Salary: $102,000.00 – $107,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-OCLA CRPC
Department: Office of Civil Legal Aid
Opening Date: 06/05/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Close: Open Until Filled; first review of applications received will occur on or before August 1, 2023. OCLA reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
Job Type: Regular Full-time; FLSA Exempt.
Salary: $102,000 — $107,000 Full-Time Annually DOQ
Location: Flexible — Determined on the Location and Needs of the Best Candidate
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 , 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 As outlined in its own , 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 is looking for an exceptional individual with a passion for equity and justice for children and youth involved in the child welfare system. The CRP Program Counsel will help maintain OCLA’s existing program for appointed counsel to represent children and youth who remain dependent six months following termination of their parental rights (legally free children and youth), codified at RCW 13.34.212(1), and support the design and implementation of a new statewide program for appointed counsel for dependent children and youth ages 8-17 in dependencies and dependent children and youth ages 0-7 where a petition to terminate parental rights has been filed. This program is codified at RCW 13.34.212(3).
The CRP Program Counsel will work with the CRP Program Manager and the CRP team to develop and implement effective strategies for attorney recruitment, training, support, oversight, and accountability.
Duties
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 biennial attorney reviews; court observations; document review; ensuring compliance with mandatory training requirements; 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 to reduce the adverse experience and improve outcomes for children and youth in care, especially those at risk of disproportionately negative harm.
- Regularly participate in continuing legal education opportunities and other trainings related child welfare law.
- Embrace and actively participate in OCLA’s internal equity and anti-racism-related efforts.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Background and Qualifications
- Juris Doctor and in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association (required)
- 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 (required)
- 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 (required)
- 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 (required)
- Demonstrated commitment to equity and justice for those disproportionately harmed by the law and justice system, especially the child welfare system (required)
- Lived experience as or working with children or youth involved in the child welfare system (preferred)
- Experience with oversight, data tracking, and reporting (preferred)
- Excellent written, oral, and communication skills (required)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (required)
- Ability to quickly learn and master new software applications (required)
Supplemental Information
Reporting
The Children’s Representation Program Counsel will report to the CRP Program Manager.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $102,000 – $107,000 Full-Time Annually DOQ
Benefits: Paid contributions to medical/dental, life insurance, and long
term disability insurance programs
Leave: Paid vacation and sick leave benefits
Retirement: Paid contributions to state retirement benefits
Click here for more benefit information
Application Procedure
Applications should be filed electronically with and should include the subject heading Statement of Interest Children’s Representation Program Counsel.
Submissions must include:
- A cover letter and resume outlining the applicant’s credentials and professional/lived experience that is responsive to the skills and background outlined in this Notice
- A list of at least three (3) peer professional references, one of whom is a judicial officer
- A self-edited legal writing sample, preferably one that relates to the child welfare system
- Application for State Jobs ()
CLOSING DATE: The announcement will remain open, and applications will be taken until the position is filled. OCLA reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.
Additional Information
The Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is committed to equity and inclusion in hiring and employment practices and full compliance with federal and state equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination laws. OCLA strongly encourages members of diverse and historically disfavored demographic communities to apply.
OCLA will not discriminate against any person based on race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship, or immigration status; families with children; gender (including gender identify or gender expression); marital status; sexual orientation; age; veteran or military status; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (actual or perceived); or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact OCLA’s support team at support@ocla.wa.gov.
OCLA believes in providing substantial professional flexibility consistent with necessary accountability considerations. We also support Washington State’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts. We, therefore, take a generous approach to telecommunication and remote work activity.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022