Social Service Practitioner III / II / I- Public Defender

Overview

The Office of the Public Defender is hiring Social Service Practitioners (SSPs) to provide professional social work services to adult and juvenile clients and their families as they navigate through the criminal justice system. SSPs investigate and / or support cases involving clients with physical or psychological issues, including writing mitigation reports and mental health plans. SSPs may appear and testify in court, attend San Bernardino County SARB meetings to address truancy, participate in outreach events, and may act as preceptors to social work interns.

Eligibility note : Applicants within three (3) months of completing their Master of Social Work degree will be considered for the SSP I level.

Salary and benefits : 3% salary increase planned for August 2025. Excellent benefits for employees and dependents. Flexible schedule with a 4 / 10 option.

Responsibilities

Provide professional social work services to clients and families in the criminal justice system. Investigate and / or support cases involving clients with physical or psychological issues. Prepare mitigation reports and mental health plans. May appear in court and attend SARB meetings. Participate in outreach events and act as a preceptor to social work interns. Develop and implement treatment plans to improve social functioning and prepare biopsychosocial reports as requested by attorneys. Provide referrals and coordinate access to available supportive services throughout the County and State. Meet with indigent clients in various settings (home, jail, prison, state hospitals, etc.).

Qualifications and Career Levels

• Social Service Practitioner I (Trainee class) : Works under close supervision while acquiring skills to investigate / support cases. Education : within three (3) months of completing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited university.
• Social Service Practitioner II

Must possess a completed MSW degree. No experience required. Training and advancement opportunities exist with defined timelines.

MSW degree required and 3 years full-time County service as SSP II (or County-approved equivalent).

Assignment Location

Locations may include Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, or Victorville. Applicants must be willing to accept assignment at any of these locations. Assignments are based on department needs with location preference considered where possible.

Training and Advancement

SSP I and SSP II are eligible for promotion to SSP II and SSP III upon meeting program requirements, training, and satisfactory progress. Advancement details : SSP I to SSP II ($66,476-$84,801 to $69,742-$95,867 annually) upon MSW completion and training; SSP II to SSP I (note : this line reflects internal structure and may be reworded for clarity in the live posting). After 3 full years (6,240 hours) of service as an SSP or County-approved equivalent, SSP II may advance to SSP I with a salary of $75,088-$103,521.60 annually. Note : Service hours at SSP I level may not count toward SSP II to SSP III advancement.

Conditions of Employment

Benefits

Review benefits information : HERE for more Employee Benefits information. Alternative Modified Benefit Option (MBO) may provide increased base pay with modified benefits; see the MBO Benefits Summary Guide for details.

Reciprocity : San Bernardino County has reciprocity with CalPERS and other California counties.

Application Procedure and Notices

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the application and supplemental questionnaire. Applicants are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of qualifying experience and skills. All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applications will be accepted until further notice; apply as soon as possible as recruitment may close at any time. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and / or supplemental questionnaires.

To ensure timely submission, complete and submit the online application before the posted deadline. You will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email after successful submission. If you do not receive confirmation, the application may not have been received. For technical assistance, review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line.

EEO / ADA : San Bernardino County is an equal employment opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant employer. ADA accommodations are available in testing processes upon request.

Veterans' Preference : Eligible veterans and their spouses may receive additional preference points. Please review information and instructions on how to request Veterans' Preference points.

Please review HERE for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process

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