Holistic Defense Advocate (Santa Maria)

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Job location
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Family Service Agency
Street address: 
123 W. Gutierrez St.
City: 
Santa Barbara
State: 
California
ZIP: 
93101
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

The Position:
Co-located within the Santa Maria Public Defender’s Office, the Holistic Defense Advocate is part of a collaborative team working to provide high quality holistic representation to indigent adult clients accused of crimes in North Santa Barbara County. Through legal representation from public defender attorneys and targeted, comprehensive social work interventions from Holistic Defense Advocates, the program addresses life circumstances that lead to contact with the criminal justice system. The Holistic Defense team aims to stabilize lives, reduce recidivism, and create safer communities. An integral part of the defense team, the Holistic Defense Advocate conducts psychosocial assessments, provides mitigation reports, and makes referrals to treatment programs and social service providers. This is a partnership between Family Service Agency, a nonprofit organization, and the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office. The position reports to the Family Service Agency Holistic Defense Program Manager.

Employment Standards:
1. MSW, MA, or BA in a related field required.
2. Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
3. One year minimum preferred advocating for adults involved in the criminal justice system, who often have histories of trauma, substance abuse related concerns, and mental health diagnoses.
4. Case management and / or experience working within complex societal systems (i.e. criminal justice, social services, medical, education).
5. Knowledge of issues related to criminal justice involvement for poor and under-served populations.
6. Demonstrated multicultural competency.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
8. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
9. Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
10. Computer and Internet literacy; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
11. Valid automobile insurance and a valid California Driver License.
12. Reliable transportation is necessary to travel throughout Santa Barbara County.

Classification, Hours and Pay Rate:
• Position is Part-time (30 hours per week), non-exempt, with benefits
• Pay rate dependent on experience

Please send cover letter of interest and resumes to:

Attention: HR
Family Service Agency
123 West Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fax: 805-965-2178
[email protected]

EOE

Requirements: 

1. MSW, MA, or BA in a related field required.
2. Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
3. One year minimum preferred advocating for adults involved in the criminal justice system, who often have histories of trauma, substance abuse related concerns, and mental health diagnoses.
4. Case management and / or experience working within complex societal systems (i.e. criminal justice, social services, medical, education).
5. Knowledge of issues related to criminal justice involvement for poor and under-served populations.
6. Demonstrated multicultural competency.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
8. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
9. Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
10. Computer and Internet literacy; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
11. Valid automobile insurance and a valid California Driver License.
12. Reliable transportation is necessary to travel throughout Santa Barbara County.

To apply: 

Please send cover letter of interest and resumes to:

Attention: HR
Family Service Agency
123 West Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fax: 805-965-2178
[email protected]

EOE

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
DOE
Submission deadline: 
Thursday, August 16, 2018