Preferred Education: A Juris Doctor or a Master’s Degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Sociology, Writing, Journalism, Anthropology or related degree. 

OR
A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Law, Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Writing, Journalism, Anthropology or other related fields, and at least two years of specialized experience as a Mitigation Specialist or related experience.

NOTE: Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by PDS.

Special Instructions For Foreign Education: Applicants who are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.  For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 

Other Requirements: (1) applicant must have insured, reliable and available transportation; (2)  applicant must have no convictions as defined in D.C. Code Sec. 14.305(b)(1) (Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime); (3) applicant must be a US Citizen or authorized to work in the United States.

All candidates are subject to a criminal background check.

Preferred Education:  Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or a Master’s Degree or higher in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Counseling, or related degree. 

Highly Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Ability to interpret complex rulings and opinions and determine applicability to the client.
3. Demonstrated experience working independently.
4. Direct defense experience working with adult clients on rehabilitation and dispositional issues.
5. Knowledge of psychological, psychiatric, addiction, medical, and all concepts related to rehabilitation and alternatives to confinement.
6. Demonstrated excellent writing and oral persuasion skills and ability to communicate effectively to broad spectrum of people.
7. Demonstrated computer skills.
8. Fluency in Spanish (reading and writing).
9. Familiarity with treatment and rehabilitation resources.
10. Knowledge of the court system. Detailed knowledge of the prison system in general, and specific aspects of prison life such as solitary confinement, prison conditions, etc.

How you will be evaluated:  Your application package includes your résumé and required supporting documents. Please ensure your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a rejection of your application package.

Rating: Your application package will be rated and ranked among others based on your experience, education, writing sample, 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 required documents.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application package will be referred to a selecting official for consideration at which time you may be required to participate in a selection interview. 

Interview Structure:  Those who are selected for interviews will be required to interview in person or via WebEx.

Telework: This is a full-time, temporary position that will expire on September 30, 2024.  Currently the Division requires two days of in office work, but that may increase.  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., hearing in court and in facilities, client visits in detention facilities), and office space availability.   Telework:  This position is telework eligible.

You must provide a complete package which includes (1) a traditional résumé (with day telephone and email contact); (2) graduate school transcripts (if applicable); (3) a narrative statement addressing above KSAs; (4) a writing sample (preferably a mitigation report or sentencing memorandum); (5) a list of three references; and; (6) your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable), (7) 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 HR Specialist Brigette Carrington, Office of Human Resources, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Job Announcement PDS# 2023-26, 633 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 as MS Word or PDF document attachments to the following email address: [email protected] vacancy announcement PDS#-2023-26 and title of the vacancy MUST APPEAR on the subject line of the email. 

***PDS Does Not Accept Application Packages Via Email, Mail or Fax***