RFQ Social Worker for Forensic Civil Commitment Program - Pasco, United States - State of Washington

Description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

Job Type: Various Job Types

Job Number: 2024-OPD RFQ24033

Department: Office of Public Defense

Opening Date: 05/24/2024

Description

STATE OF WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ24033

SOCIAL WORKER FOR

FORENSIC CIVIL COMMITMENT PROGRAM

(BENEFITS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE

DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS)

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD): We are 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.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

We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD's programs click We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.

Position Overview
The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Forensic Civil Commitment Program currently provides state funded 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, as well as state-wide travel, dependent of client county of residence.

Duties

General Statement of Duties
A contract social works at the direction of attorneys to provide advocacy, mitigation, referral services, limited crisis intervention, and release planning to assigned clients. 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 offender treatment, mental health/substance use treatment, and state and federal benefits. 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 Rules of Professional Conduct, social workers are considered "nonlawyer assistants" and are responsible to each referring attorney under RPC 5.3.
Qualifications

A qualified applicant must:

• Have a Masters of Social Work from an accredited institution;
• Have experience in working with individuals with sex offense histories or with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities;
• Have experience in release planning from correctional or institutional setting;
• Be able to work individually and collaboratively with defense attorneys and social workers, while maintaining an understanding of the nature of defense work that includes the need to pivot and/or be flexible;
• Have good communication with multiple stakeholders, including 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;
• Be able to travel to meet clients both in the community and the SCC and to explore community resources available;
• Have knowledge of community and funding resources for individuals releasing into the community; and
• Be aware of governing bodies of social worker best practice as it pertains to ethics and standards of practice, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Supplemental Information

Compensation
The contract caseload for a full-time social worker is 160 hours a month with an annual compensation of $99,

Application Procedure
Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, resume, and three references.

Email Materials to:
Lindsey Townsend at

Please address any questions to:
Julia Newbold at

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.

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

More than Just a Paycheck
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

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