SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER

Description

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Parents Representation Program (PRP) is seeking a full-time Social Services Manager to work as part of a team to implement anti-racist practices, quality oversight and continual improvement of the Parents Representation Program (the Program). The Program administers contract social service professionals and contract attorneys’ representation to provide support for indigent parents involved in child dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings in Washington juvenile courts. The Program utilizes standards and protocols that historically have resulted in significant improvements in child permanency and family reunification.
  
Social Services Managers monitor and evaluate contracts in accordance with industry requirements. Social Services Managers work with OPD managing attorneys, support staff, contracted independent social service professionals, contracted attorneys, child welfare agencies and others as necessary to ensure parent clients receive quality assistance. They may also work in a variety of statewide committees or legislative initiatives. For more information about our program please visit our webpage. 

Periodic travel is required in Washington State, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)

The Office of Public Defense (OPD) is 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 here. 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.
 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated, prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

Program Description

The PRP administers contract attorney representation and independent social work support services for indigent parents involved in child dependency and parent rights termination proceedings in Washington family and juvenile courts. Managing Attorneys and Managing Social Services Managers are responsible for overseeing all contracts for a specified group of counties. The PRP utilizes standards and protocols that historically have resulted in significant improvements in child permanency and family reunification.

Parents Representation Program Purpose Statement

Ensuring a fair and equitable child welfare system by leading, administering, and supporting the effective and efficient delivery of multidisciplinary right-to-counsel services for indigent parents facing state intervention in the parent-child relationship.

Duties

General Responsibilities

• Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations.
• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, statewide stakeholder groups, and in demographically diverse local court systems.
• Diligently follow attorney and state employee ethics requirements.
• Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in social worker or related field.
• Seven years’ work experience in social services.
• Able to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with a diverse community of child welfare professionals and others. 
• Demonstrate understanding of and experience advocating against the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of communities disproportionately composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English speaking persons, and others who have been historically disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare and related law and justice systems. 
• Can prioritize tasks, and to function independently as well as part of a team in a collaborative environment. 
• Attention to detail and excellent writing and proofreading skills. 
• Work effectively with consumers of public defense services in either dependency and/or criminal proceedings and the systems that serve such individuals.
• Able to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with a diverse community of public defense contractors, legal systems, community service providers and others.
• Proficient with computer use and can become proficient in the use of specialized case management tools.  
• Attention to detail and excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel, as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or advanced degree in a related field.
• Preference given to individuals with prior direct experience and management working in public child welfare dependency and termination legal proceedings.
• Prior direct experience working for public defense attorneys providing direct legal representation.
• Demonstrated excellent client relationship building skills and commitment to providing client-centered advocacy for individuals served by public defense systems.
• Working knowledge of resources and issues relevant to individuals and families impacted by legal proceedings. 
• Experience with contract administration, or program development or program administration, or related field. 
• Experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class interact to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention in their lives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of the court system, laws and legal terminology.
• Have ability to prioritize tasks, function independently, as well as part of team in a collaborative environment. Ability and desire to communicate with and advocate for individuals impacted by public defense systems.
• Ability and desire to communicate with and advocate for individuals impacted by legal systems. 
• Have promoted systemic change in important aspects of legal service delivery.
• Experience with contract management and supervision.
• Knowledge of trauma informed practice.

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements

• To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for this position.

• Provide three professional or lived experience references with contact information - you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application or include with resume. 

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile. 

• Attach a current résumé. 

• A one-page, self-edited (not AI generated) writing sample describing how your management style is grounded in, and committed to, anti-racist practices and representation. 

• Contact ParentsRepAdmin@opd.wa.gov with questions about the position.
  

• If you need assistance with the online application process or have problems uploading the required materials, contact tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov.
  
  

COVID-19
With regard to COVID-19, OPD will follow the guidance of federal and state restrictions in considering any future at home or in office work requirements and will strive to maintain a policy that is safe for the office and individual employees. Currently, people working in the office must be vaccinated or have an accommodation approved by the Director.
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 year of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated, prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.
 
Teleworking
Our offices are in Olympia, Washington.  We have teleworking options available by policy, and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and the availability of adequate equipment.