Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor Job in Washington, DC

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

PDS Overview: 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, 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 management, 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.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Work Schedule: This is a full-time permanent on-site position with some remote work. The exact mix of in-person and remote work will depend on the needs of the Division, assignments that must be performed in person (e.g., probable cause and revocation hearings, client visits in detention facilities), and office space availability. For this position, it will be the attorney's responsibility to ensure that any remote work they perform complies with the ethical and practice requirements of the remote jurisdiction.

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 Delores Gray, HR Specialist at (202) 824-2371 or at HR@pdsdc.org.

PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an e-Verify Participating Agency

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following (Materials should be consolidated as a single PDF):

• cover letter;
• a traditional résumé with day telephone and email contact information;
• graduate school transcripts;
• a narrative statement addressing above KSAs;
• a writing sample;
• a current notice of personnel action (SF-50) if you are a federal employee;
• a list of three professional references; and
• your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable).

Next steps

Please read the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information.