Forensic Mental Health Social Worker

WE ARE HIRING A FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKER!

The Far West Texas Regional Public Defender's Office is hiring for the following position:

• Del Rio, TX: One (1) Forensic Mental Health Social Worker

This position is a wraparound case management position serving individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors who present with mental health challenges, substance abuse, intellectual and developmental disability, and resource needs.

About FWTRPD:

FWTRPD represents indigent defendants charged with felonies and misdemeanors in rural west Texas. Our office is committed to defending all individuals arrested and charged, regardless of background and nature of offenses.

The office works in an ensemble approach, and casework includes the support, collaboration, and input of investigators, social workers, and attorneys in the office. For deeper insight to how we do things here, listen to our interview on the Public Defenseless podcast in episode 115: https://tinyurl.com/FWTRPDEP115

Salary: The salary range for the position will be $60,000 to $65,000 with LMSW licensure and commensurate with experience. Clinical Supervision and CEU’s for license renewal will be paid for by FWTRPD in addition to salary compensation and county benefits.

As a county-based program, employment benefits include health insurance, low-cost dental and vision coverage, and participation in the TCDRS pension system. Also included are annual leave, sick leave, earned comp time, and a generous holiday schedule of 20 days per year.

Responsibilities

• Conducting trauma-informed interviews and biopsychosocial assessments. Interviews may include clients, family members, and others related to the case with the goal of providing case management and developing mitigation to be used in fighting criminal charges.
• Utilize informal and formal assessments to develop diagnostic impressions to be provided to insanity evaluators, competency evaluators, LIDDA service providers, and other experts as appropriate.
• Record collection related to mental health treatment, physical health treatment, education records, and other records as necessary to develop mitigation prior to court appearances and during trial.
• Making appropriate social work and community referrals, including referrals for mental health treatment, substance use services, and government benefits. Diligently follow-up on client engagement with referred services, including requesting records and referring additional services.
• Provide short-term treatment using motivational interviewing, solution-focused approaches, and cognitive behavioral strategies to address client’s needs while awaiting other treatment services and while clients are incarcerated.
• Provide skills training, including assistance with life and social skills training and medication management, during home visits in the community.
• Assist with or provide testimony in felony and misdemeanor court hearings.

Qualifications

• Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) strongly preferred. Other licensed mental health providers to be considered.
• Must be comfortable working with individuals with severe mental illness and substance abuse in the jail, office, community, and home settings.
• Experience with Google Workspaces or similar software.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable motor vehicle required.
• Bilingual English-Spanish proficiency preferred but not required.

This position is 100% in-person in Del Rio, TX. This position is 8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday through Friday with a one (1) hour lunch break.