OPD is seeking a Client Advocate for its Client Services Division.
OPD provides holistic, community-based representation for low income New Orleanians in Criminal District, Juvenile and Municipal Court 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° 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 more just New Orleans. In short, we protect innocence, defend the constitution, demand justice, and hold power accountable.
Job Summary: Many OPD clients become involved in the criminal legal system due to poverty, homelessness, addiction, un/under-treated mental health issues, and/or neglect and abuse. Under the direct supervision of the Client Services Division Supervisor and CSD Deputy Supervisor, the Client Advocate will work to support and improve advocacy for clients throughout the case process, thus increasing success upon release. The Client Advocate seeks out alternatives to incarceration and utilizes individualized mitigation to reduce the reliance on jail and divert our clients to more appropriate social services and treatment.
The Client Advocate will use Client Service Division (CSD) Case Management System to assist in the presentation of CSD work/data internally and externally. The position will network and foster partnerships within the community to better assist clients. The Client Advocate will train, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate CSD undergraduate interns. They will actively develop new advocacy support services in response to attorney request and client need. “Advocacy support services” may include any administrative, paralegal or social service that (1) significantly strengthens attorneys' advocacy efforts; yet (2) requires no advanced professional training or accreditation.
CASELOAD MANAGEMENT:
• Manages assigned caseload as part of a team to represent OPD client; prepares reports and documents regarding client; assists with correspondence with clients; documents work on the case through case management system (Defender Data and Exponent); assists with advocacy both in court and out of court with various actors in the criminal legal system and social service agencies.
SOCIAL SERVICE AND PLACEMENT:
• Interviews clients, family members, and other interested parties to assess needs for social services. Educates clients on available resources, barriers to employment, independent living skills, and other areas of concern; explains procedures, rights, and responsibilities -- and assists clients in overcoming obstacles.
• Helps clients identify, apply for, enter, and successfully stay in appropriate placement (such as shelters, temporary housing, outpatient or inpatient medical, mental health, or rehabilitation facilities) as an alternative to detention in the pretrial, sentencing or probation revocation contexts.
LEGAL ADVOCACY:
• Prepares materials about potential placements for judges and other criminal justice stakeholders; presents in court and/or arranges for representatives of potential placement programs to come to court to speak to the judge in favor of the client’s participation. Facilitates the logistics of client’s successful release from jail to the placement;
• Record Compilation, Mitigation, and Sentencing Advocacy
• Bail Modification Support
• Assists probation and/or parole clients with re-entry and support.
HEALTH ADVOCACY:
• Coordinates with client, family, defense team, jail medical staff and outside health providers in an effort to ensure client receives appropriate in-custody or out of custody care for all medical and mental health issues – as well as in-custody security issues.
Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have demonstrated interest in serving underserved communities. The ability to work well with people of various cultural, racial, ethinic, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds is a must. Candidates must be flexible, highly-motivated, and proficient at multitasking. The ideal candidate will have very strong communication skills and will work well in a team setting, Other qualifications consist of one (1) year of full-time experience working in the justice system or in similar settings preferred; knowledge of Orleans Parish Social Services, and outreach resources preferred; ability to use and understand basic computer functions is a must; access to reliable and insured vehicle is a plus; fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese and familiarity with New Orleans service providers are a plus. High school diploma or GED required, bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related fields preferred. Equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the essential job knowledge and abilities required.
This is a full-time position, with competitive salary and benefits.
To Apply: Qualified and interested applicants must submit all of the following to be considered for this position: cover letter explaining your interest in the position, resume, writing sample, and a list of three references. Please complete the online application here. Application deadline is Friday, May 31, 2024 at 5pm CST. This position will start September 3, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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.
