Job Title: Client Advocate
Department: Public Defender
Reports to: Chief Public Defender
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared Date: November 2024

SUMMARY: Assists attorneys representing clients in criminal cases. Duties include conducting biopsychosocial interviews with clients and their families, identifying issues related to intellectual disability, mental health, substance abuse, and trauma, referring clients to experts, obtaining medical and treatment records, creating treatment plans for substance abuse and mental health clients, and assisting in securing treatment placements for clients in need of services. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following (other duties may be assigned): 

Service Planning and Connection

Interview and build relationships with clients to understand their service priorities, identify potential collateral consequences or enmeshed penalties of arrest, and assess barriers to clients accessing desired services.

Build relationships with local community organizations and government agencies to maintain knowledge about available services and facilitate access for clients.

Develop and maintain a resource guide of available social and legal services available in the community and more broadly in Adams County.

Refer clients to appropriate community-based programs and other social services based on the client’s service priorities.

Identify potential non-criminal legal needs with a nexus to the client’s criminal case and refer clients to appropriate civil, family, and immigration legal partners for consultation and representation.

Depending on client need and attorney direction, assist clients with additional needs such as (but not limited to):

• Develop re-entry or release plans;
• Assist with program placement for behavioral health or substance use counseling;
• Coordinate with employers to maintain employment while client may be temporarily in custody;
• Assist clients with retrieving property held by police or other agencies as a result of their arrest;
• Navigate requirements to maintain or reinstate drivers’ licenses; and
• Enroll in school or other educational programs

Provide social services information/education to attorneys and clients.


Persuasive Mitigation

Conduct interviews of clients to collect information for biopsychosocial profiles.

Conduct interviews of client’s families to collect social history information.

Gather mental health, medical, educational and substance abuse treatment records.

Gather letters of support and other mitigation evidence for sentencing hearings.

Draft mitigation reports that summarize client histories, biopsychosocial profiles, and participation in services or other proactive steps being taken into persuasive narratives supporting improved client legal outcomes and testify to same in court.

Advocate for clients in the criminal justice system by investigating, developing, and presenting information that supports alternative sentences.

Initiate and maintain a variety of resource materials, files and records (computerized and manual) related to case mitigation and information gathered.

Other Duties

Maintain detailed knowledge of court processes and requirements; share information with clients and their families about the criminal legal process and assist them in overcoming barriers to meeting court requirements.

Collect and report data about work with clients using the public defender office’s case management system.

Perform other duties as assigned.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has limited supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university with a major in social work or a related field. One to three years’ previous experience in providing social services to people who are incarcerated or returning from incarceration, or low-income people seeking to access housing, employment, mental health counseling or substance use treatment is beneficial; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as law enforcement reports, governmental or agency regulations and legal interpretations. Ability to write clear, concise, and compelling reports, business correspondence and policy and procedure recommendations. Ability to speak effectively and persuasively before individuals, public groups and employees of the organization. Ability to communicate effectively with people of varying cultures, backgrounds, and education levels. Ability to defuse hostile or stressful situations through strong communication skills and to relate appropriately to people in times of emergency or crisis.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to organize and prioritize caseloads, calendar, and work assignments.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to grasp, touch or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk; or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions. Occasionally will do home or on-site visits. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EEO STATEMENT: Adams County is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Client Advocates in this placement will be compensated at $24.04 / hour or $50,000 annually. Advocates receive a competitive benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as generous paid time off. Advocates will also receive ongoing training and mentorship.

To apply for this position, please send a resume and brief cover letter to Jonathan Hoover at jhoover@adamscountyil.gov or drop off at the Public Defender’s Office at 521 Vermont St., Quincy, IL.