Description:

Agency Overview
The Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is an independent agency in the judicial branch of state government. Recognizing that “the provision of civil legal aid services to indigent persons is an important component of the state's responsibility to provide for the proper and effective administration of civil and criminal justice,” the Washington State Legislature established OCLA in 2005 to manage the then-small state investment in civil legal aid services to low-income people in Washington State. In the years since, the Legislature has greatly expanded the scope of OCLA's responsibilities.

Consistent with The Washington State Supreme Court's June 4, 2020 Statement to the Legal Community, OCLA acknowledges that it and its contracted civil legal aid providers operate in a law and justice system historically grounded in racism and that time and again has administered justice differentially depending on the racial identities of those involved. OCLA was an initial subscriber to the Washington Race Equity and Justice Acknowledgments and Commitments. As outlined in its own Race Equity and Justice Statement of Purpose, (Download PDF reader) OCLA is committed to being an active partner in carrying out the Washington State judicial branch's commitment to ensuring equity and justice for people and communities throughout our state.
OCLA's Children's Representation Program (CRP) underwrites and oversees the delivery of effective, standards-based, and equity-informed representation for children and youth for whom attorneys are appointed under state law. The CRP is committed to fostering fundamental change in Washington State's child welfare and juvenile court practices, which have historically and continue to cause disproportionate harm to BIPOC children and youth, as well as children and youth who have a range of learning and related disabilities; who suffer multiple and compounding traumas; who identify and/or present as gender or sex non-conforming; and who lack a legal voice in the process.

Position Vacancy
OCLA's CRP team is currently comprised of a Program Manager; two Program Counsel; a Training Coordinator; and two dedicated Administrative Support members. The CRP is looking for an equity-minded, collaborative, and self-directed individual with a passion and commitment to justice for children and youth involved in the child welfare system to join our team as its newest Program Counsel.

Program Counsel serve many important functions in the CRP. Primarily, Program Counsel work with the Program Manager and the CRP team to develop and implement effective strategies for contracted attorney technical support, oversight, and accountability. Program Counsel also help support the design and implementation of our growing statewide program for children and youth appointed counsel pursuant to RCW 13.34.212(3), as well as serve on various committees and workgroups concerned with improving the child welfare system.

OCLA values a healthy work-life balance. All CRP team members enjoy the benefits of working remotely; however, travel for in-person, work-related activities at regular intervals is required. OCLA covers the cost of work-related travel.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with the CRP Program Manager and CRP team to develop and implement strategies to recruit, train, support, and retain a diverse community of CRP contract attorneys.
Work with the CRP Program Manager and CRP team to monitor the performance of contract attorneys and their adherence to statewide standards for children's representation. Contract attorney monitoring functions include attorney performance reviews; court observations; document review; ensuring compliance with mandatory training requirements; and conducting monthly reviews of contract attorney case management time and activity entries. Some travel within Washington State will be required to fulfill these oversight duties.
Provide technical support to contract attorneys.
Support and facilitate the development of regional communities of practice.
Work with the CRP Program Manager and CRP team to monitor, update, and maintain OCLA's CRP web pages.
Identify and monitor trends within child welfare practice and needs of practitioners and their clients to support the CRP's child welfare and juvenile court system improvement efforts consistent with OCLA's focus on reducing disparate adverse outcomes for BIPOC children and youth and those who identify as LGBTQ2S, are immigrants, or who are negatively impacted by social, cultural, racial, ability-based practices and biases.
Work with child welfare and justice system partners on workgroups and special committees to reduce the adverse experiences of and improve outcomes for children and youth in care.
Regularly participate, as an attendee or presenter, in continuing legal education opportunities and other trainings related child welfare law, which may occur both in- and out-of-state.
Embrace and actively participate in OCLA's internal equity and anti-racism-related efforts.
Other duties as assigned.

Background and Qualifications:
Required:

Juris Doctor and in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association
At least three (3) years of experience providing standards-based legal representation to children and youth in dependencies and termination of parental rights proceedings or other substantially relevant experience
Substantial knowledge and understanding of courts, the court system, child welfare law, and standards-based legal representation of children and youth in child welfare cases
Demonstrated understanding of the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of communities disproportionately composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color; individuals who identify as LGBTQ2S or other sexual minorities; individuals with disabilities; immigrants; limited English-speaking persons; and others who are disproportionately overrepresented in child welfare and in the law and justice systems
Demonstrated commitment to equity and justice for those disproportionately harmed by the law and justice system, especially the child welfare system
Excellent written, oral, and communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Willingness to learn and master new software applications
Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a remote team of individuals
Ability to track and execute multiple co-existing projects and tasks an in independent, self-directed manner
Ability and willingness to periodically travel both in-state and out-of-state for work-related events

Preferred:

Lived experience as a youth involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems
Experience with oversight, data tracking, and reporting
Close access to counties located in Western Washington