Social Worker, Criminal Defense Practice

NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE OF HARLEM 

Social Worker, Criminal Defense Practice

Overview

The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (NDS) is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing civil, criminal and family representation to residents of Northern Manhattan. NDS seeks to hire an experienced: Social Worker in the Criminal Defense Practice 

 THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE OF HARLEM (NDS) is a community based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing criminal, civil, and family representation. NDS is accepting applications for the position of Social Worker with the Criminal Defense Practice.  

 The Criminal Defense Practice at NDS represents residents of Northern Manhattan who are charged with crimes and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, team administrators and interns. NDS also provides pre-arrest representation to clients under threat of arrest. NDS adheres to a client centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes. NDS is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients. 

Responsibilities

• Work closely with team members to advocate for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration for clients.
•  This advocacy includes; gathering factual mitigation through interviews and obtaining records; Analyzing records; Researching and recommending alternatives to incarceration; Writing pre-pleading memoranda to judges and prosecutors seeking reduced sentences and alternatives to incarceration.  
• Work closely with clients to: Make appropriate referrals to address clients’ social service needs (drug treatment, mental health treatment, housing and other benefits); Assist clients in navigating New York City Social Service Agencies; Advocate on behalf of clients to social service agencies.  
• Advocate orally on behalf of clients to judges, programs and assistant district attorneys.

Qualifications

• Must have a MSW degree.   
• Must possess a demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, social justice issues and/or the Harlem communities.  
• Must possess strong organizational skills in order to manage a high caseload and multitask in a very fast-paced environment.  
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and communication skills.  
• Must possess a high level of organization, unlimited energy and patience, and the ability to work on a team.  
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Spanish language fluency is preferred.

Compensation

Min: $72,000 

Max: $112,933 

The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325. Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as other benefits, are provided.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should upload a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. For more information about NDS, please visit our website at www.NeighborhoodDefender.org. 

 The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.  

Pre-Job Screening Questions multi-choice drop-down: 

Mandatory yes required.   

• Did you upload a cover letter? Yes or No. 
• Did you upload a resume? Yes or No. 
• Do you have a MSW degree? Yes or No 
• Did you upload a writing sample? Yes or No. 

Assignments: 

• Recruiter for job posting: rcalabrese@ndsny.org 
• Hiring Manager for job posting: djackson@ndsny.org  

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The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NDS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325. Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as other benefits, are provided.