Description

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)

We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.

Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence

We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD’s programs click here. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.

Position Description

OPD is recruiting for an Administrative Assistant to support Forensic Post-Commitment program.

As required by statute, OPD contracts with attorneys and social workers statewide to represent indigent respondents who have a right to counsel in civil commitment proceedings under Ch. 71.09 RCW. Pursuant to Substitute Senate Bill 5415, the 2023 state legislature directs State OPD to administer all state-funded services related to the representation of indigent persons acquitted by reason of insanity and committed to state psychiatric care at either Eastern or Western State Hospital. These individuals have a statutory right to counsel as soon as the court commits them. OPD must contract with attorneys across the State to provide representation, until legal termination of commitment and final unconditional release. These two initiatives fall under the Forensic Post-Commitment Program.

The successful applicant is accountable for meeting priorities across multiple assignments, achieving deadlines, writing well and proofreading meticulously. The Administrative Assistant engages comfortably with people and technology. The daily work site is in downtown Olympia, with convenient access to parking and transit.

Periodic travel is required in Washington State, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.

Duties

General Responsibilities

• Prepare professional-quality business/legal correspondence on a deadline.
• Respond to inquiries from contract attorneys, courts and other members of the public defense community.
• Effectively use Excel to organize and cross-reference information from multiple databases.
• Sort, file, and tabulate various documents and records.
• Coordinate program managers’ schedules as needed, including assisting with travel arrangements.
• Coordinate and organize program operations as assigned and serve as primary contact on program training activity events regarding logistics and planning.
• Serve as a liaison between supervisor and other staff members, relaying assignments and requesting status information.
• Conduct and/or respond to surveys and studies; compose narrative portions of documents such as training slides and other content related to program functions.
• Perform administrative duties that require independent judgment, accountability, confidentiality, organizational and prioritization skills, and outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Coordinate with other agency staff members on administrative practices and procedures.
• Edit and update the program website.
• Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations.
• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, with statewide stakeholder groups, and in demographically diverse local court systems.
• Diligently follow attorney and state employee ethics requirements.
• Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with a diverse community of public defense and fiscal professionalsand others.
• Exceptional administrative support skills.
• Outstanding customer service and people skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in person, by email, and by telephone.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, handle short deadlines, and work independently.
• Ability to grasp the big picture as well as accurately follow through on details.
• Well-developed skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and navigating databases.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Have the ability to prioritize tasks, and to function independently as well as part of a team in a collaborative environment.
• Attention to detail and effective communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience coordinating and organizing event logistics and assisting with the preparation of training materials.
• Experience supporting practicing attorneys in public defense in Washington State.
• Experience managing a data set and utilizing it to prioritize workflow.
• Experience working as an administrative assistant/legal assistant in a fast-paced practice.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrate understanding of advocating against the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of communities disproportionately composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English speaking persons, and others who have been historically disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare and related law and justice systems.

If you have questions about the position, please contact Lindsey Townsend, Paralegal at lindsey.townsend@opd.wa.gov

Supplemental Information

Compensation
$53,964 to $69,072, annually.
Compensation depending on qualifications. Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes: paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and health, dental and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation and pre-tax flexible spending accounts.

Application Process
To be considered, interested candidates must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application. In addition to the online application:

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile.
• Attach a current résumé.
• Provide three professional references with contact information. You may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application or include on the résumé.

If you have problems navigating the online application process or uploading the required documents, email tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov for assistance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 year of age, LGBTQIA , persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated, prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

Teleworking
Our offices are in Olympia, Washington. We have teleworking options available by policy, and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and the availability of adequate equipment. It is expected that the person filling this role will primarily work in our Olympia office full time during the first six months. Thereafter, remote working may be available up to two days per week.