RFQ - Pool of Social Workers Forensic Commitment Program

STATE OF WASHINGTON—OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE
711 South Capitol Way, Suite 301
Olympia, Washington

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ
26014)

SOCIAL WORKERS FOR FORENSIC COMMITMENT PROGRAM

Information provided on this website does not apply to contractors.

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 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 10.77 RCW. OPD is requesting applications for social workers to support contracted attorneys and clients statewide. A contract social worker will work under the direction of attorneys to provide advocacy, release planning, case management and referral services, as well as limited mitigation and crisis intervention, to assigned clients.

Social workers are expected to advocate for clients currently committed to a state facility or who are in the community on a least restrictive alternative/conditional release. They must develop community resources for client release, including housing, mental health/substance use treatment, state and federal benefits, and client transport. Social workers must uphold confidentiality and attorney‑client privilege and, per the Washington State Bar Association’s Rules of Professional Conduct, act as non‑lawyer assistants under RPC 5.3.

A qualified applicant must:

• Hold a master’s degree in social work from an accredited institution.
• Have experience working with individuals with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities.
• Have experience in release planning from a correctional or institutional setting.
• Be able to work individually and collaboratively with defense attorneys and social workers, while maintaining an understanding of defense work that requires flexibility.
• Possess strong communication skills with multiple stakeholders and agencies, including OPD, prosecutors, state agencies, treatment providers, and landlords.
• Have knowledge of how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention.
• Be willing and able to travel to meet clients in the community and state hospitals and to explore community resources, including transporting clients when appropriate.
• Have knowledge of community and funding resources for individuals releasing into the community.
• Be aware of governing bodies of social work best practice as it pertains to ethics and standards of practice, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

The contract caseload for a full‑time social worker is approximately 1,650 hours of client services per year. The social worker shall use reasonable efforts to achieve this level of client services, which may include direct and indirect client advocacy and support, as well as continuing education and training related to the contract position. Annual compensation is $.

To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, resume, professional writing sample, and three references. Writing samples may include redacted release plans or excerpts of professional/academic presentations or reports.

Email materials to:
Laurel Brinson nson.gov

Please address any questions to:
Julia Newbold bold.gov

OPD reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and 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 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 workforce. Women, LGBTQ, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years, persons with a disability, and disabled and military veterans are encouraged to apply.