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

Educational Qualifications: 
All applicants must possess at least a master’s degree, or higher in either Social Work, Counseling, or another related field.

Grade Qualifications:

All candidates must possess the above noted educational qualification and one year of general experience as described below:

• General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the clerical duties such as filing, telephone usage, typing, record keeping, etc.

Qualifications Required for the Grade 13

To qualify for the Grade 13 a candidate must possess the aforementioned educational requirement and at least 1 year 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 rules, regulations, decisions, or statutes; extracting data from various sources; and dealing with people for purposes such as assessing eligibility for and advising on benefits and obligations for social services or similar purposes.  

Other 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.).

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 job will negatively affect your eligibility and/or rating for this position.

1. Experience working with arrested adults and understanding of the plight of persons from disadvantaged backgrounds.
2. Direct defense experience working with adult clients on rehabilitation and dispositional issues.
3. Knowledge of social work concepts and concepts related to rehabilitation and alternatives to involuntary hospitalization and/or confinement.
4. Intense knowledge of mental illness
5. Demonstrated excellent writing and oral persuasion skills and ability to communicate effectively to broad spectrum of people.
6. Demonstrated computer skills.
7. Familiarity with treatment and rehabilitation resources available in the D.C. metro area.
8. Knowledge of the court system.
9. 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.
10. Experience in crisis intervention counseling and de-escalation.

Key Requirements:

(1) Applicant must be a US Citizen or have current authorization to work in the United States; (2) Incumbent must have no convictions as defined in D.C. Code Sec. 14.305(b)(1) (Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime); (3) Incumbent must have a valid U.S. driver’s license; (4) incumbent must own or have ready use of an insured, reliable, and privately-owned motor vehicle and must be insured as the driver for that vehicle (rental cars and car services are not acceptable substitutes).

Highly Desirable Qualifications: 

• Applicants with bilingual Spanish/English skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

AD-12/13 (equivalent to GS-12/13)

Salary Range: $94,199 to $145,617/year 

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 (as applicable). 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)

 Telework: This position requires on-site presence, both in the office and in the field, as necessary to meet the demands of the role. Currently, this position is eligible for telework in accordance with the organization's policy. 

• 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

• Please include the name, email and telephone number and the relationship (i.e. Direct Supervisor, Indirect Supervisor, Mentor etc.)

 

Please send your application package in MS WORD or PDF documents; please combine application documents in 1 PDF document, if able. Applications MUST be mailed to [email protected]. 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 Tereasa Oliver, Senior HR Specialist at (202) 824-2352 or via email at [email protected].

 

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