Forensic Social Worker/Professional Counselor

Forensic Social Worker/Professional Counselor Washington, DC Job Details Full-time $82,764 - $107,590 a year 22 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Master's degree in social work Computer operation Teamwork Computer literacy Writing skills Correctional experience Criminal defense law Social work Collaborating with government agencies Mid-level Master's degree Case management Counseling Computer skills Social Work Practicing as a mental health professional Referral coordination Master's degree in counseling Home visits (communication methods) Community resource coordination Full Job Description The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an eleven-member board of trustees. PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS's approximately 230 employees, comprised of attorneys, social workers, professional counselors, mitigation specialists, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff, collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS's main office is located at 633 3rd Street, NW, Washington, D.C. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. Employment at the Public Defender Service (PDS) is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will.

Division Description:

The Office of Rehabilitation and Development (ORD) provides the clinical component of the defense in the representation of adult and/or juvenile clients. ORD assists staff attorneys and, at times, attorneys practicing under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) develop least restrictive, individualized sentencing and rehabilitation plans for clients, in-depth mitigation reports, case-based counseling, case coordination, and collaboration with legal and/or juvenile justice agencies and other parties working with our clients.

Major Duties:

This position is located in the Office of Rehabilitation and Development and provides services to adult clients arrested for serious violations in the District of Columbia. Under the general supervision of the chief of the division, incumbent will evaluate clients and devise, recommend, and implement individualized service/treatment options in the least restrictive settings as well as memoranda in aid of sentencing and in-depth mitigation reports. Incumbent will perform the following duties: Work in concert with legal counsel on behalf of PDS clients and, at times, appointed counsel clients through the Criminal Justice Act (CJA). Visit clients, family, and other collateral contacts to establish personal background and history summaries. Visit clients at their residence, jails, hospitals, group homes/halfway houses, and other similar locations. Develop dispositional plans geared to the specific and individual needs of each client, evaluate and recommend treatment options and prison programs (where appropriate). Identify and make referrals for mental health and medical services, substance abuse treatment, education, and other services. Work with local social service agencies to identify programs and resources for clients and their families, and keep abreast of and develop cooperative relationships with service organizations and legal agencies to assist clients with matters related to their rehabilitation and develop dispositional strategies.

Required Qualifications:

A master's degree or higher in social work, counseling, or related degree, a clinical license, three years of post-graduate professional, advanced experience as social worker/professional counselor/case manager or other comparable experience, or advanced year graduate school internship placement at a social work department of a public defender office that handles major felonies. Incumbent must also be able to access DC Correctional Facilities.

Other Requirements:

Incumbent must have no convictions as g defined in DC Code Section 14.305 (b) (1) (Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime). Reliable transportation is necessary as travel is required in and around the DC area.

Preferred Qualifications:

Professional mental health experienced applicants are highly desired and encouraged to apply[J1] .

How you will be evaluated:

Your application package includes your letter of interest, resume and requested supporting documents. Please ensure your application package includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient evidence in your application package and requested supporting documents can result in rejection of your application package. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Required:

In addition to a traditional resume, candidates should submit a separate narrative statement addressing the following quality ranking factors. These factors will be used to distinguish the best-qualified applicants from a group of persons basically qualified for the position. Failure to submit your narrative response for this position will negatively affect your eligibility and/or rating for this position.

• Experience working with arrested adults and understanding of the plight of persons from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Direct defense experience working with adult clients on rehabilitation and sentencing issues.
• Knowledge of social work concepts and concepts related to rehabilitation and alternatives to confinement.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and oral persuasion skills and ability to communicate effectively to broad spectrum of people.
• Demonstrated computer skills.
• Familiarity with treatment and rehabilitation resources available in the D.C. metro area.
• Knowledge of the criminal court systems in D.

C. or other jurisdictions.

How you will be evaluated:

Your application package includes your letter of interest, resume and requested supporting documents. Please ensure your application package includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient evidence in your application package and requested supporting documents can result in rejection of your application package.

Rating:

Your application package will be rated and ranked among other applicants, based on your experience, education, training, and awards relevant to the duties of this position. Your rating can be lowered if your application package is not supported by the requested documents.

Referral:

If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application package will be referred to a hiring manager for consideration at which time you may be invited to participate in a selection interview.

Interview Structure:

Those who are selected for interviews will be required to interview via Web- X, Skype, or some other communications platform.

Note:

PDS reserves the right to interview prior to the closing date. How to

Apply :

Applicants must submit the following (Materials should be consolidated as a single PDF) cover letter; a traditional résumé with daytime telephone number and email contact information; graduate school transcripts; a narrative statement addressing above KSAs; a writing sample; a list of three professional references; and your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable). Please send your application package in one combined PDF document documents in one PDF document. Applications MUST be emailed to . To ensure your application receives proper consideration, the subject line of your application email MUST include the job announcement number and the position title (i.e.

PDS-2026-11

Forensic Social Worker/Professional Counselor). All application materials become property of PDS and will not be returned. PDS will not accept application packages by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery. Non-local candidates (outside 60 miles) can request to be interviewed via WebEx. PDS will not accept application packages by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations which will be decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact Megan Simmons, HR Specialist at (202) 731-5934 or the Office of Human Resources at .

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$82,764.00 - $107,590.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person