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Job Opportunities at PDS
Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor
About The Job
PDS Overview:
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 214 employees, comprised of attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff, collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s main office is located at 633 Indiana Avenue, 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 Overview:
Position Description:
The Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor position is located in the Office of Rehabilitation and Development.
Security Clearance Required: Not Required
Supervisory: No
Travel Required: 15-20% outside of the DMV.
Relocation Authorized: No
Telework Authorized: Yes, as determined by agency policy.
Drug Testing Required: No
Major Duties:
• 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 on behalf of PDS clients and, at times, appointed counsel clients through Criminal Justice Act (JCA).
• Visit clients, family, and other collateral contacts to establish personal background and history summaries.
• Visit clients at their residence, jails, 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.
• 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.
Required Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
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.
Education Requirement -master’s degree or higher in social work.
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.
Qualifications Required:
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.
Conditions of Employment Requirements: Additionally, proof of full vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is conditions of employment with the exception of those who apply for and receive reasonable accommodation based on their health (disability) or sincerely held religious belief as reasons for not being vaccinated. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process. Please contact Eugene Mayo, Director, Human Resources at (202) 824-2325 or at [email protected]
Preferred Qualifications:
Application Evaluation:
Your application package will be rated and ranked among other applicants based on your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, 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.
Number of vacancies:
Pay Series:
Compensation:
Benefits:
Who May Apply:
How to Apply:
Your application package includes your (1) cover letter of interest, and résumé, 2) Copy of your most recent SF 50 Notice of Personnel Action (if available) with personally identifiable information redacted; and 3) a list of three references that include name, address, telephone number, and a statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills to Brigette Carrington, HR Specialist, Office of Human Resources, 633 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004; via fax (202) 824-.2194; or as a MS Word or PDF document attachments to the following email address: [email protected] The vacancy announcement # and title of the vacancy MUST APPEAR on the subject line of the email.
Required Documents: (1) a cover letter5 and resume; (2) a copy of your most recent SF 50 Notice of Personnel Action (if available0 with personally identifiable information redacted: and (3) a list of three references that include name, address, telephone number, and a statement of how each reference will evaluate you.Interview Structure: Interviews may be in person or via Cisco Web-X.
Non-local candidates (outside 60 miles) can request to be interviewed via Cisco Web-X.
Note: Those who previously applied for PDS Vacancy Announcement #2022-34 (Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor) need not reapply. Your application materials will automatically be considered for this vacancy announcement.
All application materials become the property of PDS and will not be returned for questions or concerns related to this vacancy announcement, please contact HR Specialist Brigette Carrington at 202 824-2237 or at the e-mail above.
Contact Name and Number: If you have any questions about the position, application, or hiring process, please contact Brigette Carrington, HR Specialist at (202) 824-2237 or email to: [email protected]
Contact Address: 633 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Contact Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer
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 235 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s main office is located at 633 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will.
PDS is an E-Verify participating agency. Please see the Right to Work Poster and the E-Verify Participation Poster for more information.
PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.