Job Opportunities

The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) provides and promotes quality legal representation to indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty in the District of Columbia and thereby protects society's interest in the fair administration of justice. PDS is regarded as one of the best public defender offices in the country—local or federal. It is the benchmark by which other public defender systems often measure themselves.

The Social Work Intern assists the MHD social worker with case management for indigent clients facing involuntary civil and/or criminal commitment and NGI acquittees committed to the DC Department of Behavioral Health.

Social work interns assist the MHD social worker by:  attending treatment team meetings with clients; meeting with clients to obtain information, assist with completing forms, etc; acting as a liaison between MHD, the client and hospital staff; obtaining information from available social service agencies to a client’s suitability for services; document all work into the agency’s computer case tracking system; attending court proceedings.

Students must have strong written and oral communication skills, and be able to work with minimal supervision.

Email cover letter, resume, writing sample and 2 references (at least one from an employer) to:  [email protected],  OR fax to 202/824-2877, OR mail to:  PDS/MHD, Internship Application, 633 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004.

MHD internships usually begin mid-January, late May, and late August/early September – semesterly.  MHD internships usually last the duration of a semester, typically 12-15 weeks.