RFQ - Social Worker for Forensic Commitment Program

Full Job Description

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) seeks a contract social worker within the Forensic Civil Commitment Program in advocating for clients under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social and Health Services pursuant to Chapter 71.09 RCW.

OPD is an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state. OPD’s mission is to uphold 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

Position Overview

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Forensic Civil Commitment Program currently provides attorney representation to indigent clients with the right to counsel at State expense against whom sexually violent predator petitions have been filed under Chapter 71.09 RCW.

OPD is requesting applications for social workers to support contracted attorneys and clients, statewide.

This position will require frequent travel to the Special Commitment Center (SCC) in Pierce County and the Secure Community Transition Facilities in Pierce County and King County, as well as regular, state-wide travel to the client’s county of residence (can include all 39 counties).

Requirements

A contract social worker works at the direction of attorneys to provide advocacy, case management, release planning, resource coordination, mitigation, referral services, and limited crisis intervention to assigned clients.

Case assignments are made for the duration of time the case is being represented by the assigned attorney.

Social workers are expected to advocate for clients currently committed to the Special Commitment Center (SCC), or who are in the community on a less restrictive alternative (LRA).

Social workers must also work to develop community resources in anticipation of client’s needs upon release, to include but not limited to housing, sex offense treatment, mental health/substance use treatment, and state and federal benefits.

Regular in-person meetings with clients are expected, as well as remote communication (phone calls, video visits, etc.).

Social workers must understand and adhere to requirements of confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.

For purpose of interpretation of the Washington State Bar Association’s (WSBA) Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), social workers are considered “nonlawyer assistants” and are responsible to each referring attorney under RPC 5.3.

Qualifications

A Master of Social Work from an accredited institution is required to be considered for this position (no substitutions).

In addition, a qualified applicant must:

• Be comfortable working with individuals with sex offense histories (preference given to candidates with demonstrated experience working with this population);
• Have experience in working with individuals considered high acuity, those with mental illness, and/or those with developmental disabilities;
• Have experience in release planning from a correctional or institutional setting;
• Have the ability to work individually and collaboratively with defense attorneys and other social workers, while maintaining an understanding of the nature of defense work that includes the need to pivot and/or be flexible;
• Possess strong communication skills with multiple stakeholders and agencies, including OPD, Attorney General’s Office/prosecutors, various state agencies, treatment providers and landlords;
• Possess experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention in their lives;
• Have the ability to regularly travel to meet clients both in the community and state institutions throughout Washington and to explore community resources available;
• Have the ability to transport clients during an initial release period;
• Have knowledge of community and funding resources for individuals releasing into their communities; and
• Have an awareness of governing bodies of social work as it pertains to ethics and standards of practice, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Additional Information

Compensation

The contract caseload for a full-time social worker is approximately 1650 hours of client services per year.

The social worker shall use reasonable efforts to perform this level of client services, which could include direct and indirect client advocacy and support, as well as continuing education and training as it relates to the contract position, with an annual compensation of $115,716.00.

Application Procedure

Applications will be accepted until the position(s) are filled. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, resume, professional writing sample, and three references.

Writing samples could include redacted release plans or excerpts of professional/academic presentations or reports.

Email Materials to: Laurel Brinson at Laurel.Brinson@opd.wa.gov

Please address any questions to: Julia Newbold at Julia.Newbold@opd.wa.gov

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 obligate the State of Washington or OPD to contract for the services specified here.

Applications received in response to this Request for Qualifications may be added to an applicant pool and used to fill other positions of a similar nature across OPD.

The Washington State Office of Public Defense vigorously pursues diversity in the work force. Women, LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, persons with a disability, and disabled and military veterans are encouraged to apply.