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Blake Community Outreach Specialist
$190k-253k (estimate)
Other | Heavy Civil Construction 0 Months Ago
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STATE OF WASHINGTON is Hiring a Blake Community Outreach Specialist Near Thurston, WA

Full-time position to lead outreach to impacted communities about the State v. Blake decision. This is a project position and is dependent on continued project funding. Funding is currently available through June 2023. OPD anticipates knowing about the availability of funding through June 2025 by the end of April. Full state benefits are included with this position. 
We Want You to Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)
We are an independent state 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.
 
The Trial Level Program 
Our Trial Level Program is comprised of three teams. We carry out a variety of projects to assist local governments in fulfilling their public defense responsibilities, and to support public defense and assigned counsel attorneys in delivering client-centered advocacy. The Blake Team contracts with counties and individual attorneys to ensure that people have access to counsel to seek resentencing orders and vacate convictions consistent with the State v. Blake decision, works to improve the management and flow of Blake hearings statewide, and collaborates with state and local organizations for implementation of Blake defense work. The Youth Access to Counsel Team contracts with attorneys to provide on-demand, 24/7 legal consultation for youth making decisions on their constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement. The Public Defense Improvement Team distributes grant funds to counties and cities, administers continuing legal education programs, and provides technical assistance to city and county governments. Each Trial Level team includes a mixture of attorneys and support staff. In addition to fulfilling contract and grant functions, members work with stakeholders on policy, training, and resource development within their respective subject matter areas. 

Background on Blake Defense
In State v. Blake, 197 Wn.2d 170 (2021) the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that Washington’s simple drug possession law was unconstitutional and void. Consequently, thousands of simple drug possession convictions needed to be vacated, including convictions of currently incarcerated people. Public defenders across the state are working to deliver Blake relief to individuals under DOC control, and public defenders, along with civil legal aid attorneys, are working to vacate convictions for individuals who have already served their sentences. The Role of the Community Outreach Specialist
As Community Outreach Specialist, you will collaborate with your Blake Team members to strategize, plan, and deliver outreach to impacted communities about the State v. Blake decision, as well as the types of relief that may be available under the decision to impacted communities, and information about the organizations and individuals delivering relief under State v. Blake. Specific responsibilities of the Community Outreach Specialist may include:
 
  • Developing and executing strategy for effectively communicating about State v. Blake with potentially Blake-eligible incarcerated persons.
  • Lead the development of a wide variety of messaging, video and other outreach materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and that can be distributed through trusted channels to targeted individuals.
  • Identifying resources available and unavailable in Washington correctional institutions and educating members of your team and/or local defense offices about the extent of access to those resources for Blake-eligible incarcerated persons.
  • Developing and executing strategy for effectively communicating about State v. Blake with people impacted by the decision who are not incarcerated.
  • Consulting with local defense offices on effective communication strategies with Blake-impacted communities. 
  • Identifying organizations and community groups that may have relationships or contacts with impacted people, and relationship-building with these organizations and community groups.
  • Planning and conducting townhalls, informational sessions, or other events to share information and resources about State v. Blake.
  • Collaborating with counterparts at other organizations about outreach strategies and efforts.
 General Responsibilities
  • Develop written messaging to community audiences on information relating to the Blake decision and ways impacted people can access relief. 
  • Provide outreach and education to diverse audiences through presentations, trainings, one-on-one meetings and networking, events, media outreach and other outreach strategies.
  • Help manage incoming calls to OPD’s “Blake Line” – a phone number dedicated to public inquiries. 
  • Collaborate with OPD staff, public defense providers around the state, and other system partners to develop and deliver communication strategies to effectively reach Blake impacted communities and individuals. 
  • Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations.
  • Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, 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.
Periodic travel is required in Washington State, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.Minimum Qualifications
  • Lived experience with the criminal legal system. 
  • Strong commitment to serving people who have been accused of serious crimes and people impacted by poverty or mass incarceration.
  • Ability or experience with public speaking.
  • Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
  • Openness to listening, learning and interacting with people with different interests and attitudes in a positive and constructive manner.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and openness to new ideas.
  • Ability to travel occasionally around the state to carry out duties.
  • Ability to work well on a team, prioritize responsibilities, and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
  • Superior organizational skills plus the ability to initiate and handle multiple projects and deadlines and the ability to work with multiple internal customers and team members from varied levels and functional backgrounds. 
  • Ability to multitask, and to work both independently and collaboratively with a team. 
  • Self-motivated, enthusiastic and community-driven to take on this exciting role. This position requires someone equipped with a positive attitude and readiness to be a team player.
Desired Qualifications
  • Understanding of the direct and collateral consequences individuals experience through criminal courts.
  • Competency with Microsoft Office and online meeting formats such as Zoom and Teams. 
  • Knowledge of Washington state courts and criminal procedure.
  • Understanding of the needs, concerns and issues facing adults in the criminal legal system. 
  • Understanding of the communication methods and limitations for people incarcerated at the Department of Corrections. 
Compensation depending on qualifications. Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefits 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. This is a project-based position, and funding for the Blake Team members is currently available through June 30 2023. However, OPD has requested continued funding from the state Legislature through June 30 2025, and will likely know whether this extended funding will be available by late April, 2023 before the selected candidate begins the work.

Application Process
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for this position.
  • Provide three professional references with contact information - you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application or include with resume. Applicants will be notified before references are contacted.
  • Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile. 
  • Attach a self-edited writing sample describing a specific project or program that you have managed or been involved with as a principal.
  • Attach a current résumé.
For questions about the position or application process, please contact Supervising Attorney Katrin Johnson (katrin.johnson@opd.wa.gov) or Program Assistant Ella Sharrett (ella.sharrett@opd.wa.gov). 
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. Our preference is for this individual to work on-site. Teleworking may be an option, and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and the availability of adequate equipment.

Job Summary

JOB TYPE

Other

INDUSTRY

Heavy Civil Construction

SALARY

$190k-253k (estimate)

POST DATE

03/23/2023

EXPIRATION DATE

04/14/2023

HEADQUARTERS

CHEHALIS, WA

SIZE

>50,000

FOUNDED

2014

CEO

COLIN NEWELL

REVENUE

>$50B

INDUSTRY

Heavy Civil Construction

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