Government
Attorney III, Racial Justice Act Specialist Attorney
Details
Description
Job Description and Duties
The Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID) of the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is seeking an experienced, driven, and creative attorney committed to improving indigent defense in California by specifically supporting defenders litigating the California Racial Justice Act (RJA) and related statutes.
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 RJA Specialist Attorney serves as a statewide expert on the RJA, developing trainings, tools, and support for defenders litigating systemic racism across California trial courts. In addition to training and direct support to defenders, the attorney provides strategic technical assistance to policy makers and other stakeholders, and engages in RJA coalition work. As an RJA Specialist, the attorney will draft amicus briefs, memos on developments in RJA caselaw, and assist OSPD’s internal appellate counsel with briefing and materials, as needed, to advance the RJA. The attorney will also develop expertise and take on projects related to other statutes and ameliorative law changes that impact racial justice work within the criminal legal system. The attorney works both independently and collaboratively to increase the capacity of defenders across California to successfully litigate the RJA and related statutes.
Please take the short recruitment survey linked below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M7N6925
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
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.
Job Description and Duties
The Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID) of the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is seeking an experienced, driven, and creative attorney committed to improving indigent defense in California by specifically supporting defenders litigating the California Racial Justice Act (RJA) and related statutes.
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 RJA Specialist Attorney serves as a statewide expert on the RJA, developing trainings, tools, and support for defenders litigating systemic racism across California trial courts. In addition to training and direct support to defenders, the attorney provides strategic technical assistance to policy makers and other stakeholders, and engages in RJA coalition work…
Benefits
Benefits
The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Vision, Dental, and Retirement benefits. For more information on what is offered by the State of California, please visit:
- The California Department of Human Resources CalHR website.
- The California Public Employees' Retirement System CalPERS website.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Benefits
The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Vision, Dental, and Retirement benefits. For more information on what is offered by the State of California, please visit:
- The California Department of Human Resources CalHR website.
- The California Public Employees' Retirement System CalPERS website.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state…
Level of Language Proficiency
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:
- Experience litigating the RJA. Ideal candidate would have experience litigating the RJA in California trial courts.
- 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.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide…
Location
Associated Location
Suite 1000
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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.
Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications and a Writing Sample, see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions, in addition to a resume, and at least three professional references.
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: 4/17/2025
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. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Office of the State Public Defender
Human Resources
Attn: LD Gutierrez
770 L Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Office of the State Public Defender
Human Resources
LD Gutierrez
770 L Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
- 08:00 AM
05:00 PM
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 and 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.
Exam Information
You must take and pass the Attorney III examination to establish list eligibility.
To take the exam, visit: Take the Attorney III Exam
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 OSPD's IDID and specifically as IDID’s RJA Specialist Attorney.
- Please describe your direct experience litigating RJA claims.
- What resources and supports are most relevant to defenders engaged in RJA litigation across the state? Please describe how you would address these needs as IDID’s RJA Specialist Attorney, drawing on your background and experience.
- Describe your experience providing technical assistance, developing resources, and/or assisting other attorneys in litigating a novel or complicated area of the law.
Writing Sample
The writing sample should demonstrate the most legally complex brief or pleading the applicant has filed. The sample must be no more than five pages in length (an excerpt of a larger motion or brief is acceptable). The applicant must be the principal author of any writing sample submitted. Other legal writing samples (i.e., academic or expository) will also be accepted as long as they provide an example of the applicant’s legal research and writing abilities. Writing samples will be evaluated on the complexity of the legal issues, the adequacy and clarity of the factual recitation, the extent and soundness of the legal analysis, the persuasiveness of the argument, and the overall writing quality (including organization, structure, clarity, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and use of citations).
Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ and Writing Sample will not be considered.
