Training Attorney

Job Description and Duties

The Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID) of the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) invites applications for a full-time attorney in our Training Unit.

By legislative mandate, OSPD’s IDID provides training to county based indigent defense systems. The attorneys who join the training team are given broad responsibilities and opportunities to develop programs that meet the training needs of public defenders and appointed defenders in California. We are deeply committed to supporting clients through training of skilled defenders.

Under the general supervision of the Training Director, the training attorneys work both independently and collaboratively to plan, develop and implement training programs for indigent defense counsel and defense teams, including social workers and investigators. These trainings include a broad range of subject matter, from skills-based training to highly specialized areas of the law. In addition, the training attorneys work with a cohort of trainers in California to increase the capacity of local offices to do their own training, and to identify local and national experts with whom to partner. The training unit works to meet the training needs of specific regions, general and specialized subject area practitioners, and evolving needs that are responsive to significant changes in law.

Working Conditions

OSPD has two regional offices located in Oakland and Sacramento.

• The Oakland office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near the 12th Street BART station, not to mention a variety of delicious restaurants.
• The Sacramento office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near SacRT Light Rail stations, Downtown Commons, and plenty of shopping.

OSPD permits full-time telework in accordance with government code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. Business travel reimbursements consider an employee’s designated Headquarters Location and primary residence. The policy may be subject to change by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Due to the nature and duties of the position, IDID attorneys are sometimes required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional schedules. Some duties must be performed in person, such as certain stakeholder meetings, presentations, and live trainings. The position requires traveling to conferences, meetings, and training events up to 10% of the time and includes occasional overnight travel, up to a week. Travel is primarily by automobile but also includes occasional train, airplane, or public transportation.

Effective July 1, 2025, in response to the budget deficit, the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) has implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee working their assigned work schedule receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 30, 2027.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Active membership in The California State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

In addition to the application, applicants must submit the following:

1. A resume
2. At least three professional references
3. A Statement of Qualifications and
4. A Writing Sample

Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for detailed instructions.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 10/13/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Professional References - Provide three professional references.
• Other - Statement of Qualifications - Please see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions.
• Other - Writing Sample - Please see "Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample" section for instructions.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge of adult learning and training best practices.
• Knowledge of California’s criminal defense practices.
• Knowledge of established and emerging practices of indigent defense advocacy, and effective methods of teaching these skills.
• Knowledge of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation.
• Aptitude and willingness to guide, mentor and coach defense teams through training programs.
• Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Use of Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, Vimeo, Camtasia, and other online learning systems to build relationships and provide high quality training.
• Ability to determine ongoing training needs and assist in planning, organization, and presentation of training.
• Ability to develop training modules for appointed criminal defense counsel.
• Ability to manage a workload consisting of multiple projects and assignments while meeting deadlines and being very detail-oriented.
• Ability to communicate, problem solve and manage time effectively.
• Ability to adapt to changes in priorities and assignments.
• Ability to meet scheduled and last-minute deadlines.

Exam Information

You must take and pass the Attorney or Attorney III examination to establish list eligibility:

• To take the exam, visit: Take the Attorney Exam
• To take the exam, visit: Take the LEAP Attorney Exam
• To take the exam, visit: Take the Attorney III Exam

Statement of Qualifications and Writing Sample

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

1. Tell us why you want to work at the OSPD's IDID and specifically as an IDID Training Attorney.
2. Please describe your direct experience representing indigent people accused of crime, touching on how you have accessed training to support your advocacy.
3. Describe an experience working collaboratively in a team environment.
4. Describe your experience designing or providing training within indigent defense systems.

and

Writing Sample

The writing sample must be the original work of the applicant and must be no longer than one page using 12 pt. Times New Roman font.

Please identify one current critical training need topic for CA defenders and how you would organize a remote training addressing the issue. In one page or less, outline the agenda for the proposed training. Include the following sections: learning objectives, audience, agenda, content of sessions, format of sessions (lecture, breakout), ways to create engagement with different learning styles.

Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ and Writing Sample will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Benefits

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Vision, Dental, and Retirement benefits. For more information on what is offered by the State of California, please visit:

• The California Department of Human Resources CalHR website.
• The California Public Employees' Retirement System CalPERS website.