Social Worker – Criminal Defense Unit

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. is seeking a Social Worker in our Criminal Defense Unit’s Holistic Representation Program. The goal of the HRP is to decrease time of client incarceration, promote diversion and alternatives to sentencing programs, and prevent recidivism.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals in the Western New York community by actively assisting clients with mental health and substance abuse treatment, addressing their civil legal needs and other societal issues that bring them into the criminal justice system, as well as engaging with community organizations.

• Competitive Pay: Earn a salary ranging from $64,291 to $74,709, commensurate with your experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Generous vacation, personal, and sick time.
• Paid parenthood leave plan
• Long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance offerings
• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, and a flexible spending account.
• Union Position: Be part of a supportive collective bargaining environment.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Qualifying employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

• Interview and evaluate clients, witnesses and any other person with factual information related to the client and/or the client’s needs or objectives.
• Perform field investigations, if appropriate in professional judgment, to prepare for case, including home visits, jail visits, hospital and/or community visits with clients.
• Review and/or obtain histories, service plans, agency medical or school records, and clinical assessments.
• Provide face‑to‑face services that are goal directed, trauma informed, culturally sensitive, and evidence‑based, with a focus on reducing recidivism.
• Prepare written reports, including, where appropriate, recommendations based on specialized assessments of the clients’ needs or wishes.
• Consult and confer with case‑workers, service providers, educators, representatives of other agencies, probation officers or any other collateral individual as required.
• Work collaboratively with attorneys to develop recommendations for the Court
• Maintain clear and specific progress notes that document progress with the plan of care and goal completion.
• Maintain accurate case records, including documentation and tracking of client cases in the appropriate database.
• Conduct occasional in‑house trainings for both social work and legal staff.
• Facilitate community workshops for clients.
• Participate as an integral part of Holistic Representation Program team.
• Attend court proceedings/hearings and provide testimony, as required.
• Attend meetings, reviews, conferences or other functions at various locations, as required.
• Communicate in person, by telephone, e‑mail, fax or by mail with clients, other agencies, attorneys, court and other public officials, other staff and persons with whom the unit staff interacts, and the general public; take and give telephone messages; and answer questions and/or make referrals as appropriate.
• Maintain office files, as required by unit.

• Graduation from an accredited university or college with a Master’s degree in Social Work and one year experience providing social casework services. Internship experience will be counted toward experience requirement.
• Possess high level of knowledge working with justice‑involved clients and community.
• Must understand and be willing to strictly adhere to attorney‑client privilege.
• Possess good working knowledge of various types of community resources.
• Must be familiar with court procedures.
• Must be a team player.

• Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s License and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from minorities, females, disabled individuals, veterans, and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Please send your cover letter, resume and writing sample to resume or mail them to:

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.

Attention:
Human Resources

290 Main Street, Suite 400

Buffalo, NY 14202

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. We look forward to welcoming a new member to our dedicated team.