131 Social Worker (Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor) Jobs in Washington, DC
US Public Defender Service for the District of... is Hiring a Social Worker (Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor) Near Washington, DC
Duties
If hired at PDS Grade 12, a candidate may be promoted without further competition upon completion of one year of exemplary performance and upon maintenance of active professional social work (LICSW) or professional counselor license (LPC), subject to approval of the PDS Director.
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 for indigent individuals who are charged with criminal offenses in the District of Columbia and face a loss of liberty. PDS has approximately 200 employees, most of whom work at our main office located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. The PDS staff consists of approximately 100 attorneys, and approximately 100 social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical employees. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in certain federal benefits plans: health and life insurance, federal retirement system, and the Thrift Savings Plan.
Employment at the Public Defender Service (PDS) is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are "At-Will."
Division Description and Position Background: The Mental Health Division (MHD) provides legal representation to the District of Columbia residents, who have been involuntarily institutionalized for treatment of mental illness; who have been found incompetent to stand trial; or who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGI). In addition, the MHD staff regularly advises local and national advocacy groups, testify before the D.C. Council on legislative reforms and frequently provide critical assistance to trial division attorneys.
Major Duties: The incumbent of the position serves as a forensic social worker or forensic professional counselor responsible for direct support to NGI acquittees pursing both conditional and unconditional release from their commitment. NGI acquittees must demonstrate to the Court that they have sufficiently recovered their sanity such that they are not likely to endanger themselves or others, if released. The process of release is intricate and slow. The average length of commitment is twenty-six years. The incumbent will have to be well-versed with all aspects of the acquittee's recovery and work collaboratively with counsel of record to achieve the desired outcome for the client.
Additionally, the incumbent will:
- Evaluate clients, devise, recommend, and implement case strategies for the client's successful return to the community and ultimate release from commitment.
- Develop conditional release plans according to the individual needs of the client.
- Prepare extensive persuasive, legally and clinically-based analytical psychosocial assessment which are submitted to the court.
- Provide follow-up visits, care and coordination of services for clients who are released to the community to ensure continued stay in the community and to avoid re-hospitalization.
- Research, analyze, and interpret clinical literature for persuasive advocacy.
- Independently manage clinical and legal case records/files.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, private organizations, and services throughout the District of Columbia Metropolitan area.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- All candidates are subject to a criminal background check.
Qualifications
- All applicants must have an active District of Columbia licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
- All applicants must have one year of experience as social worker/case manager or other comparable experience in criminal defense mitigation, court-based client advocacy (for the mentally ill and/or dually diagnosed), or direct clinical services (mental health and/or dually diagnosed) for indigent clients in a criminal justice setting (i.e., Drug Court, Mental Health Community Court, etc.).
- 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 dispositional issues.
- Knowledge of social work concepts and concepts related to rehabilitation and alternatives to involuntary hospitalization and/or confinement.
- Intense knowledge of mental illness.
- 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 court system.
- Detailed knowledge of the mental health system in general, and specific aspects of the experience related to those committed to mental institutions, including the effects of institutionalization.
- Experience in crisis intervention counseling and de-escalation.
To qualify for the Grade 12, a candidate must possess the aforementioned educational requirement and at least one year of general experience (described below):
- General experience is progressively responsible experience in social work concepts, counseling, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the forensic social work duties
To qualify for the Grade 13 a candidate must possess the aforementioned educational requirement and at least 2 years the following specialized experience:
- Candidates must have demonstrated and progressively responsible experience that is in, or closely related to, the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to apply a body of concepts, regulations, decisions, or statutes; extracting data from various sources; and dealing with people for purposes such as assessing mental health and identifying rehabilitation resources for social work or similar purposes.
Highly Desired Qualifications:
- Candidates with bilingual Spanish/English skills are strongly encouraged to apply.
Education
Educational Qualifications:
All applicants must possess at least a master's degree, or higher in either Social Work, Counseling, or another related field.
Additional information
Benefits:
PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and employees are entitled to participate in federal benefits plans, federal retirement systems, and the workers compensation program. Transferring federal employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement (if applicable) purposes. Benefits include:
- Federal Employees Retirement Systems (retirement annuity)
- Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K program)
- Federal Employees Health Benefits (health insurance)
- Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (life insurance)
- Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (for health care and dependent care)
- Parking Space (for Investigative Specialists)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Federal Occupational Health (access to health clinic and services)
Location:
Public Defender Service
Mental Health Division
633 3rd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Benefits
Review our benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application package includes your cover letter, resume and requested supporting documentation. 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 a 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.
Benefits
Review our benefits
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Please read the "How to Apply" section.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
For consideration applicants must submit the required documents listed below. Failure to submit will result in an incomplete application. Please upload the required documents as one PDF attachment. Multiple transcripts should also be uploaded to one document as well.
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 a rejection of your application package. Your application package should include the following:- Cover letter and traditional résumé (with day telephone and email contact);
- A brief narrative statement addressing the above KSA's. *Please refer to the "Other Required Qualifications" section of this announcement;
- Copy of college transcripts but must submit original copy prior to offer/employment;
- Copy of your active District of Columbia license as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC);
- Your most recent performance appraisal;
- A list of three professional references with brief description on how each reference is able to attest to your skills/experience; and
- Please include the name, email and telephone number and the relationship (i.e. Direct Supervisor, Indirect Supervisor, Mentor etc.)
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 2024-10: Forensic Social Worker-2024).
All applicants' materials become property of PDS and will not be returned.
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 Teresa Oliver, Senior HR Specialist at (202) 824-2352 or at TOliver@pdsdc.org.
PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an E-Verify Participating AgencyAgency contact information
Public Defender ServiceEmailPDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.orgAddressPublic Defender Service for District of Columbia
633 Indiana Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
USNext steps
Please read the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Criminal history inquiries
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Financial suitability
- New employee probationary period
- Privacy Act
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Selective Service
- Signature and false statements
- Social security number request
Required Documents
Please read the "How to Apply" section.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S.
Job Summary
Full Time
$62k-82k (estimate)
09/07/2024
11/06/2024
The job skills required for Social Worker (Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor) include Social Work, Community Health, Commitment, Communicates Effectively, etc. Having related job skills and expertise will give you an advantage when applying to be a Social Worker (Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor). That makes you unique and can impact how much salary you can get paid. Below are job openings related to skills required by Social Worker (Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor). Select any job title you are interested in and start to search job requirements.
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