RFQ Social Services Worker Possession Advocacy and Representation Program; SPAR

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

Request for Qualifications

RFQ
26005

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. It 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 (2E2

SSB) 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.

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…