Social Worker, Adolescent Representation Team, Criminal Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Social Worker to join the Adolescent Representation Team in the Criminal Defense Practice.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

The Adolescent Representation Team (ART) represents and protects the legal rights of young people who are arrested. Our staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative professionals. Social workers on the team provide clinical support, case management, and advocacy for BDS clients ages 18 and younger in juvenile delinquency proceedings as well as the youth part in Criminal Supreme Court.

Responsibilities

• Partner collaboratively with attorneys to provide comprehensive legal representation and determine case strategy for adolescent clients facing charges in Family and/or the Youth Part in Supreme Court.
• Responsible for a caseload of clients with varying needs and case-related deadlines, ensuring timely action and intervention.
• Provide both written and oral advocacy seeking alternatives to placement and incarceration for adolescent clients and/or to reduce placement and incarceration.
• Advocate at Probation Adjustment Interviews, ACS conferences, and at all points of contact with outside agencies throughout a case including pre filing and post disposition.
• Conduct home visits as well as visits to detention centers, placement facilities and jails.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments, develop service plans and refer clients for services.
• Communicate with external service providers and agencies about client needs, including but not limited to the Department of Probation, ACS, and Department of Education (DOE).
• Provide crisis intervention when needed.
• Maintain case notes and documentation in electronic database.

Qualifications

• New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and eligible and willing to become licensed within six months of starting the position.
• Experience working with youth and in forensic settings strongly preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice.
• Ability to write detailed and persuasive reports that include mitigation as part of the pre-pleading and post-conviction phase of the client’s case.
• Knowledge of the psychological, behavioral, and neurological conditions set forth in the DSM-5 as well as understanding of intergenerational and complex traumas and adolescent development.
• Strong clinical assessment, crisis intervention, and client advocacy skills.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.

Position Information

This is an exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn, with jail and home visits as needed. Social Workers are required to work in the office three days per week and may be required to work additional days in person based on client needs and jail visiting. The in-person requirement is subject to change.

Salary for this position is based on the experience of the applicant and ranges from approximately $70,000 -$76,586. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan. To support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click HERE to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by May 22, 2025.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.