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    Social Worker

    Bilingual Forensic Social Worker/Professional Counselor

    Expires: 2026-06-15
    Organization
    Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
    Salary
    $78,592 to $102,166/year
    Job Status
    Full Time
    Apply for job
    Washington, DC, USA
    Start Date: 2026-04-01

    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 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.
    Bilingual forensic social worker/forensic professional counselor will work on cases involving monolingual Spanish and English speaking clients.

    Requirements

    How to Apply: Applicants must submit the following (Materials should be consolidated as a single PDF)
    • cover letter;
    • a traditional résumé with daytime telephone number and email contact information;
    • graduate school transcripts;
    • a narrative statement addressing above KSAs;
    • a writing sample;
    • a list of three professional references; and
    • your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable).


    Please send your application package in one combined PDF document documents in one PDF document. Applications MUST be emailed to PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org. 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-2026-09 Bilingual Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor). All application materials become property of PDS and will not be returned. PDS will not accept application packages by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery. 


    Non-local candidates (outside 60 miles) can request to be interviewed via WebEx.

    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/professional counselor/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. Incumbent must also be able to access DC Correctional Facilities.

     

    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 arrested adults and understanding of the plight of persons from disadvantaged backgrounds.
    2. Direct defense experience working with adult clients on rehabilitation and sentencing 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 criminal court systems in D.C. or other jurisdictions.

     


    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.


    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 Megan Simmons, HR Specialist at (202) 731-5934 or the Office of Human Resources at HR@pdsdc.org.

    Job Contact
    Megan Simmons
    2027315934 msimmons@pdsdc.org