Social Worker, Mental Health

Social Worker – State of Colorado

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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.

Please email your resume and cover letter to:
Carolina Gomez, Carolina.

(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). 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.)

• 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  For additional information on PERA visit  Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://.

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.

• 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…