The mission of the Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS) is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for persons who qualify for a public defender. The legal services provided by OPDS represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.
OPDS has a unique opportunity for a Deputy Chief Trial Defender to create, develop, and maintain the Criminal Trial Division of the agency. This division will be responsible for direct trial level criminal defense representation for individuals qualifying for a public defender in the State of Oregon. The Criminal Trial Division will represent individuals regionally with the initial primary focus on representing individuals that are unable to be represented by local public defense offices or other contracted services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Design and build regional trial level public defender offices across Oregon starting in the Portland metro region, Southern Oregon, and the Central Willamette Valley, including the hiring, training and supervision of trial level attorneys, investigators, and support staff.
Create and implement an employee manual articulating business practices for trial level attorneys, investigators, and support staff.
Participate in local and statewide public safety committees as a representative of the criminal defense bar.
Share responsibility for the continued growth and development of the attorneys, investigators, and support staff including drafting and approving written performance reviews, attend performance reviews, and participate in the internal promotion processes.
Provide direct representation for individuals who qualify for a public defender.
Oversee and direct case assignment, caseload management, and conflict and overflow reversions.
Track case production to monitor attorney development and section performance.
In coordination with the Chief Information Officer, oversee and maintain case management program.
Ensure all case information, tracking and data is maintained in a timely and accurate manner in the state’s financial and case management database(s).
Oversee and coordinate internal training and development programs, including biannual CLEs.
Attend law school and bar-sponsored career fairs and recruiting events.
Track and oversee section and attorney responses to PCR claims, bar complaints, and tort claims.
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.
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.
Other duties as may be assigned from time to time at the discretion of management.
This position requires in-office work in the Portland Metro region, Southern Oregon, and Central Willamette Valley, but is eligible for hybrid work at the discretion of the agency.
BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:
ODPS offers a broad range of opportunities for attorneys to work on significant and complex issues that face our state and make a difference to the citizens of Oregon while providing unparalleled career satisfaction and professional prospects. Additional benefits include:
A competitive benefits package, vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, as well as 11 paid holiday per year
Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon
THE WELL QUALIFIED APPLICANT WILL HAVE:
A vision for trial level public defense in Oregon.
Excellent communication skills with public defense clients and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds including people experiencing homelessness, behavioral health issues, poverty, and non-English speakers.
The ability to build a collaborative and supportive work environment for attorneys, investigators, and support staff.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Strong analytic, research, writing, communication, and trial advocacy skills
Demonstrable knowledge of substantive and procedural criminal law, appellate law, constitutional issues arising in criminal cases, evidence, and administrative law and procedure
Ability to analyze legal documents, organize facts to effectively present evidence and other material in written and oral form, and to present persuasive arguments in written and oral form.
Ability to mentor and offer constructive feedback to attorneys, investigators, and support staff to promote professional development.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, judges, law enforcement, district attorneys, elected officials, as well as with the general public.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Graduation from an accredited college of law
Member of the Oregon State Bar, or membership with another state and the ability to obtain Oregon member status within six months of hire.
A minimum of five years of management experience.
A minimum of five years of legal experience handling difficult legal assignments with minimal supervision.
A minimum of five years of experience in criminal law.
Desired Attributes:
Previous experience as a public defender
Experience working collaboratively with public safety partners on criminal justice policies
Bilingual (language and/or cultural knowledge of Spanish, Russian, Chuukese, Vietnamese, Hindi, ASL, or Portuguese is desirable)
To submit your application, visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage: https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/...
Please ensure that your application is up to date. Be sure to attach your resume and cover letter.
This announcement is for one (1), full-time, permanent, Deputy Chief Trial Defender (Chief Deputy Defender). This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
If you have questions about the job announcement, or need to request an ADA Accommodation to apply, please contact the Recruiter: Katie Matysik at [email protected] or 503-779-4806