Social Work Intern

OPD is seeking MSW candidates interested in public defense and criminal justice advocacy to join our semester-long Social Work Internship program.

The Orleans Public Defenders Office provides holistic community-based representation in New Orleans. We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered team model that puts the client first and takes a 360-degree approach to our advocacy and representation. We recognize our clients are unique individuals and work to address their needs both in the court and out. Our diverse staff includes adult and juvenile attorneys; social workers; client youth and parent advocates; investigators and administratorsall working together for equal justice for our clients their families our community and a better New short we protect innocence defend the Constitution demand justice and hold power accountable.

WHAT YOULL DO :

Social Work Interns will join our Client Services Division and be partnered with a Staff Social Worker during the internship. This internship will give you unique insight into the criminal legal system and criminal defense representation in New Orleans. Interns will work to support and improve advocacy for clients through the case process increasing success upon this role interns will assist the Social Worker in identifying alternatives to incarceration and utilize individual mitigation plans to reduce detention for our clients and divert clients to more appropriate social services and treatment. This includes direct client contact engagement with community members and coordination with various social service and professional entities.

Social Work Interns are required to abide by OPDs confidentiality policy and to act at all times in the best interest of OPDs clients. Social Work Interns will receive assignments and tasks directly from a Staff Social Worker. Depending on the Staff Social Workers assigned attorneys caseload the Social Work Intern will be exposed to a wide range of cases : juvenile transfer cases adult misdemeanor and felony cases. The Staff Social Worker will provide direct guidance supervision and feedback to the Social Work Intern.

More specifically a Social Work Interns duties may include :

• Visiting clients in jail conducting intake assessments and meeting and communicating with clients families
• Communicating with jail staff as necessary to advocate for clients needs
• Preparing thorough and intensive mitigation reports that include family educational social health and mental health histories of clients and their families
• Connecting clients to treatment programs and social services and ensuring clients have information for services post-release
• Fostering and maintaining collaborative partnerships with governmental and nonprofit agencies who provide mental health housing addiction and social services

QUALIFICATIONS :

To be eligible candidates must be able to attend the full training program at the beginning of the term.

WHAT INTERNS GAIN FROM THIS PROGRAM :

This internship will give you unique insight into the criminal legal system and criminal defense representation particularly in New Orleans. This includes direct client contact engagement with community members and coordinating with various social service and professional entities.

This is an unpaid position but we encourage applicants to obtain funding through their schools or other available outside sources. Field hour requirements and supervision will be coordinated between you your supervisor and your school.

UPCOMIING INTERNSHIP TERMS :

We are currently accepting applications for the following term :

Spring 2026 (13 weeks)

Application Deadline : November 28 2025

Interviews : conducted on a rolling basis through December 5 2025

Acceptance Notice : December 8 2025

Mandatory Training : JanuarySat. & Sun.

Term of Service : January 24 April 24 2026

TO APPLY :

Qualified and interested applicants please complete the online application here and submit all of the following :

Incomplete applications will not be considered. For questions about the hiring or application process please contact Hannah Basalone at

OPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is needed at any time during the hiring process please contact Sharee Garnett Director of Human Resources at or .

OPD is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race color religion creed age gender sex sexual orientation national origin disability veteran status political affiliation or genetic information.

OPDs mission is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation reforming the system and partnering with the community. OPD is committed to representation that respects the humanity and dignity of those within the criminal legal system.

Required Experience :

Intern

Key Skills

Campaigns,Abinitio,AutoCAD 3D,Hardware & Networking,Customer Support,Arabic

Employment Type : Intern

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1