Forensic Social Work Supervisor

The Position

Bargaining Unit:
Local 1021 - Social Services First Line Supervisors Unit

The Contra Costa County Public Defender's (CCPD) Office is excited to announce the recruitment for one (1) vacanct position of Forensic Social Work Supervisor.

At the CCPD, we are committed to fierce, innovative advocacy that treats every client with dignity and respect. Our holistic model integrates support from social workers, legal staff, immigration specialists, forensic experts, behavioral-health professionals, and more than 100 attorneys. We are dedicated to advancing equity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion.

Joining the CCPD as a Forensic Social Worker Supervisor in the Client Services Unit offers a unique opportunity to lead a highly skilled team committed to client-centered advocacy. In this role, you will supervise forensic social workers, who will develop mitigation and provide direct services to juveniles, transition age youth and adults. While leading your team, you will support clients navigating complex legal, social, and behavioral health challenges.

You will help shape innovative, trauma-informed mitigation, strengthen community partnerships, and promote diversion, rehabilitation, and holistic defense. You will also oversee the MSW/BASW field placement program, providing mentorship, training and structured learning opportunities for emerging social workers. This position is ideal for leaders who are passionate about social justice, multidisciplinary collaboration, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families across Contra Costa County.

• Demonstrates compassion and consistently upholds the dignity and respect of all clients.
• Exhibits strong strategic thinking and exceptional analytical abilities.
• Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Effective in interdisciplinary collaboration within holistic defense.

• Planning, assigning, and overseeing the work of social case workers and interns providing forensic social work services to Public Defender clients.
• Investigating, preparing, and supervising the development of social histories, psychosocial assessments, mitigation reports, treatment plans, and other documentation that supports client defense.
• Conducting and overseeing client risk and needs assessments.
• Engaging in and supervising interviews with clients and collateral contacts in both custodial and community based settings.
• Developing and overseeing social work programs within the office to strengthen holistic defense and client support services.
• Collaborating closely with attorneys and multidisciplinary staff to align social work interventions with defense goals and improve outcomes for youth and adult clients.

• You thrive in a fast paced, environment that requires strong critical thinking and adaptability.
• You value the opportunity to support clients through compassionate, holistic, and trauma informed advocacy.
• You are flexible and open to a diverse range of assignments and learning opportunities.
• You appreciate being part of an office committed to holistic defense and equitable representation for all clients.

• You may encounter high stakes situations involving clients with significant trauma, instability, or urgent needs, requiring calm, thoughtful, and trauma informed responses.
• You will manage complex cases and navigate multiple systems simultaneously.
• Adjusting to balancing team supervision, program development, and shifting priorities.

• Critical Thinking:
  Analytically and…