What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor position at Public Defender Service?
Summary
The incumbent may be promoted without further competition upon completion of one year of exemplary performance, subject to approval of the PDS Director.
Location :
Public Defender Service
Office of Rehabilitation and Development
633 3rd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens and those authorized to work in the United States.
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
Qualifications
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 / 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.
Other Requirements : Incumbent must have no convictions as 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.
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.
Education
Please read the "Qualifications" section.
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 purposes (if applicable). Benefits include :
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 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.
Review our benefits
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.
Applicants must submit the following (Materials should be consolidated as a single PDF) :
cover letter;
Please send your application package in one combined PDF document documents in one PDF document. Applications MUST be emailed to PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org . 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-2025-01 : Forensic Social Worker / Forensic 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.
Agency contact information
Public Defender Service
PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org
Address
Public Defender Service for District of Columbia
633 3rd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Next steps
Please read the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries
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.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following (Materials should be consolidated as a single PDF) :
Please send your application package in one combined PDF document documents in one PDF document. Applications MUST be emailed to PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org . 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-2025-01 : Forensic Social Worker / Forensic 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.
Agency contact information
Public Defender Service
PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org
Address
Public Defender Service for District of Columbia
633 3rd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Next steps
Please read the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.