Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Forensic Support Associate to join the Social Work Department in our Adult Criminal Defense Practice. While the position will be based in Brooklyn CDP, the Associate will also work with Queens CDP and other BDS practices.
BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.
BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.
The Social Work Department of BDS’ Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) works closely with attorneys in all practice areas, providing comprehensive services to help improve the life circumstances of clients and improve outcomes on their cases. The Department staff advocate from a trauma-informed lens and a client-centered perspective, support clients in court, provide crisis management, link clients with outside resources and communicate with service providers, as well as writing reports to assist the client in obtaining a favorable outcome.
The Forensic Support Associate will be stationed and supervised within the Brooklyn CDP Social Work Practice. In addition to Brooklyn clients, they will be required to regularly work with clients in Queens. They may also work with other units within the various BDS practices, including on research and reports that may cover all areas of BDS. In addition to escorting clients as needed, the Associate will be expected to meet with clients in person whenever possible for other duties.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychosocial interviews with incarcerated and community-based clients to assess trauma history, mental health needs, substance use, housing instability, family background, and immigration concerns.
- Gather collateral information from family members, treatment providers, and community supports to assist in forensic case development.
- Assist attorneys, social workers and mitigation staff in preparing pre-plea and sentencing mitigation materials.
- Coordinate diversion referrals and alternative-to-incarceration placements.
- Connect clients with community-based services including mental health treatment, substance use programs, housing resources, and reentry support and track client compliance and progress. This will include escorting clients to services as needed.
- Meet with clients in person in the community, in court, on Rikers Island and in other detention facilities as needed.
- Maintain accurate and timely case documentation within the office’s internal case management system, Litify.
- Compile reports to assist supervisors in tracking forensic referrals, mitigation outcomes, diversion placements, and service engagement metrics.
- Generate internal data reports to support grant applications and reporting, program evaluation, and policy advocacy efforts.
- Do research as assigned related to criminal and other legal systems and related/ancillary services and issues.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field.
- Experience working in forensic setting, including conducting psycho-social assessments and coordinating with service providers.
- Excellent and empathetic communicator.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Basic research skills and experience.
- Ability to utilize case and document management systems to track information and data.
- Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred.
Position Information
This is a non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position will be based at BDS’s offices in Downtown Brooklyn, but will require Queens-based work as well.
BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $59,113-$65,863 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.
Application Instructions
Please visit our Career Center to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by March 20, 2026.
Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity
employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and
inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities,
expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you
require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact
the Managing Director, H.R. Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.
