Closing Date: 21st September, 2025
Description:
Job Description:Are you passionate about promoting fairness, accountability, and excellence in public defense? The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) invites you to apply for our Deputy General Counsel positions. These are dynamic roles that play a critical part in shaping and supporting the quality of legal representation for individuals across our state. We're looking for thoughtful, collaborative professionals committed to justice, equity, and continuous improvement. If you're ready to contribute to a team that values integrity, innovation, and inclusion, apply with OPDC today!
Positions: Deputy General Counsel (2 vacancies)
Location: Salem, Oregon | Hybrid
Compensation Range: $11,498 - $16,986
Duties:
Quality Assurance: Involves evaluating and responding to certification requests for attorney qualifications in public defense, as well as reviewing complaints and concerns related to provider performance. The role includes collaboration with Trial Support & Development and the CAP Division to establish performance standards, develop data collection tools, and assess regional needs. Monitoring activities include site visits, courtroom observations, stakeholder interviews, and ongoing communication with defenders and system partners to ensure and improve the quality of public defense services.
Training and Resource Development: Involves creating and delivering practical resources like checklists, guides, and sample filings to support public defense providers. This role also includes offering case consultations and planning trainings for OPDC-contracted criminal defense attorneys across various case types.
Program Management: Provide guidance to the program analysts for assigned jurisdictions on contract terms, the right to appointed counsel, and counsel assignment processes. Additionally, provide support on preauthorized expenses and assist in reviewing exceptional funding requests as necessary.
Policy & Procedure Development: Collaborate with the CAP Division's Policy Team to identify needs and develop written policies and procedures, offering expertise in public defense and criminal defense practices.
Systems Improvement: Participate in relevant workgroups and task forces, while staying informed on policy legislative, and legal developments affecting criminal defense practice.
Ongoing: Engage collaboratively with coworkers, supervisors, and work-related partners to support team efforts and contribute to problem-solving. Build strong relationships with internal and external customers through active participation in cross-divisional projects while promoting workplace safety and promptly reporting concerns. Foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment that values diversity, discourages discrimination and harassment, and respects different opinions and cultural backgrounds.
This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancies and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
What's in it for you:
Advancement in your profession and a competitive salary and benefits package.
- OPDC supports work/life balance and overall wellness and offers a generous benefits package including employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).
- The posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. The top candidate will be screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluates various factors. Please see the Pay Equity website for more information.
- As a state employee, you may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, helping you achieve financial freedom while making a difference.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited college of law, AND member of the Oregon State Bar.
- Five (5) years full-time experience in the practice of law AT LEAST three (3) of which must be in the practice of criminal, juvenile defense, or related field.
The Top Seven Desired Attributes for this Role
Legal & Contractual Acumen:
Familiarity with core legal concepts and the ability to engage in informed discussion about laws, rules, and contractual obligations relevant to agency operations.
Leadership & Management:
Foundational competencies in leading people and projects, including guiding teams, making informed decisions, and developing others – especially in specialized domains like contracts or compliance.
Writing & Communication:
Proficiency in writing clear, concise reports, policies, and summaries – especially the ability to convey complex or technical information in plain language tailored to the intended audience.
Collaboration & Relationship Building:
Ability to trust and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders across diverse teams.
Analytical & Evaluation Skills:
Demonstrated ability in evaluating attorney qualifications, assessing provider performance through various data sources, complaints, and observations, and identifying trends. Strong critical thinking and the ability to interpret both qualitative and quantitative data.
Cultural Competence & Respect for Differences:
Ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Policy & Systems Thinking: Ability to analyze legal policy, contribute to procedural frameworks, and align day-to-day work with broader system goals.
Application Guidance
- Current State of Oregon Employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.
- External applicants: View this application instructional video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrcLxShEoao). A PDF is also available by clicking here. (https://www.oregon.gov/das/HR/Documents/Recruiting_ExternalCandidateApplication.pdf)
Application Requirements
- Required Resume: Attach your most up-to-date Resume. Please ensure your Workday profile aligns with your submission.
- Required Cover Letter: As part of the application process, we are requesting that you submit a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how you meet the desired attributes for these positions.