The Shelby County Public Defender’s Youth Trial Division is hiring Social Workers to help provide high-quality, client-centered legal representation to qualified people in the juvenile legal system of Shelby County, Tennessee.
Competitive candidates will have a deep and demonstrated commitment to public defense or serving vulnerable people; excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills; the proven ability to work both collaboratively and independently; and a strong work ethic.
Established in 1917 as the first public defender east of the Mississippi, the Shelby County Public Defender has a long legacy as a national leader in standing up for equal justice. We are committed to cutting-edge practices in representing more than 20,000 adults and children each year at every level of the justice system, from municipal court to the United States Supreme Court. We are proud to stand up for the vulnerable people of Shelby County — one of the nation’s most important cultural centers, with a deep history of struggle for racial and economic justice.
Position Summary
The Social Worker’s primary responsibility is to work under general supervision to provide assistance to Youth Trial Division clients and implement established programs.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Visits clients and community stakeholders to refer for services and establish working relationships, obtain necessary information, build partnerships and to provide assistance to clients.
- Confers with public and private agencies to communicate program and client needs also make necessary arrangements to optimize client goal achievement.
- Completes or initiates required casework, assessments, intake processes, administrative forms and reports, special studies or surveys.
- Makes home visits to investigate and assess clients’ needs and contacts clinical providers to collect medical and/clinical records.
- Drives automobile to various workplaces.
- Performs other related duties as required or directed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of social work.
- Ability to deal tactfully with people of all economic and social levels.
- Ability to use good judgment in evaluating situation and making decisions.
- Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas both orally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications
- Two (2) years successful full-time employment in social work, of which one (1) year must have been in a responsible supervisory and/or administrative capacity; AND
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study.
- An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work approved by the National Council on Social Work Education is preferred.
- PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
Special Requirements
- Must possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license or obtain one by date of employment.
- Must have daily access to a personal operable automobile and meet County requirements for automobile insurance upon date of employment.
- Work will require attendance at meetings and activities on weekends and/or after regular work hours.
- Work will require travel to locations outside of the office.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience and education. Benefit options include medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance through Cigna, as well as a pension and an optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan.
Shelby County is one of the least expensive major metropolitan areas in the country, with a low cost but high standard of living.
Disclaimer
This position is subject to a background check for any convictions that have a substantial relationship to potential job duties. Only convictions that are substantially related to potential job duties will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Shelby County Resident Disclaimer
All employees hired after September 1, 1986, must be residents of Shelby County and shall continue to reside in the County as a condition of their employment. The residency requirement shall not apply to certain public safety/civil service employees. This means exemption from this policy is in effect for the following departments and positions: (1) Sheriff Deputy Patrol Officers, Deputy Jailers and Dispatchers, employed by the Sheriff Department, (2) Correction Officers employed by the Division of Corrections, (3) Firefighters, Paramedics and Dispatchers employed by the Shelby County Fire Department. The residency exemption for public safety/civil service employees does not include Appointed positions with Sheriff’s Office, Division of Corrections or the Fire Department.
Statement on Non-Discrimination
The Shelby County Public Defender is committed to diversity and actively recruits people who are traditionally underrepresented in the practice of law. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ethnicity, class, public benefit, political view, military status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, family structure, prior record of arrest or conviction, genetic predisposition or carrier status, age, disability, experience as a victim, or any other protected classification under applicable federal, state or local law.