Introduction
As a State agency, Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or genetic information.
All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors, and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work in various positions, and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.
Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503 tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov
The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is a statewide independent agency charged with providing superior legal representation to indigent defendants. The agency’s vision is Justice, Fairness and Dignity for All. Employees are committed to the core values of maintaining a culture of excellence, providing client-centered representation and tenacious advocacy, and unity in achieving the agency’s mission.
OPD’s Parental Defense Division represents parents and guardians when the Department of Social Services has, or wants to, remove their children and place them in state custody. OPD is seeking Parent Advocates (parents with lived experience with the family policing/child welfare system) to serve as members of the legal defense team alongside lawyers and social workers. In addition to providing our clients with high-quality legal defense, the goals of the teams include keeping children out of foster care, shortening lengths of stay for children in foster care, promoting quality visiting arrangements, ensuring that families receive services that they feel they need to address the family’s social needs, and providing out-of-court advocacy on behalf of the parents. We are seeking people who are eager and motivated to help other parents get through their ordeal with the foster system. These are grant-funded positions contingent on the renewal of matching grant funds.
GRADE
Trainee Level ASTD7 $16.47- $23.35 per hour
I Level ASTD8 $16.47- $24.84 per hour
II Level ASTD9 $16.85 - $26.44 per hour
LOCATION OF POSITION
94 Franklin St., Annapolis, MD 21401
14753 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
200 Washington Ave, Towson, MD 21204
Main Purpose of Job
The Parent Advocates are key members of the legal team. They provide peer support and advocacy to individuals who are involved in Child In Need of Assistance and Termination of Parental Rights cases.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:
*Establish a relationship with the parent and provide support from the perspective of a parent with lived experience;
* Collaborate with defense team members including attorneys and social workers;
* Communicate with defense team members via text messages, emails, and phone calls;
* Advocate for parents and guardians, out of court, to advance their goals;
* Support parents in applying for public benefits, medical assistance, and other related services;
* Develop and provide resources to support parents with ongoing DSS cases;
* Establish and maintain community partnerships;
* Attend out-of-court meetings at which advocacy is necessary, such as Family Team Decision Meetings (FTDM)s and service plan meetings;
* Provide support to parents during court hearings;
* Assist with data collection and reporting, including entering data in electronic case files.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Family Support Worker Trainee:
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: None.
Note: Candidates may substitute experience providing support services to children or adults through care giving or teaching and demonstrating practical living skills in order to promote and maintain independent living or assist in preserving the family structure, on a year-for-year basis, for the required education.
A minimum of 2 years of uninterrupted time in recovery (where applicable) and/or 1 year since the closing of a CINA or TPR case.
Family Support Worker I:
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: One year of experience providing parent advocacy and/or peer recovery services or completion of one of the following certifications:
CCAR, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and/or Certified Community Health Worker. A minimum of 2 years of uninterrupted time in recovery and/or 1 year since the closing of a CINA/TPR case.
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: None.
Note: Candidates may substitute experience providing support services to children or adults through care giving or teaching and demonstrating practical living skills in order to promote and maintain independent living or assist in preserving the family structure, on a year-for-year basis, for the required education.
Family Support Worker II:
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Two years of experience providing parent advocacy and/or peer recovery services or completion of Registered Peer Supervisor certification. A minimum of 2 years of uninterrupted time in recovery and/or 1 year since the closing of a CINA/TPR case.
Notes:1. Candidates may substitute nine credit hours from an accredited college or university in a human service program or human development program such as child development, sociology, social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, criminology, juvenile justice, human growth and development, human services, or mental health for one year of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Social Services classifications or Social Services specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Show interest in working with parents who are entangled with the family policing/child welfare system
* Have basic computer skills and telecommunications skills
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
2. Some positions in this classification may be assigned duties that require the employees to acquire and maintain a license as a Certified Nursing Assistant or a Geriatric Nursing Assistant from the Maryland Board of Nursing at 4201 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21215. Information may be obtained at www.mbon.org/main.php. Obtaining this license within a specified time may be a condition of appointment or probation for these types of positions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Employees in this classification who work with families with dependent children must successfully complete an approved entry-level training program before permanent appointment to positions.
2. Employees in this classification may be required to have access to and use their personal automobile in order to transport clients. Verification of appropriate vehicle insurance, which shall include coverage for transporting clients, must be provided to the department prior to the performance of transport duties. Standard mileage allowance will be paid for the use of a privately owned vehicle.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination will consist of a rating of your relevant lived experience, education, and training experience related to the requirements of the position. You may be required to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all experience and education that is related to this position. Applicants selected for an interview may be required to complete a writing sample onsite during the interview process.
BENEFITS
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled.
The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12-month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications preferred. Please fax all paper applications and questionnaires to (410) 333-2260.Inquiries regarding applications and submitting paper applications can be directed to: Office of the Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202; or by calling (410) 767-8500, toll free: 877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service 800-735-2258.
Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing. A paper copy of the MD State application form and questionnaire can be downloaded from the link below.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
