Executive Manager/ EEO Officer

*** Must directly apply at www.CalCareers.ca.gov JC-477391 ***

Job Description and Duties

The Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is seeking an Executive Manager who will provide agency level operations and administrative support to the State Public Defender (Agency Director) and the Executive Team. This is a terrific opportunity for someone who is interested in supporting and promoting an effective and welcoming workplace for a dedicated and mission driven staff.

Responsibilities will include being a strategic thought partner to the executive team, providing research and advice on agency matters and planning and implementing agency-wide policies and projects to support OSPD staff and its mission. In addition, the Executive Manager

will serve as the agency’s sole Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer, ensuring compliance with state law and regulations, and supervisor to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Unit.

While the DEIB Supervisor and EEO Officer duties are essential components of this position, the primary emphasis is executive-level coordination and management, strategic leadership, and program oversight. This high-impact position works with staff at various organizational levels and requires exceptional judgment, strong communication skills and experience managing complex and high-level projects on behalf of leadership teams. Because OSPD is a small agency, we seek people who are flexible and self-driven and are willing and able to jump in on a variety of tasks and projects. OSPD’s mission is to provide excellent appellate representation to those sentenced to the death penalty and to provide training and technical assistance to public defenders; the Executive Manager must be willing and able to support and promote OSPD’s mission.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Organize and plan essential agency communications through regular executive team and all-staff meetings. Coordinating speakers, agenda and purpose of meetings.
• Assist and advise executive leadership on organizational planning and policy development including policies related to law office management and workforce succession.
• Under general supervision, lead and manage cross-functional projects, for example staff development initiatives or budget planning and tracking.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Executive Office and staff.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local EEO laws and regulations;
• Develop and implement initiatives to foster an inclusive and respectful workplace.
• Prepare executive-level reports, presentations, and communications on project status, outcomes, and organization performance
• Supervise two AGPAs who serve as OSPD’s DEIB analysts.
• Support executive leadership with research and administrative support as needed, particularly regarding development of in-office criminal and death penalty defense policy and practices.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working in an executive office environment for a public, governmental or non-profit entity and ability to manage people, projects and sensitive issues with discretion, integrity and empathy.
• Ability to maintain a confidential relationship with the Director; gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted in the course of work; exercise discretion in discussing work with other departmental staff; exercise good judgment in contacts with Administration, Legislature, and others on sensitive issues; and to exercise sensitivity and judgment in referring matters to the Director.
• Knowledge of EEO principles, laws and practices and ability to contribute to a discrimination-free, inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences by applying DEIB and EEO principles including but not limited to complying with state and federal laws, regulations, bargaining unit contracts.
• Ability to work independently but still seek and incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders.
• Supervision competencies including ability to provide effective feedback and develop professionals.
• Experience resolving sensitive problems confidentially and with empathy.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Demonstrated communication skills with the ability to speak and write effectively; review and edit written reports; and analyzeinformation quickly and thoroughly.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Strong leadership, analytical and communication skills and ability to supervise a team through team building, performancemanagement, strategic thinking, and to adapt to changing priorities, navigate through ambiguity and ensure operational continuityand team morale.
• Experience working in a mission driven environment and comfort working and supporting colleagues representing clients sentenced to death.

*** Must directly apply at www.CalCareers.ca.gov JC-477391 ***

Exam Information

You must take and pass the Staff Services Manager I or II examinations to establish list eligibility:

To take the exam, visit: Staff Services Manager I https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2109

To take the exam, visit: Staff Services Manager I (LEAP) https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2068

To take the exam, visit: Staff Services Manager II (Managerial) https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2175

To take the exam, visit: Staff Services Manager II (Managerial) LEAP https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2069

Statement of Qualifications

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be single-spaced, written in narrative form, using 12 pt. and be no longer than 2 pages total for all three responses combined. A successful SOQ will address the following:

1. Why are you interested in this position at the Office of the State Public Defender? What do you hope to contribute in this role?
2. Describe a time when you led a project that required input from multiple stakeholders and a tight deadline. What was the project, how did you coordinate and communicate with the stakeholders, meet deadlines, and maintain other work responsibilities?
3. Being the EEO officer requires understanding regulations, engaging in fair and thorough investigations and a high level of discretion, empathy and good judgment. What in your professional background demonstrates you can be successful in such a role?

Applicants who fail to submit responses to these three SOQ questions will not be considered. A resume or cover letter that does not address these three questions cannot be substituted for the SOQ.