Resource Counsel (Deputy General Counsel)

Initial Posting Date: 08/12/2024 Application Deadline: 09/23/2024 Agency: Office of Public Defense Services Salary Range: $10,791 - $15,942 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Resource Counsel (Deputy General Counsel) Job Description: RE-POST: If you have recently applied for this position during the prior recruitment, you need not re-apply. Your application is still under consideration. We invite you to join our team at the Oregon Public Defense Commission and become an integral part of our success story! We are seeking a Resource Counsel (Deputy General Counsel) professional our Salem office. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to public defense the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. If this career opportunity aligns with your passion and goals, we encourage you to take the first step and apply today!    *This recruitment will be opened until the position is filled and may close at any time. *   WHO WE ARE  The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is a 13-member commission appointed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court based on input from all three branches of Government. The Commission serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.       The mission of OPDC is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for persons eligible for a public defender.       The office includes the Executive Division, the Appellate Division, the Trial Division, the Trial Support & Development Division, and the Administrative Services Division. The agency negotiates contracts with trial level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education.  Financial Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases, juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases, and parole cases. Other services in the agency include, Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.    WHAT YOU WILL DO   This Resource Counsel will work as part of a collaborative team, and in conjunction with CAP and the public defense community, to develop qualification, performance, and training standards for attorneys and core staff who provide public defense services and to provide ongoing oversight and monitoring for these public defense service providers. The person in this position will work closely with the Program Analysts for the position’s assigned jurisdictions, to identify and deliver resources, technical assistance, and programs directed at improving public defense practice.   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  Graduation from an accredited college of law AND member of the Oregon State Bar. Five (5) years full-time experience in the practice of law AT LEAST three (3) of which must be in the practice of criminal or juvenile defense, or a related field.   DESIRED ATTRIBUTES FOR THE RESOURCE COUNSEL ROLE  The most competitive candidates will possess the following attributes, experience, and knowledge.  At least five (5) years of criminal law practice, preferred. Passion for improving the quality of public defense practice through systemic reform and the development of standards and resources to support public defense providers. Experience handling murder, civil commitment, and/or postconviction relief cases. Experience in public defense practice in rural and frontier jurisdictions. Experience working and communicating with a diverse array of public defense stakeholders, including attorney and non-attorney providers, judges, and court staff. Strong oral and written communication skills; and Experience utilizing a data-informed approach in the development and refinement of written organizational policies and procedures. SALARY RANGE   $10,791 – $15,942 APPLICATION GUIDANCE AND REQUIREMENTS  Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.   External applicants: View this application instructional video. A PDF is also available by clicking here.   REQUIRED: Attach your most up-to-date Resume. Please ensure your Workday profile matches your submitted resume.   REQUIRED: Attach a Cover Letter that demonstrates how you meet the “Desired Attributes” for this position. A Cover Letter that does not meet the required criteria will be graded as ineligible.  REQUIRED: Writing sample; at least 3 pages and no more than 5. DUTIES    Quality Assurance Review, evaluate, and respond to requests for certification of attorney qualifications to provide public defense representation.  Work closely with the other members of Trial Support & Development and the CAP Division to adopt performance standards for public defense providers.  Work closely with the other members of Trial Support & Development and the CAP Division to develop and continuously refine standardized data collection tools and assessment processes to monitor and evaluate provider quality and identify regional needs.   Conduct site visits, courtroom observations, review of summarized provider activity and caseload data, structured stakeholder interviews/surveys and provider meetings to monitor and evaluate the performance of public defenders.  Review, evaluate, and respond to written complaints regarding public defense providers.  Assess and respond to provider quality assurance concerns, as evidenced through data trends, stakeholder complaints, and court observations.  Develop relationships and maintain communication with public defenders, non-attorney providers, and other stakeholders and system partners in assigned jurisdictions.    Training & Resource Development Collaborate with other members of Trial Support & Development and public defense stakeholders in the development of a statewide training plan for attorney and non-attorney public defense providers. Identify existing trainings for public defense providers that satisfy components of the statewide training plan and coordinate the presentation of information regarding access to those trainings for providers. Develop trainings for public defense providers to meet training plan components, in coordination with state and national organizations and subject matter experts. Program Management Provide advice and support to the Program Analyst assigned to the position’s jurisdictions regarding contract provisions, right to appointed counsel, and assignment of counsel.  Provide advice and support to Preauthorized Expenses and review exceptional requests as needed.  Policy & Procedure Development Coordinate with the Policy Team within the CAP Division to identify areas in which written policies and procedures are needed.  Work with the Policy Team to develop written policies and procedures, providing subject matter expertise regarding public defense practice.  Systems Improvement Participate in related workgroups and task forces, in consultation with Trial Support & Development Manager.  Research and stay up to date on policy, legislative, and legal developments that could impact criminal defense practice.  Ongoing Engage in effective team participation through willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work-related associations.   Develop good working relationships with internal and external customers and supervisors through active participation in cross-divisional group projects and in identifying and resolving problems in a constructive, collaborative manner.  Perform work in a manner that consistently promotes safety and wellness in the workplace and promptly reports safety concerns to management.  Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment in a manner that fosters and promotes the importance and value of a diverse, discrimination and harassment-free workplace. Respect diversity of opinions, ideas, and cultural differences WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU   You will become part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package!   An agency that supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness.   Generous benefits package including, employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).   The posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. Candidates are screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluates various factors. Please see the Pay Equity website for more information.    RECRUITMENT TIMELINE   *These dates are approximate and may change. *   Recruitment Closes: Monday, September 23, 2024; and may close at any time. Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going   Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes: On-going   Interviews: Beginning week of Monday, September 9, 2024 Anticipated Start Date: As soon as Monday, October 2, 2024.   **APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR APPLICANTION WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**    VETERANS PREFERENCE  Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting. For more information, please go to the State website: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx    The Oregon Public Defense Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce.  Assistance will be provided in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.  Please call (503) 991-2274 as early as possible regarding any assistance you may require.    Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”