Employment and Contracting Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Forensic Civil Commitment Program - Administrative Assistant

OPD is recruiting for an Administrative Assistant to support Forensic Post-Commitment program.

As required by statute, OPD contracts with attorneys and social workers statewide to represent indigent respondents who have a right to counsel in civil commitment proceedings under Ch. 71.09 RCW. Pursuant to Substitute Senate Bill 5415, the 2023 state legislature directs State OPD to administer all state-funded services related to the representation of indigent persons acquitted by reason of insanity and committed to state psychiatric care at either Eastern or Western State Hospital. These individuals have a statutory right to counsel as soon as the court commits them. OPD must contract with attorneys across the State to provide representation, until legal termination of commitment and final unconditional release. These two initiatives fall under the Forensic Post-Commitment Program. For more information and to apply, click here.


Contract Opportunities

Forensic Civil Commitment Contract Social Workers- Statewide

The Forensic Civil Commitment Team provides state funded attorney representation to indigent clients with the right to counsel at State expense: after being found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 10.77 RCW, or against whom sexually violent predator petitions have been filed under Chapter 71.09 RCW. A contract social works at the direction of attorneys to provide advocacy, mitigation, referral services, limited crisis intervention, and release planning to assigned clients. OPD is requesting applications for social workers to support contracted attorneys and clients, statewide. Click the link below for more information, including how to apply.

 

Blake Defense Attorney Contract Positions

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Blake Defense Team has funds available to contract with attorneys to represent indigent persons who may be eligible for relief from unconstitutional convictions per State v. Blake.  OPD is requesting applications for attorney representation in Clark, Cowlitz, Grant, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties.

 

Parents Representation Attorney Contract Positions

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) provides state-funded attorney representation and case support services to indigent parents, custodians and legal guardians involved in child dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings. Click the links below to learn more about open contracting opportunities for qualified attorneys. 

 

For additional job and contract opportunities in public defense, visit Washington Defender Association.