Deputy General Counsel (2 vacancies)

Initial Posting Date:

09/11/2025

Application Deadline:

09/21/2025

Agency:

Oregon Public Defense Commission

Salary Range:

$11,498 - $16,986

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Deputy General Counsel (2 vacancies)

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  

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Collaboration & Relationship Building: 

Ability to trust and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders across diverse teams.

5. 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.

6. Cultural Competence & Respect for Differences:

Ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

7. 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. A PDF is also available by clicking here.    

  

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.

**APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**    

Who we are.  

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is an agency governed by a 13-member commission appointed by the Governor, which serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.   

    

OPDC’s mission is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for persons eligible for a public defender.  Its office includes the Executive, Appellate, Trial, Trial Development & Resources, and Administrative Services Divisions.   

  

OPDC negotiates contracts with trial level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The Agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education. Financial Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases, juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases, and parole cases. Other services in the Agency include, Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.     

   

Recruitment Timeline   

*These dates are approximate and may change. *    

Recruitment Closes: Sunday, 09/21/2025 @ 11:59P

Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going    

Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes: On-going    

Interviews: Ongoing, beginning the week of: 09/22/2025 (Candidates will be notified and contacted for scheduling.)   

   

Additional Details

• This announcement is for 2, full-time, permanent Deputy General Counsel positions. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance, or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

• If you have questions about the announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, contact Kelli Anne Rodrigues, Kelli.A.Rodrigues@opdc.state.or.us, (971)453-1736.

• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting. For more information, please go to the State website: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx    

    

OPDC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce. Assistance will be provided in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.  Please call (503) 991-2274 as early as possible regarding any assistance you may require.