Supervising Paralegal 2, Social & Health Services Division, Seattle
State of Washington
FreshPosted Jan 28
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Posted: January 28, 2026 (1 day ago)
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RFQ Social Services Worker for the Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program
State of Washington
Office of Public Defense
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
Not specified
Type
Full Time
More Social Services jobs →Closes
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SES Pay Grade
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves working as a social service worker to support public defense clients charged with simple drug possession, helping them access treatment, housing, benefits, and other resources while collaborating with attorneys.
It's a contract role focused on creating personalized plans and providing crisis support to low-income adults navigating the legal system.
A good fit would be someone with experience in social services who is empathetic, organized, and committed to equity and client confidentiality.
Key Requirements
- Familiarity with social work best practices, ethics, and standards
- At least two years of experience in complex case management for vulnerable populations
- Knowledge of chemical health assessments, substance use treatment, and mental health services
- Skills in advocacy, referral services, and crisis intervention
- Ability to develop individualized case management plans addressing housing, transportation, and benefits
- Understanding of confidentiality requirements and attorney-client privilege
- Experience navigating government benefits and court systems for indigent clients
Full Job Description
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ26007
SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER FOR THE SIMPLE POSSESSION ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION PROGRAM (SPAR)
[BENEFITS INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS]
Expected Contract Period: This posting may be used to fill multiple contract positions anticipated to start ranging from March 2026 to December 2026.
This contract's current budget extends through June 30, 2027.
Application Due Date: Applications will be accepted until the contracts are fulfilled.
Location: This posting may be used to fill multiple contract positions statewide.
About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)
We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.
Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
Values: Justice ¦ Service ¦ Equity ¦ Excellence
Background on the SPAR Program: The 2023 Washington State Legislature appropriated funding to the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) to help counties and cities provide public defense services for individuals charged under the offenses created in Second Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (2E2SSB) 5536.
Our Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program administers and disburses these funds.
The legislature limited these funds to counties with a population of 500,000 or less, or to cities with a population of 200,000 or less.
Under RCW 2.70.200, OPD may provide reimbursement of eligible expenses to qualifying jurisdictions or, at the election of the jurisdiction, contract directly with indigent defense providers for consultation and representation services for indigent adults facing drug possession charges.
OPD will also develop and administer a social services component, providing defenders statewide with access to social service workers to assist public defense clients with navigating chemical health assessment and treatment requirements, and addressing other related challenges such as housing, transportation, and accessing government benefits.
Position Summary: The contract social service worker works at the direction of public defense attorneys to provide advocacy, mitigation, referral services, crisis intervention, and complex case management to assigned clients.
The social service worker develops individualized case management plans in collaboration with clients to meet various needs such as housing, mental health and substance use treatment, state and federal benefits, and court navigation.
The social service worker must understand and adhere to requirements of confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.
Compensation: The contract caseload for a full-time social service worker is 160 hours per month with an annual compensation of $86,400. Compensation may be pro-rated for part-time contracts based on hours worked.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Familiarity with social work best-practices, ethics, and standards of practice
- A minimum of two years of experience providing complex case management to meet a variety of client needs
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to travel to meet with clients within the designated service area
- Professional liability insurance or ability to provide proof of coverage by contract start date
- A dedication to understanding how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals involved in criminal court systems
- Commitment to client-centered advocacy
- Commitment to cultural competency and humility
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field from an accredited institution
- Familiarity with criminal court proceedings and alternatives to traditional prosecution
- Experience providing crisis intervention and referral services
- Ability to collaborate successfully with a variety of different professionals and community stakeholders
- Experience working with clients impacted by substance use
Social service practice may be informed by a range of professional, academic, and personal experiences.
At OPD we are dedicated to building a team with diverse perspectives and experiences; if you do not meet every desired qualification listed but feel you are a good fit, you are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply: Please send the following materials via e-mail to spar@opd.wa.gov. Questions regarding applications and completed applications can be sent to spar@opd.wa.gov.
1. Cover Letter describing how you meet the qualifications listed above and why you are interested in the contract;
2. Your Resume;
3. Two Professional References; and
4. Information about the following (can be included in your cover letter):
A.
Whether you hold any other current contracts for social service work, and with whom, including a description of any previous work you have provided to Washington State OPD as a contractor, or as an employee of a firm that contracts with OPD.B.
Other professional obligations, such as employment with other agencies or a private practice caseload.
This is a contract position. This position is not considered employment through OPD and is not eligible for state employee benefits.
OPD reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants. This Request for Qualifications does not oblige the state of Washington or OPD to contract for the services specified here.
The Washington State Office of Public Defense vigorously pursues diversity in the work force.
Women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, people with lived experience in the juvenile/criminal legal system, and military veterans are encouraged to apply.
[BENEFITS INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS]
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