Case Worker

About the Role

The Travis County Public Defender's Office (PDO) is a comprehensive, client-centered, independent, and innovative public defender office. It provides high-quality holistic defense representation and support to clients, including youth in Juvenile Court and adults—particularly those living with serious mental illness, intellectual, or developmental disabilities—in Criminal Court. As a key part of the interdisciplinary team, the case worker collaborates closely with clients, PDO attorneys, and other advocates to provide case support, including intensive case management, eligibility determination for social services, crisis intervention, and short-term case management.

Responsibilities

• Interviews clients at various locations, including jails, community settings, court, and homes, and develops a strengths-based needs assessment.
• Requests medical, educational, and institutional records as needed to support legal cases.
• Provides case management services, including ongoing assessment of client needs, development of casework/service plans, progress support, and follow-up.
• Delivers social services related to crisis intervention.
• Coordinates with service agencies, organizations, and vendors to provide appropriate services, information, and referrals for clients.
• Serves as an advocate on behalf of clients, making referrals and "warm hand-offs" to social service, education, and health agencies.
• Interprets eligibility requirements, policies, and procedures to clients, agencies, vendors, and governmental entities.
• May provide short- and long-term case management, crisis intervention, service coordination, independent living skills assistance, and vocational/employment support.
• Reminds clients of court dates and mandated appointments; provides transportation as needed.
• Documents all client services and related communications thoroughly and timely in the case management system.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences and two (2) years of experience in social services-related work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender’s Office.
• Ability to interview indigent clients to assess their legal and social support needs.
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish.
• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating for or supporting people/communities directly impacted by the criminal, immigration, or indigent civil legal system.

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures, and terminology of assigned function.
• Local social services, organizations, programs, and available resources.
• Federal, State, and Local program laws and requirements.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and methods.
• Computer equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and software packages.
• May require knowledge of federal and state laws regarding the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Providing client assistance and using effective interviewing techniques.
• Problem-solving, decision-making, and referring clients to appropriate social services.
• Math computation and operating modern office equipment, including computers.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Effectively engage with persons experiencing crises and economic stress.
• Work under high-pressure circumstances while maintaining professionalism.
• Prepare accurate and complete records and reports.
• Demonstrate sound judgment in the effective and efficient use of human and financial resources.
• Manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
• Communicate effectively and establish/maintain working relationships with clients, outside agencies, County employees, officials, community organizations, clinical/social service providers, and the public.

Work Environment & Additional Information

The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and values diversity in its workforce. All applicants should be dedicated to fostering an environment where staff and clients feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. The office prioritizes candidates with experience or thoughtfulness in working with marginalized communities.

Physical requirements include occasional lifting/carrying of up to 25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity for operating computers and office equipment. The role may involve standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting.

Employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Schedule

• Standard hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• May require work on nights, holidays, and weekends.

Location: 1010 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701. Post-offer criminal background check required.