Bilingual Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor AD-11 (GS-11)

This position is located in the Office of Rehabilitation and Development and provides services to adult client arrested for serious violations in the District of Columbia. Under the general supervision of the division chief, the incumbent will:

• Evaluate clients and devise, recommend, and implement individualized service/treatment options in the least restrictive settings as well as memoranda in aid of sentencing and in-depth mitigation reports.
• Work in concert with legal counsel on behalf of PDS clients and, at times, appointed counsel clients through the Criminal Justice Act (CJA).
• Visit clients, family, and other collateral contacts to establish personal background and history summaries.
• Visit clients at their residence, jails, hospitals, group homes/halfway houses, and other similar locations.
• Develop dispositional plans geared to the specific and individual needs of each client, evaluate and recommend treatment options and prison programs (where appropriate).
• Identify and make referrals for mental health and medical services, substance abuse treatment, education, and other services.
• Work with local social service agencies to identify programs and resources for clients and their families and keep abreast of and develop cooperative relationships with service organizations and legal agencies to assist clients with matters related to their rehabilitation and develop dispositional strategies.
• Bilingual forensic social worker/forensic professional counselor will work on cases involving monolingual Spanish and English speaking clients.

Other Requirements:

Incumbent must have no convictions as defined in DC Code Section 14.305 (b) (1) (Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime). Reliable transportation is necessary as travel is required in and around the DC area.

Professional bilingual (English/Spanish) mental health experienced applicants are highly desired and encouraged to apply.

Your application package includes your letter of interest, resume and requested supporting documents. Please ensure your application package includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient evidence in your application package and requested supporting documents can result in rejection of your application package.

AD-11 (equivalent to GS-11)

PDS-ORD-0101-11-11: $78,592 to $102,166/year 

Promotion Potential: AD-13 (equivalent to GS-13)

Note: The incumbent may be promoted without further competition upon completion of one year of exemplary performance, at the discretion of the PDS Director.

PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and employees are entitled to participate in federal benefits plans, federal retirement systems, and the workers compensation program. Transferring federal employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes (as applicable). Benefits include:

• Federal Employees Retirement Systems (retirement annuity)
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K program)
• Federal Employees Health Benefits (health insurance)
• Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (life insurance)
• Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (for health care and dependent care)
• Public Transportation Subsidy (funding contingent)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Federal Occupational Health (access to health clinic and services)

Work Schedule: This is a full-time permanent on-site position with limited remote work. 

Promotion Eligibility Requirements: This position is advertised at the PDS grade AD-11 (equivalent to a GS-11) will require a one full year performance level to be considered for a promotion to PDS grade AD-13 (equivalent to the GS-13).

How to Apply: Applicants must submit the following (Materials should be consolidated as a single PDF)
• cover letter;
• a traditional résumé with daytime telephone number and email contact information;
• graduate school transcripts;
• a narrative statement addressing above KSAs;
• a writing sample;
• a list of three professional references; and
• your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable).


Please send your application package in one combined PDF document documents in one PDF document. Applications MUST be emailed to PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org. To ensure your application receives proper consideration, the subject line of your application email MUST include the job announcement number and the position title (i.e.PDS-2026-09 Bilingual Forensic Social Worker/Forensic Professional Counselor). All application materials become property of PDS and will not be returned. PDS will not accept application packages by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery. 


Non-local candidates (outside 60 miles) can request to be interviewed via WebEx.

PDS will not accept application packages by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery.

For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations which will be decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact Megan Simmons, HR Specialist at (202) 731-5934 or the Office of Human Resources at HR@pdsdc.org.