The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate Master’s Level Social Worker with a commitment to social justice to fill a position as the Director of Complex Advocacy in our Family Defense Practice.

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BXD seeks thoughtful, creative individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally-recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend.

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

Family Defense Practice

The Family Defense Practice (FDP) provides legal representation and social work support to parents charged with abuse and neglect of their children who are at risk of losing custody. Our Family Defense Practice is at the forefront of a movement to provide holistic representation to parents in the Bronx while creating long-term solutions for the reunification and stability of families.

Social Work

Strategizing with lawyers and other advocates, social workers at The Bronx Defenders assist the people we represent with issues that both precipitated and are exacerbated by contact with the criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal systems. Using a socio-ecological framework, social workers are responsible for conducting assessments, making referrals to treatment programs and social service providers, collaborating on case strategy, and working with attorneys and other advocates as part of a holistic defense team throughout the duration of the legal case. 

Social workers are integral to the representation of parents from poor communities charged with abuse/neglect of their children. Our Family Defense Practice social workers collaborate on interdisciplinary teams of lawyers and advocates and assist in the development of litigation strategy while connecting parents with the necessary services and support to advance their legal goals, support reunification with their children, and prevent Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) surveillance of their families. Reporting to the Family Defense Practice Director of Social Work, the Social Work Director of Complex Advocacy will specialize in providing advocacy on medically complex cases involving allegations of head trauma, fractures, failure to thrive, burns, fatalities and medical child abuse. Responsibilities include:

Direct Representation 

• Zealously advocate for parents in child protective proceedings involving complex medical issues in Bronx Family Court as a part of supporting their legal representation
• Advocate for parents at their children’s medical and treatment appointments at hospitals, medical clinics, and child advocacy centers
• Advocate for parents at Child Safety Conferences, and other conferences with ACS, the NYPD, prosecutors, and foster care agencies
• Assist legal team in obtaining medical records, photos, and other necessary discovery from parents we represent and institutions
• Identify and connect the parents we represent with appropriate service providers while maintaining communication with those service providers, obtaining documentation regarding services, and advocating for them
• Assist the legal team in identifying and speaking to family members, relatives, or supports to supervise visitation and placement reunification
• Facilitate monthly Support Group for Parents facing medically complex allegations
• Attend court appearances, including emergency hearing, trial, and dispositional appearances, to support parents

• Be on call to assist attorneys at intake and identify family resources for clients’ children in the event of separation

• Advocate for expansive and healthy visitation between children and their parents assisting with negotiation of visitation plans and schedules with ACS staff or the appropriate agency
• Effectively communicate and advocate with caseworkers, child attorneys' social workers, and representatives of the Administration for Children’s Services on behalf of parents
• Collaborate closely with attorneys on all aspects of case preparation, including developing case strategy, preparing for negotiations or trial, and identifying and working with experts
• Interview clients and assess clients’ priorities and needs, and make referrals and advocate for services to meet those priorities and needs
• Maintain consistent contact with parents we represent, including regular visits to NYC and NY jail facilities
• Assist with review of behavioral, medical, education, and other records
• Prepare the people we represent for court-related assessments
• Maintain case records in Bronx Defenders’ informational case management system
• In close consultation with attorneys, support clients through decision making, hearings, and trial 

Trainings 

• Collaborate with Complex Ligation Director to develop and facilitate internal and external trainings on medically complex cases
• Conduct Know-Your-Rights trainings for parents facing investigations of medically complex allegations
• Conduct trainings at hospitals with pediatric residents, child abuse specialists, and medical social worker staff 

Supervision 

• Supervise social workers and parent advocates working on cases involving medically complex issues and abuse allegations
• Co-facilitate with FDP SW leadership bi-weekly FDP Social Worker/Parent Advocate meetings
• Provide supervision coverage for social workers and parent advocates
• Build and maintain relationships with clients’ families and friends to engage the support of their community and help build case strategy,
• Collaborate with FDP SW Supervisory Team to coordinate emergency conference and case coverage
• Develop written guidance for Social Workers and Parent Advocates working on medically complex cases 

Strategic Leadership 

• Collaborate with the Director of Complex Litigation to identify defense experts in the field
• Collaborate with the Director of Complex Litigation, BXD’s Communications Team, and the FDP Policy Director to identify cases for narrative change regarding abuse cases
• Testify before city council and other legislative bodies on policies surrounding abuse related legislation.
• Collaborate with the Director of Complex Litigation to build relationships with hospitals and child abuse pediatricians
• Collaborate with Director of Complex Litigation to work with other parent defense providers on strategic advocacy and other litigation issues
• Collaborate with Director of Complex Litigation, the Impact Litigation Team, and FDP Policy Director to identify strategic change to increase the power of parents in child abuse cases and further parents’ due process rights

Participate in recruitment and hiring of new staff members

To be eligible for this position, candidates must have: 

• M.S.W. from an accredited School of Social Work
• Minimum of five years representing parents accused of abuse and neglect at risk of losing their children, including experience representing parents in res ipsa cases OR five years of experience in a hospital-based or medical social work setting or equivalent 

Candidates must demonstrate: 

• Commitment to directly defending parents accused of abuse and neglect by organizations such as the Administration for Children’s Service (ACS) and Child Protective Services (CPS)
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities targeted by carceral systems   
• Understanding of how systemic oppression affects marginalized communities and their experience in the criminal legal system
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences   
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers, and external service providers
• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of the people we represent  
• Effective written and verbal advocacy skills  
• Knowledge of substance use disorder, domestic violence, parenting, and mental health systems
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with external partners and service providers  
• Strong analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources while advocating in legal cases  
• Supervisory and mentoring skills, including
  • Ability to provide intentional and constructive feedback
  • Flexibility in balancing needs of supervisees against their own caseload
• Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment   
• Meticulous attention to detail  
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles  
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly  
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters  
• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level 

Preferred but not required: 

• Experience working with and on behalf of parents navigating the family regulation system
• Spanish language proficiency
• Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) Certification 

This is an in-person position subject to BXD hybrid policies. Candidates in this position must be available to work flexible hours, including nights and/or weekends when client needs arise.

Salary is commensurate with experience.  For candidates with 5-15 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $111,800 to $146,360. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended. 

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is not within the bargaining unit. 

This position is exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.  

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like for us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume is up to date. Please note that applications without a written cover letter or audio/video statement will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted through December 18, 2024. Please contact Noemi Cotto, Family Defense Practice Director of Social Work, via email at noemic@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position. 

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.