Program Assistant, Olympia

Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!
We Want You to Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!
About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)
We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.
Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence
We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation.
To learn about OPD's programs, please visit our website.
The Washington State Office of Public Defense Parents Representation Program (PRP) is seeking a full-time Program Assistant to work as part of a motivated and diverse team of managing attorneys, a training coordinator, social service managers, a parent voice advocacy manager, and a small admin team.
Join us in promoting anti-racist practices, quality oversight, and continual improvement of the Parents Representation Program.
For more information about our program, please visit our webpage.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force.
Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 year of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, people with prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply.
Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.
Program Description
The Parents Representation Program oversees and supports a multidisciplinary defense team of contract attorneys and contract social service professionals who represent indigent parents involved in child dependency and parental rights termination proceedings in Washington State family and juvenile courts.
Managing Attorneys and Social Service Managers are responsible for overseeing the contractors working in their assigned counties.
The Parents Rep Program utilizes standards and protocols that historically have resulted in significant improvements in child permanency and family reunification.
Parents Representation Program Purpose Statement
Ensuring a fair and equitable child welfare system by leading, administering, and supporting the effective and efficient delivery of multidisciplinary right-to-counsel services for indigent parents facing state intervention in the parent-child relationship.
This recruitment is open until the position is filled.
First review of applications will begin on May 27, ****.