RFQ Social Service Professional Possession Advocacy and Representation; SPAR Program
Listed on 2026-06-18
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Social Work
Family Advocacy & Support Services, Human Services/ Social Work, Government Administration, Public Health -
Government
Human Services/ Social Work, Government Administration, Public Health
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS RFQ
26007 SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL FOR THE SIMPLE POSSESSION ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION PROGRAM (SPAR)
Expected Contract Period:
This posting may be used to fill multiple contract positions anticipated to start ranging from March 2026 to December 2026. The contract's current budget extends through June 30, 2027.
Application Due Date:
Applications will be accepted until the contracts are fulfilled.
Location:
This posting may be used to fill multiple contract positions statewide.
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.
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 professionals 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.
The contract social service professional 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 professional 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 professional must understand and adhere to requirements of confidentiality and attorney‑client privilege.
The contract caseload for a full‑time social service professional 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
- 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 crisis intervention and referral services
- Ability to collaborate successfully with a variety of different professionals and community stakeholders
- Experience working with clients impacted by substance use
Please send the following materials via e‑mail to spar.gov. Questions regarding applications and completed applications can be sent to spar.gov.
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