Attorney

If you are looking to join a collaborative team of attorney's who are passionate about providing high quality post-conviction appellate representation in death penalty cases and improving indigent defense in California, consider taking on a new role as Attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD)!

As Attorney, you will perform a wide variety of difficult legal work and provide excellent quality and effective assistance of counsel to indigent persons who are appealing their criminal convictions in the California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. You will draft pleadings, conduct legal research and develop and foster attorney-client relationships through visits to state prisons. Our work is often at the cutting edge of criminal law.

This is a terrific opportunity for a developing attorney interested in a career in post-conviction criminal defense!

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: 2/14/2025

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: Human Resources - 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

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see "Statement of Qualifications" section for instructions.
• Other - A writing sample. Please see "Special Requirements" 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.

Attorney Exam

You will need to take and pass the Attorney examination to establish list eligibility.

To take the exam, visit: Take the Attorney Exam

For LEAP: Take the LEAP Attorney Exam

Statement of Qualifications Instructions

Please provide detailed responses to the questions below. This can be in the form of a cover letter. Your response must be single-spaced, written in narrative form, and no longer than 2 pages. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.

• Why do you want to pursue a career in indigent defense?
• Tell us why you want to work at OSPD as an appellate attorney.
• Describe a challenging issue you briefed on appeal. Please describe why the issue was challenging and describe your process in addressing those challenges.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) California State Bar License License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
• Writing Sample The writing sample should demonstrate the most legally complex brief or pleading the applicant has filed. 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. 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).

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. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-462741

Position #(s): 426-015-5778-XXX

Working Title: Attorney

Classification:

ATTORNEY

$7,737.00 - $11,676.00

Individuals appointed to the Attorney classification are eligible to receive the designated Hiring Above Minimum (HAM) rate. The Attorney classification HAM rate is at $8,588.00 for Range A and $9,666.00 for Range B.

# of Positions: 2

Work Location: United States

Telework: Telework

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The OSPD is legislatively mandated to focus its resources on post-conviction appellate representation in death penalty cases and improving indigent defense in California by providing assistance and training to local public defender systems.

Diversity Statement

OSPD is committed to promoting a workplace rooted in the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. We can best serve our clients and stakeholders when we have a diverse staff that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived experiences, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our colleagues.

An inclusive culture improves the quality of our work lives and makes us better advocates for our clients and better colleagues to each other. We are continually growing and are committed to equitable, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory hiring practices.

OSPD encourages applications from all qualified individuals of any race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and veteran status. OSPD is recognized by the State Bar of California as a gold tier recipient of the DEI Leadership Seal Program for its ongoing commitment to advancing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion for all staff through evidence-based actions.

OSPD is recognized by the State Bar of California as a gold tier recipient of the DEI Leadership Seal Program for its on-going commitment to advancing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion for all staff through evidence-based actions.

Department Website: http://www.ospd.ca.gov/

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:

• Knowledge of legal research methods and performing research.
• Knowledge of legal principles and their application.
• Knowledge of scope and character of California statutory law and of the provisions of the California Constitution principles of administrative and constitutional law.
• Knowledge of trial and hearing procedure.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence; court procedures.
• Knowledge of administrative law and the conduct of proceedings before administrative bodies.
• Knowledge of legal terms and forms in common use.
• Knowledge of statutory and case law literature and authorities.
• Knowledge of provisions of laws and Government Code sections administered or enforced.
• Experience working as an attorney on California state criminal law appeals.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Ability to research, analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to prepare and present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Ability to prepare correspondence involving the explanation of legal matters.
• Ability to draft opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation.
• Ability to negotiate effectively and conduct crucial litigation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

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.