RFQ Social Services Worker for the Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program (SPAR)

Full Job Description

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RFQ26005

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 contract is anticipated to start between December 2025 and May 2026.

This contract extends through June 30, 2026, with the possibility of renewal July 1, 2026.

Application Due Date: Applications will be accepted until the contracts are fulfilled.

Location: This posting may be used to fill multiple contract positions in King, Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties.

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:

Desired Qualifications:

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]