Address
Form of workSalary : $58,093.00 - $70,800.00 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-001880
Department:Public Defender
Opening Date: 12/18/2023
Closing Date: 1/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Public Defender's Office. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.
Current vacancy is with the Public Defender's Office located in Visalia and Porterville.
Typical Duties
Casework management including providing client needs assessments; development of re-entry plans; address medical care and mental health needs of incarcerated clients by evaluation, inside or outside of correctional facilities; assist out of custody clients to access medical, mental health, and substance abuse services; assist clients to obtain housing, employment and education; provide coaching/mentoring to assist clients in accessing services and completing programs of training to help them lead successful productive lives and to keep them from re-offending; act as liaison between attorneys, clients and mental health or other service providers; advise attorneys on sociological/mental health aspects of cases; assist attorneys in developing mitigation evidence in juvenile transfer hearings and capital cases; identify, locate and interview a variety of witnesses; identify, collect and review a vast array of records; identify and analyze issues in the case; prepare independent reports concerning the life history of the client, and assist attorneys in preparing evidence and witnesses to present to the jury as mitigation; prepare and maintain case records; maintain confidentiality of all information and materials handled. Prepare memos, letters, and reports. Interpret rules, regulations, and policies to clients. Attend pre-trials and other court hearings, present testimony and answer questions; this position will often require working holiday, evening, and weekend hours; ability to engage in significant travel throughout California and out of state is required; perform related duties as assigned. (Essential duties may vary from position to position within this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)
Employment Standards
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Social Work or a Master's degree from a two (2) year counseling program.
Experience: One (1) year of social casework experience working with adults.
Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of interviewing and counseling; laws, rules and regulations affecting the work of social service agencies and criminal offender populations; current problems and methodology in the field of public social service; community resources available to assist clients; techniques for diagnosing family situations and problems sufficient to develop, implement and monitor treatment plans; caseload management methods and techniques.
Skill/Ability to: Develop, implement and monitor treatment plans in difficult casework areas; effectively manage a complex caseload; evaluate personal and psychological factors within a family situation; conduct in-depth assessments involving psychosocial, rehabilitation and environmental issues; act effectively in stressful situations; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action; read, interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to social services programs; write clear, concise, grammatically correct case narratives, reports, records and letters; establish client-worker rapport on an individual basis; establish and maintain an effective working relationship with agency staff, community groups and organizations and the general public; verbally communicate sufficiently to explain technical information to people of various socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDSSpeak Spanish; demonstrated interest in or exposure to criminal offender populations.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate valid California driver's license.
Additional Information
Conditions of Employment
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate and valid California drivers license. Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
College Cost Reduction Access Act
This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bargaining Unit 20
The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.
Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.
Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.
FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.
Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 48 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
Group Term Life Insurance: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.
Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at
The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
01
List and describe your experience in the areas of social work and treatment counseling. Include number of months, hours worked per month, and the names of the entity/organization for each position (volunteer hours may be included.)
02
Describe your experience working in the criminal justice system, probation and/or parole.
03
Describe your experience working with indigent or low-income persons and/or groups.
04
Describe your experience locating treatment, counseling, educational, and/or job training programs for clients.
05
Describe your experience interviewing clients, evaluating their needs, and preparing written reports and recommendations.
06
Describe your experience requesting, reviewing, analyzing, and summarizing records and information.
07
Describe your experience developing and maintaining positive and productive working relationships with clients and other significant case participants.
08
Describe your experience with technology literacy, including but not limited to, the use of Microsoft Office applications, cloud storage, database programs, case management software, and news media research.
09
Describe your experience traveling to correctional institutions within and without the state to visit with incarcerated clients and witnesses.
10
Describe your experience investigating the facts and circumstances of the client's background including but not limited to the development of personal, family, and social histories and locating and interviewing potential mitigation witnesses for court proceedings.
11
Describe your experience researching and writing on a variety of related subjects, including mental health, intellectual disability, and the life history of the client.
