Criminal Justice Institute, Harvard Law School Hiring Clinical Social Worker
Posted February 8, 2024
Location: Cambridge, MA
Job Description:
The Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) at Harvard Law School is a multidisciplinary public defender clinic that provides zealous, client-centered defense to indigent adults and juvenile clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Boston area criminal courts. The social work program works closely with student attorneys and clinical instructors while they complete case investigation, trial court work from arraignment to disposition, and interlocutory appellate representation in the Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court. The clinic also has an active amicus practice and represents clients in compassionate release proceedings, seeking release from prison for those with debilitating medical conditions. The social work team supports the legal work of CJI’s student attorneys through case management, assessment, brief clinical interventions and mitigation advocacy.
The Social Worker will work closely with clinical instructors, student attorneys, and, at times, social work graduate student interns on adult and juvenile cases in the trial courts to address social and legal needs of CJI clients.
Position Description:
As a Social Worker, you will:
Work collaboratively with clinical instructors, student attorneys, and social work graduate interns on adult and juvenile cases in the trial courts to address social and legal needs of CJI clients.
Coordinate appropriate social services for clients and conduct pre-trial release and re-entry planning.
Provide brief focused clinical intervention and utilize a culturally informed intersectional perspective.
Develop documentation including: needs and/or biopsychosocial assessments, progress letters, mitigation reports and diversionary plans to assist in the legal outcome.
Advocate for client’s rights in other systems (DSS, DYS, DMH, DOC, etc.) and build relationships with communities, social service providers, government agencies, schools, etc. to obtain and provide intervention and rehabilitative services.
Maintain the existing social services resource directory
Participate in orientation and training of student attorneys and social work graduate interns.
Have the opportunity to engage in clinical and macro social work components of CJI’s compassionate release practice, including release planning, advocacy and legislative change concerning access to medical care in prison, and working to reduce systemic barriers to compassionate release
Requirements/Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Master’s in Social Work required. LCSW plus 5 years of relevant lived or work experience in the criminal legal field, or with individuals living with substance use disorders, mental health and/or experiencing homelessness.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
We are looking for people who have:
Experience and demonstrated ability working with people in the criminal and/or juvenile legal systems, and people experiencing poverty, homelessness, substance use, and mental illness.
Experience with mitigation advocacy and forensic social work.
Commitment to transformational change of the criminal legal system and working with communities oppressed by the system.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and social justice within the workplace, and a record of valuing all individuals and respecting differences with regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstances.
Excellent communication and written skills, and flexibility in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
Interest in training student attorneys and social work graduate interns.
Experience collaborating and advocating in legal settings and with community agencies, as well as program development experience.
Bilingual skills a plus.
LICSW a plus, but not required.
Salary:
74,200-126,200
Contact Name: Alexis Waller
Contact Email: [email protected]
Other information:
https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25240&siteid=5341&PageType=JobDetails&jobid=2001100