This position is located in the Office of Rehabilitation and Development and provides services to adult client arrested for serious violations in the District of Columbia. Under the general supervision of the division chief, the 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.
• 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.

Educational 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.

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 confinement.
4. Demonstrated excellent writing and oral persuasion skills and ability to communicate effectively to broad spectrum of people.
5. Demonstrated computer skills.
6. Familiarity with treatment and rehabilitation resources available in the D.C. metro area.
7. Knowledge of the court system.

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).

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

AD-0101-11/12/13 (equivalent to GS-11/12/13)

Salary Range: $78,592 to $102,166/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)
• Public Transportation Subsidy (funding contingent)
• 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. 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 social worker’ responsibility to ensure that any remote work they perform complies with the ethical and practice requirements of the remote jurisdiction.

• Cover letter and traditional résumé (with day telephone and email contact)
• A brief narrative statement addressing the above KSA’s. 
• Writing Sample
• Copy of college transcripts but must submit original copy prior to offer/employment
• 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 one combined PDF document; 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 2025-01: ORD Forensic Social Worker-2025).  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 Delores Gray, HR Specialist at (202) 824-2371or via email at [email protected].

 

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