Required Question
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-001880
Department:Public Defender
Opening Date: 12/18/2023
Closing Date: 1/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Public Defender's Office. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.
Current vacancy is with the Public Defender's Office located in Visalia and Porterville.
Typical Duties
Casework management including providing client needs assessments; development of re-entry plans; address medical care and mental health needs of incarcerated clients by evaluation, inside or outside of correctional facilities; assist out of custody clients to access medical, mental health, and substance abuse services; assist clients to obtain housing, employment and education; provide coaching/mentoring to assist clients in accessing services and completing programs of training to help them lead successful productive lives and to keep them from re-offending; act as liaison between attorneys, clients and mental health or other service providers; advise attorneys on sociological/mental health aspects of cases; assist attorneys in developing mitigation evidence in juvenile transfer hearings and capital cases; identify, locate and interview a variety of witnesses; identify, collect and review a vast array of records; identify and analyze issues in the case; prepare independent reports concerning the life history of the client, and assist attorneys in preparing evidence and witnesses to present to the jury as mitigation; prepare and maintain case records; maintain confidentiality of all information and materials handled. Prepare memos, letters, and reports. Interpret rules, regulations, and policies to clients. Attend pre-trials and other court hearings, present testimony and answer questions; this position will often require working holiday, evening, and weekend hours; ability to engage in significant travel throughout California and out of state is required; perform related duties as assigned. (Essential duties may vary from position to position within this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)
Employment Standards
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Social Work or a Master's degree from a two (2) year counseling program.
Experience: One (1) year of social casework experience working with adults.
Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of interviewing and counseling; laws, rules and regulations affecting the work of social service agencies and criminal offender populations; current problems and methodology in the field of public social service; community resources available to assist clients; techniques for diagnosing family situations and problems sufficient to develop, implement and monitor treatment plans; caseload management methods and techniques.
Skill/Ability to: Develop, implement and monitor treatment plans in difficult casework areas; effectively manage a complex caseload; evaluate personal and psychological factors within a family situation; conduct in-depth assessments involving psychosocial, rehabilitation and environmental issues; act effectively in stressful situations; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action; read, interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to social services programs; write clear, concise, grammatically correct case narratives, reports, records and letters; establish client-worker rapport on an individual basis; establish and maintain an effective working relationship with agency staff, community groups and organizations and the general public; verbally communicate sufficiently to explain technical information to people of various socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDSSpeak Spanish; demonstrated interest in or exposure to criminal offender populations.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate valid California driver's license.
Additional Information
Conditions of Employment
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate and valid California drivers license. Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
College Cost Reduction Access Act
This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bargaining Unit 20
The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.
Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.
Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.
FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.
Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 48 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
Group Term Life Insurance: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.
Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at
The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
01
List and describe your experience in the areas of social work and treatment counseling. Include number of months, hours worked per month, and the names of the entity/organization for each position (volunteer hours may be included.)
02
Describe your experience working in the criminal justice system, probation and/or parole.
03
Describe your experience working with indigent or low-income persons and/or groups.
04
Describe your experience locating treatment, counseling, educational, and/or job training programs for clients.
05
Describe your experience interviewing clients, evaluating their needs, and preparing written reports and recommendations.
06
Describe your experience requesting, reviewing, analyzing, and summarizing records and information.
07
Describe your experience developing and maintaining positive and productive working relationships with clients and other significant case participants.
08
Describe your experience with technology literacy, including but not limited to, the use of Microsoft Office applications, cloud storage, database programs, case management software, and news media research.
09
Describe your experience traveling to correctional institutions within and without the state to visit with incarcerated clients and witnesses.
10
Describe your experience investigating the facts and circumstances of the client's background including but not limited to the development of personal, family, and social histories and locating and interviewing potential mitigation witnesses for court proceedings.
11
Describe your experience researching and writing on a variety of related subjects, including mental health, intellectual disability, and the life history of the client.
Required Question
