Peer Advocate

Orleans Public Defenders is seeking a Peer Advocate for its Client Services Division.

The Orleans Public Defenders Office provides holistic, community-based representation in Orleans Parish. We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered defense model that puts the client first and takes a 360 degree approach to our advocacy and representation. We recognize our clients are unique individuals and work to address their needs both in the court and out. Our diverse staff includes adult and juvenile attorneys; social workers; client, youth and parent advocates; investigators, and administrators all working together for equal justice for our clients, their families, our community, and a better New Orleans. In short, we protect innocence, defend the constitution, demand justice, and hold power accountable.

The Peer Advocate will be part of OPD’s Client Services Division (CSD), which provides critical and necessary social services to our low-income clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. CSD’s client advocates and social workers advocate for alternatives to incarceration and utilize individualized mitigation to reduce the reliance on jail and divert our clients to more appropriate social services and treatment. The Peer Advocate will perform some or all of the following tasks:

• ensuring client receives appropriate in-custody or out of custody care for all medical and mental health issues; 
• preparing thorough individualized release plans that include recommendations for alternatives to incarceration; 
• helping clients identify, apply for, enter, and successfully stay in appropriate placements; 
• educating clients on available resources, barriers to employment, independent living skills, and other areas of concern; 
• counseling clients who are faced with plea negotiations and decisions; 
• fostering and maintaining collaborative partnerships with governmental and nonprofit agencies providing mental health, housing, addiction, and social services. 

In addition, the Peer Advocate will focus on providing mentorship, guidance, and direct services and case management to clients aged 18 to 25, as well as clients who are incarcerated and are likely to remain incarcerated. Some of the duties will consist of building and maintaining strong relationships of trust with clients; providing ongoing support and being available to respond to clients’ evolving needs; regularly visiting clients in community and in custody; assisting clients with external social service assessment, referral and/or placement with local service providers, logistics, follow-up, and ongoing support; and working within a legal team in a variety of areas to meet the client’s needs.

Qualifications: This position requires knowledge of the criminal legal system. Candidates with personal knowledge of the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will have a passion for and a demonstrated interest in working with young people and in serving underserved and marginalized communities from diverse cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Candidates must be flexible, highly motivated, and proficient at multitasking. Candidates must have very strong communication skills, work well both independently and in a team setting, and have competent computing skills, including the ability to utilize case management software and other programs. The ability to work well with people of various socioeconomic and educational backgrounds is a must.

This is a full-time position with competitive salary and benefits. 

OPD offers:

Employee Medical coverage (employer paid)

Life and AD&D policy (employer paid) 

Dental coverage 

Vision coverages

Employer matching contribution to Retirement Plan

Generous paid leave (Sick, Vacation, Parental leave) 

To Apply: Qualified and interested applicants must submit all of the following to be considered for this position: 

1. Cover letter explaining your interest in the position 

2. Resume and 

3. Three (3) professional references

Application deadline is May 19, 2023 at 5pm CST.   Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls. 

OPD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation.

The Orleans Public Defenders provide representation to indigent criminal defendants in Orleans Parish. OPD’s mission is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation, reforming the system and partnering with the community. OPD is committed to representation that respects the humanity and dignity of those within the criminal legal system.