NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE (NDS) is creating NDS Hays County, a new nonprofit, client-centered, collaborative, holistic public defense office to provide criminal defense representation and related services to residents of Hays County, Texas. The office will open in January 2023.

Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes.

This position reports to the Social Worker.

Responsibilities:

• Embrace NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence.
• Provide vigorous support with energy and enthusiasm to clients.
• Conduct client intake interviews and gather information for both the legal and client advocacy teams. Provide emotional support and identify clients who are in need of more intensive support.
• Work closely and collaboratively with team members to advocate for reduced bail, reduced sentences, and/or alternatives to incarceration for clients. This advocacy includes:
  • Gathering factual mitigation through interviews and obtaining records;
  • Analyzing records;
  • Researching and recommending alternatives to incarceration;
  • Writing pre-pleading memoranda to judges and prosecutors seeking reduced sentences and alternatives to incarceration.
• Work closely with clients to:
  • Make appropriate referrals to address clients’ social service needs (drug treatment, mental health treatment, housing, and other benefits)
  • Assist clients in navigating available social service agencies;
  • Advocate on behalf of clients to social service agencies;
  • Advocate for their needs while they are detained.
• Advocate orally and in writing on behalf of clients to judges, programs and prosecutors
• Provide Spanish/English interpretation for non-Spanish speaking staff members.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A demonstrated commitment to criminal and immigration justice, indigent defense, racial equity, social justice issues, and a substantive understanding of the biases impacting our clients.
• Doggedness and resilience combined with people and situation smarts.
• An ability to quickly build relationships with people of varying identities, income levels, races, and ethnicities.
• An ability to work cooperatively in a team setting.
• A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload and multi-task in a very fast-paced environment.
• Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Spanish language fluency is required.

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. Exceptional benefits package includes full medical and dental for employee and family, retirement, life and AD&D insurance, paid vacation, holiday, and sick time.

How to Apply:

Interviews are being held on a rolling basis, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to texashiring@neighborhooddefender.org with the subject line, “Hays Client Advocate.”

Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS values and specifically seeks applicants who are people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non‐ conforming, and gender fluid people.