Social Worker - Immigration Impact Unit

Social Worker - Immigration Impact Unit (250008EU)

The Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking a Social Worker to work as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). Under the direction of the Supervising Attorneys, the Social Worker will support MACI attorneys in their direct representation of individuals in removal proceedings.

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office located within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that will embrace the tenets of public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client-centered representation. The MACI-IIU office will provide full-scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained. The office will set standards of practice and create training to increase the capacity for removal defense representation within Massachusetts.

The Immigration Impact Unit is seeking a full-time Social Worker as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). Under the direction of the Supervising Attorneys, the Social Worker will support MACI attorneys in their direct representation of individuals in removal proceedings to achieve the best possible legal and life outcomes for their clients. The Social Worker helps identify the social and clinical issues that may be at issue in the removal proceedings or any underlying criminal record.

The Social Worker’s role includes bio‑psychosocial interviewing and assessment, social history investigation, forensic case management, advocacy for clients within court, detention, mental health, and social service systems, fostering family interactions and intervention, treatment and release planning, report writing, testifying, and making direct connections between clients and programs. Social services intervention occurs at all stages of the removal proceedings process.

Please note
, these positions are contingent on grant‑funding from the Governor’s Office for Immigrants and Refugees. Funding for this position is only guaranteed for the duration of the grant period. While it is anticipated that additional funding may be awarded, that is not guaranteed.

The duties of the Social Worker include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying resources and services in the community for nondetained and released clients;
• Building partnerships with community organizations and providers;
• Working to connect clients to available resources and supporting clients in accessing public benefits, housing, behavioral health services, and medical care;
• Creating plans for post‑release services including benefits, housing, behavioral health services, and medical care, and then collaborating with released clients on implementing these plans;
• Drafting written declarations related to any mental health concerns, addiction issues, trauma history and other related topics;
• Identifying and arranging for expert testimony;
• Attending court hearings;
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, or other related degree, and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience;
• Insured, reliable and available transportation, and a valid MA driver’s license; and,
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

An ideal candidate will have a MSW and a Massachusetts LCSW/LICSW license.

• Two (2) years full‑time work experience providing social services to…