The Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking a Social Worker to work as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI).  Under the direction of the Supervising Attorneys, the Social Worker will support MACI attorneys in their direct representation of individuals in removal proceedings.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •   Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one.  The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

OFFICE OVERVIEW

The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office located within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that will embrace the tenets of public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client centered representation. The MACI-IIU office will provide full-scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained. The office will set standards of practice and create training to increase the capacity for removal defense representation within Massachusetts.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Immigration Impact Unit is seeking a full-time Social Worker as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI).  Under the direction of the Supervising Attorneys, the Social Worker will support MACI attorneys in their direct representation of individuals in removal proceedings to achieve the best possible legal and life outcomes for their clients. The Social Worker helps identify the social and clinical issues that may be at issue in the removal proceedings or any underlying criminal record.

The Social Worker’s role includes bio-psychosocial interviewing and assessment, social history investigation, forensic case management, advocacy for clients within court, detention, mental health, and social service systems, fostering family interactions and intervention, treatment and release planning, report writing, testifying, and making direct connections between clients and programs. Social services intervention occurs at all stages of the removal proceedings process.

Please note, these positions are contingent on grant-funding from the Governor’s Office for Immigrant and Refugees. Funding for this position is only guaranteed for the duration of the grant period.  While it is anticipated that additional funding may be awarded, that is not guaranteed.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, or other related degree, and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience;
• Insured, reliable and available transportation, and a valid MA driver’s license; and,
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

 An ideal candidate will have a MSW and a Massachusetts LCSW/LICSW license.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Two (2) years full-time work experience providing social services to individuals with criminal or immigration court involvement including those battling mental illness and substance abuse preferred;
• Knowledge of social, psychological, environmental, economic, legal, and medical factors that influence behavior;
• Knowledge of local community-based organizations and service providers;
• Basic understanding of immigration and/or criminal law or willingness to learn these areas;
• Skill interviewing, obtaining facts and evaluating relevant information from clients and their families;
• Culturally appropriate skills in client interviewing, assessment, case management, and treatment planning;
• Skill and proficiency dealing with outside social service agencies and social workers;
• Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
• Detailed oriented and able to work on multiple projects (clients) under tight deadlines;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to organize and prioritize caseloads, calendars and work assignments;
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships;
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect; and,
• Proficiency in language(s) other than English preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Social Worker include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying resources and services in the community for nondetained and released clients;
• Building partnerships with community organizations and providers;
• Working to connect clients to available resources and supporting clients in accessing public benefits, housing, behavioral health services, and medical care;
• Creating plans for post-release services including benefits, housing, behavioral health services, and medical care, and then collaborating with released clients on implementing these plans;
• Drafting written declarations related to any mental health concerns, addiction issues, trauma history and other related topics;
• Arranging for forensic health evaluations;
• Identifying and arranging for expert testimony;
• Assist in client interviews in detention settings;
• Attending court hearings; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies.  Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net