Social Work Assistant - Lima, OH

About the role

This position is a Special Project position funded through June 30, 2027, as part of our Northwest Regional Hub project in Lima, Ohio, serving Allen, Hardin, and Putnam Counties. You will serve as a Social Work Assistant in the Northwest Regional Hub (NWRH) of our Trial Services Division.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic assessment of clients’ needs for medical, financial, and housing assistance and community resources.
• Assess referred clients who are at moderate-high risk to reoffend and clients who have been judicially released and are on diversion or community control.
• Interview clients, review clients’ case files, speak with clients’ attorney.
• Request client records (including but not limited to court records, medical records, education records, jail/program records for jail time credit purposes).
• Make necessary referrals and submit paperwork for eligibility determination by provider.
• Research available resources at government entities, faith and community-based organizations, and other service providers.
• Aid in securing medical benefits, housing, utility bill assistance, veterans assistance, and other assistance.
• Identify availability and accessibility of appropriate and effective community interventions that will address the client’s needs and coordinate community linkage services as appropriate for client and client’s family while the client’s case is pending disposition, until client has successfully completed diversion, or until client’s community control ends.
• Track client progress and outcomes.
• Participate in planning of support systems for clients.
• Maintain data on all current clients; maintain data on local social services; track client data; track court-ordered evaluation scheduling and communicate with stakeholders to monitor completion and records.
• Input records and case notes into web-based case management system.
• Prepare and maintain required reports and/or progress notes.
• Maintain working relationships with attorneys, justice stakeholders, clients, families, and facilities.
• Under the direction of State Assistant Public Defenders, prepare written and oral statements for in-court presentations as needed.
• Coordinate attorney calls to clients and attorney visits to county jails and state prisons.
• Assist with retrieving documents at county, state, and federal courts and other offices.
• Provide administrative and clerical assistance.

Requirements

The Social Work Assistant Position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s 1199 Pay Schedule, Pay Range 9, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 180 days and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well. FY26 Rate Type Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Hourly $24.69 $25.69 $26.68 $27.78 $29.08 $30.43 Annual $51,355 $53,435 $55,494 $57,782 $60,486 $63,294

Qualifications

The preferred candidate will have professional or volunteer experience helping to pursue a fair justice system and strong communication and organization skills. This position has intermittent travel needs that may change week-to-week, based on business or client needs.

Skills

• Mental Health
• Building Trust
• Collaboration
• Confidentiality
• Customer Focus
• Organizing and Planning

Benefits

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

Pay

The Social Work Assistant Position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s 1199 Pay Schedule, Pay Range 9, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 180 days and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well. FY26 Rate Type Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Hourly $24.69 $25.69 $26.68 $27.78 $29.08 $30.43 Annual $51,355 $53,435 $55,494 $57,782 $60,486 $63,294

Schedule

Full-time

Professional Skills

• Building Trust
• Collaboration
• Customer Focus
• Organizing and Planning
• Confidentiality

Agency Contact Name and Information

Christina Black
HCM@opd.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Allen County-Lima