Job Description and Duties
The Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID) of the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is seeking an experienced and driven attorney committed to improving indigent defense in California by supporting defenders litigating emerging areas of criminal law, including California Racial Justice Act (RJA) claims and other new forms of relief.
By legislative mandate, OSPD’s IDID provides technical assistance to county-based indigent defense systems, direct training and resources to California’s defenders, and engages in activities to improve indigent defense across the state.
The IDID Resource Attorney serves as a statewide expert on novel and developing areas of criminal law, developing model motions, template briefing, and other tools and supports for defenders litigating across California trial courts. The Resource Attorney stays abreast of all developments in criminal law, with a particular emphasis on the RJA and related statutes, conducts case consultations, cultivates experts, and develops resources for trial level defenders. In addition to direct defender support, the Resource Attorney provides strategic technical assistance to policy makers and other stakeholders around the RJA and other emerging laws. The Resource Attorney will draft amicus briefs, memos on developments in caselaw, and assist OSPD’s internal appellate counsel with briefing and materials, as needed, to advance the RJA and other statutes relevant to defense practice. The Resource Attorney works both independently and collaboratively to increase the capacity of defenders across California to successfully litigate the RJA and other ameliorative law changes.
Working Conditions
OSPD has two regional offices located in Oakland and Sacramento.
The Oakland office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near the 12th Street BART station, not to mention a variety of delicious restaurants.
The Sacramento office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near SacRT Light Rail stations, Downtown Commons, and plenty of shopping.
OSPD permits full-time telework in accordance with government code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. Business travel reimbursements consider an employee’s designated Headquarters Location and primary residence. The policy may be subject to change by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
Due to the nature and duties of the position, IDID attorneys are sometimes required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional schedules. Some duties must be performed in person, such as certain stakeholder meetings, presentations, and live trainings. The position requires traveling to conferences, meetings, and training events up to 10% of the time and includes occasional overnight travel, up to a week. Travel is primarily by automobile but also includes occasional train, airplane, or public transportation.
Effective July 1, 2025, in response to the budget deficit, the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) has implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee working their assigned work schedule receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 30, 2027.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Defense expertise including experience litigating emerging and evolving areas of the law, such as California’s resentencing statutes, 2024’s Proposition 36, and California’s diversion statutes.
Ideal candidate would have experience litigating the RJA in trial or appellate courts and/or a strong interest in and demonstrated ability to become an RJA subject matter expert.
Experience designing/providing legal trainings and consultations to attorneys and/or community groups.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to adjust communication styles to address/target different audience.
Knowledge of California’s indigent defense system and criminal legal stakeholders.
Experience facilitating group conversations and working effectively within coalitions.
Ability to survey the field to assess immediate versus long term needs and develop strategic priorities accordingly.
Strong administrative and organizational skills to collect and maintain data, articles, and resources.
Strong legal research and writing skills.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Knowledge of Microsoft Suite including SharePoint and Teams.
Willingness to learn and adapt to new technology as needed.
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is required and must be included.
Other - Professional References - Provide three professional references.
Other - Statement of Qualifications - Please see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions.
Other - Writing Sample - Please see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Special Requirements
The position(s) require(s) a(n) Member of the CA State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
In addition to the application, applicants must submit the following:
A resume
At least three professional references
A Statement of Qualifications and
A Writing Sample
Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for detailed instructions.
Exam Information
You must take and pass the Attorney III or Attorney examination to establish list eligibility:
To take the exam, visit: Take the Attorney III Exam
To take the exam, visit: Take the Attorney Exam
To take the exam, visit: Take the LEAP Attorney Exam
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 10/13/2025
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is required and must be included.
Other - Professional References - Provide three professional references.
Other - Statement of Qualifications - Please see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions.
Other - Writing Sample - Please see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be single-spaced, written in narrative form, using 10 pt. or 12 pt. Times New Roman font, and no longer than 2 pages total for all four responses combined. A successful SOQ will address the following:
Tell us why you want to work at the Office of the State Public Defender Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID) and specifically as the IDID Resource Attorney.
Please describe your direct experience litigating Racial Justice Act claims and/or other emerging areas of California criminal law (e.g. resentencing statutes, application of Proposition 36, mental health diversion).
What resources and supports are most useful to defenders as they litigate evolving areas of the law such as the RJA? Please describe how you would address these needs as the IDID Resource Attorney, drawing on your background and experience.
Describe your experience staying abreast of developing caselaw, developing briefings/motions, and/or assisting other attorneys in litigating a novel or complicated area of the law.
Writing Sample
The separate legal writing sample must be no more than five pages in length (an excerpt of a larger motion or brief is acceptable), must be the exclusive work of the applicant, must be written within the last two years, and should provide an example of the applicant’s legal research and writing abilities.
Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ and Writing Sample will not be considered.
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