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, professional counselors, 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.

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 coordination, and collaboration with legal and/or juvenile justice agencies and other parties working with our clients,

This position is located in the Office of Rehabilitation and Development and provides services to clients seeking reduced prison sentences via compassionate release or the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act. Under the general supervision of the chief of the division, incumbent will have two primary duties, the ratio of which will vary depending on the needs presented by the agency’s IRAA/CR caseload: Developing reentry plans and reentry coordination.  Incumbent will perform the following duties: Work in concert with legal counsel on behalf of PDS clients. Visit and interview clients, family, and other collateral contacts to establish personal background and reentry needs. Visit clients at their residence, jails, prisons (outside of the District of Columbia), group homes/halfway houses, and other similar locations. Develop and draft detailed and comprehensive reentry plans geared to the specific and individual needs of each client, evaluate and recommend treatment options and community-based programs. Attend DC Superior Court proceedings and provide oral advocacy (when appropriate). Identify and make referrals for mental health and medical services, substance abuse treatment, education, and other services. Work with local social service agencies and reentry service providers 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. 


Implement the reentry plan upon clients’ release by assisting clients’ connections with supervision, housing, employment, counseling or other support, and other reentry services.  This will include serving as clients’ primary contact regarding coordination of reentry services, while working with other team members in implementing the reentry plan. 

A master’s degree or higher in social work, counseling, or related degree, a clinical license, two years of post-graduate professional, advanced experience as a social worker/professional counselor/case manager or other comparable experience, or an advanced year graduate school internship placement at a social work department of a public defender office that handles major felonies. Incumbent must also be able to access DC and Federal Correctional Facilities.

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.

 

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.

Experience with reentry plans and reentry coordinating. Familiarity with DC area reentry services.

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.


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.


1. Experience working with adults in the criminal legal system.
2. Direct defense experience working with adult clients on rehabilitation and dispositional issues.
3. Demonstrated excellent writing and oral persuasion skills and ability to communicate effectively to a diverse range of people.
4. Demonstrated computer skills.
5. Familiarity with treatment and rehabilitation resources available in the D.C. metro area. 
6. Knowledge of the criminal court systems in D.C.

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This vacancy is open to US Citizens or those authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants must submit the following (All materials should be consolidated as a single PDF):

• cover letter;
• a traditional resume with daytime telephone number and email contact information; 
• a narrative statement addressing above KSAs; 
• a writing sample; and
• a list of three professional references.

Please send your application package in one combined PDF document.  Applications must be emailed 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-2026-32: Reentry Specialist).  All application materials become property of PDS and will not be returned.  PDS will not accept applications by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery.