spanish. Ability to provide transportation to clients as needed in County vehicle or personal vehicle (with eligible mileage reimbursement) Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating on behalf of or supporting people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal system. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: Theoretical constructions of human development and social work theory and practices. Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function. Local social services, organizations and programs and resources available. Trauma-informed care. Crisis intervention and counseling techniques. Psychosocial factors impacted by stressors, illness and disability and intervention techniques. Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements. Financial resources available to clients. Modern office practices, procedures and methods. Computer equipment includes word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages. May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information. Skill in: Interviewing and obtaining information from clients and other sources. Problem-solving and decision-making. Counseling and providing crisis and other assistance to clients experiencing grief, trauma, and/or other adverse life experiences. Assessing the medical, psychosocial, and environmental status of clients. Determining types of counseling, social service provider and other services indicated for clients. Referring clients to appropriate social services organizations and programs. Application of casework principles. Both verbal and written communication. Ability to: Apply social work and counseling theory, practice, and procedures. Work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances. Prepare persuasive, accurate and complete records and reports. Demonstrate consistent, sound and mature judgment in the effective and efficient use of human and financial resources. Work independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team Manage time well and meet timelines. Communicate effectively across lines of difference. Work Environment & Other Information
The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant's experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Department: Public Defender's Office, Mental Health Division Location: 1010 Lavaca St. 4th floor, Austin TX 78701 Criminal Background Check, Education and Employment Verification Required. Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment. FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits
The Travis County Public Defender's Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, holistic, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people accused of criminal offenses in Travis County. This position is within the Mental Health Division. Social Workers in the Mental Health Division work closely with clients, defense attorneys and other advocates to provide assessment, legal case support, and intensive case management to justice involved clients experiencing serious mental illness and other disabilities. Social Workers in the PDO advocate for clients inside and outside of the courtroom. A key member of the legal team, social workers support and counsel clients and their families as they navigate different legal and social service systems and develop individualized plans to connect clients to long or short-term community-based resources to meet identified social support needs. *Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This job classification within the Social Services job family is distinguished from other social services classes due to the social work functions and services provided to clients. This classification performs case management, psychosocial and/or needs assessments, develops client service plans and accesses community resources to assist clients. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. Duties and Responsibilities
Conducts client and/or family psychosocial and/or needs assessment and obtains maximum benefit from all available sources. Develops and implements client/family individualized service plans and monitors progress. Conducts periodic and final assessments to determine progress, client barriers, follow-up needs and client outcomes. Provides brief counseling and crisis intervention to individuals and/or their families to resolve crisis, prevent future crisis and promote progress toward self-sufficiency and individualized service plan goals and outcomes. Provides short or long-term case management and service coordination in manners and settings conducive to best client outcomes. Utilizes community resources to assist client in learning to live as a self-sufficient member of the community, including, but not limited to, medical resources, local, state and federal agencies, community-based agencies and other resources. Participates in community collaboration for resource development and elimination of duplication of services. Serves as member of community groups advocating for client populations and needs. Provides client/family education, training and advocacy. Maintains current knowledge about resource availability, service costs and budgetary parameters and remains fiscally responsible in carrying out all case management functions and activities. Participates in evaluative and quality assurance activities designed to monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of both the service delivery system in which case management operates as well as the case manager's own case management services. Ensures full professional accountability. Uses evidence based practices and remains current with standards of profession. Writes informational reports and compiles data/information in accordance with professional standards and policies. Participates and coordinates in case reviews involving client/family and other service providers. Provides information, referral and linkage services to all community residents. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Master's degree in Social Work AND two (2) years social work experience counseling individuals in crisis/trauma situations.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Valid Texas Driver's License. Preferred: Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender's Office. Ability to interview indigent clients to assess their legal and social support needs. Ability to conduct fact investigations related to indigent clients' social support, medical, and/or legal histories. Ability to fluently speak and write in Spanish. Ability to provide transportation to clients as needed in County vehicle or personal vehicle (with eligible mileage reimbursement) Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating on behalf of or supporting people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal system. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: Theoretical constructions of human development and social work theory and practices. Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function. Local social services, organizations and programs and resources available. Trauma-informed care. Crisis intervention and counseling techniques. Psychosocial factors impacted by stressors, illness and disability and intervention techniques. Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements. Financial resources available to clients. Modern office practices, procedures and methods. Computer equipment includes word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages. May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information. Skill in: Interviewing and obtaining information from clients and other sources. Problem-solving and decision-making. Counseling and providing crisis and other assistance to clients experiencing grief, trauma, and/or other adverse life experiences. Assessing the medical, psychosocial, and environmental status of clients. Determining types of counseling, social service provider and other services indicated for clients. Referring clients to appropriate social services organizations and programs. Application of casework principles. Both verbal and written communication. Ability to: Apply social work and counseling theory, practice, and procedures. Work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances. Prepare persuasive, accurate and complete records and reports. Demonstrate consistent, sound and mature judgment in the effective and efficient use of human and financial resources. Work independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team Manage time well and meet timelines. Communicate effectively across lines of difference. Work Environment & Other Information
The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant's experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Department: Public Defender's Office, Mental Health Division Location: 1010 Lavaca St. 4th floor, Austin TX 78701 Criminal Background Check, Education and Employment Verification Required. Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment. FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits