Social Service Practitioner III / II / I- Public Defender

Overview

The Office of the Public Defender is hiring Social Service Practitioners (SSP) to provide professional social work services to adult and juvenile clients and their families as they navigate through the criminal justice system. The work involves investigating and supporting cases with clients who may have physical or psychological issues, including writing mitigation reports and mental health plans. SSPs may appear and testify in court, attend San Bernardino County SARB meetings to address truancy, participate in outreach events, and may act as preceptors to social work interns.

Assignment Location

The list may be used to fill current and future vacancies in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, or Victorville. Applicants must be willing to accept opportunities at any of these locations. Assignments will be made based on department needs and location preference will be considered where possible.

Training / Advancement

Social Service Practitioners I is the trainee class; the role works under close supervision while acquiring the skills to investigate and / or support cases involving clients with physical or psychological issues. Applicants who are within three (3) months of completing a Master of Social Work degree will be considered for the SSP I level. The Public Defender's Office is a law firm-like organization with a growing human services staff and a commitment to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional social work services to clients and families in the criminal justice system.
• Investigate and / or support cases involving physical or psychological issues; write mitigation reports and mental health plans.
• Appear and testify in court when required; attend SARB meetings.
• Engage in outreach events and serve as a preceptor to social work interns.
• Develop and implement treatment plans to improve social functioning; prepare biopsychosocial reports requested by attorneys.
• Make recommendations and provide referrals to clients in the criminal justice system.
• Assist clients in accessing available supportive services within the County and State; meet with indigent clients in various settings (home, jail, prison, state hospitals, etc.).

Qualifications

Compensation and Benefits

Salary and Promotion

Social Service Practitioners I ($66,476–$84,801 annually) eligible for promotion to Social Service Practitioner II ($69,742–$95,867 annually) after MSW completion and training; SSP II automatically advances to SSP II I ($75,088–$103,521.60 annually) after 3 full years (6,240 hours) of service as an SSP or equivalent classification. Note : SSP I level hours do not count toward advancement to SSP III.

Excellent Benefits Package

Medical & Dental (family coverage), Vision (employee coverage), premium subsidies, Flexible Spending Account, vacation and sick leave, holidays, retirement benefits, and additional programs (pension, 457(b), RMT, DCAP, life / AD&D, disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness, commuter services, and employee discounts).

Additional information on benefits and the Modified Benefit Option (MBO) is available from the agency.

Conditions of Employment

Must pass a background check prior to appointment.

Willingness to visit clients in home, jail, prison, state hospitals, and other settings; accept assignments in San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, or Victorville based on department needs.

Travel within the County may be required.

San Bernardino County cannot sponsor visas at the time of application or in the future.

Application Procedure

Complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire for consideration. Applications are accepted until further notice; candidates are encouraged to apply early as recruitment may close at any time. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of the application materials.

To ensure timely submission, allow ample time to complete and submit before the posted deadline. You will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email after submission. If you do not receive this confirmation, the application may not have been received.

Technical Assistance

Review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact the toll-free Applicant Support line for help. The County is not responsible for delays caused by internet connectivity or browser issues.

EEO / ADA and Veteran Information

EEO / ADA : San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation : If you require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans' Preference : Eligible veterans and their spouses may receive additional Veterans' Preference points; review information and instructions on how to request these points.

Review for Applicant Information : Please review the official Applicant Information and County Employment Process guidelines.

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