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) for 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.
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