Employment and Contracting Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Contracts Manager

The Washington State Office of Public Defense seeks an experienced contracts manager to manage and oversee the contracting process for hundreds of contracts OPD enters into with a variety of multidiscipinary public defense professionals across the state of Washington. Click here for more information and to apply. [careers.wa.gov]

Disporportionality Unit Staff Attorney

The Washington State Office of Public Defense seeks an experienced attorney to develop legal trainings, strategies, and policies for challenging racial and economic disproportionality. The attorney should understand how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals and families that become involved in the legal system.

The successful candidate will collaborate with OPD leadership, attorneys, staff, and external partners to promote social justice and system reforms. The position will report to the Disproportionality Unit Supervising Attorney. Click here for more information and to apply. [careers.wa.gov]


Contract Opportunities

Blake Defense Program Seeking Contract Attorneys - Columbia and Walla Walla Counties

The Washington State Office of Public Defense will enter into a contract or contracts with solo practice attorneys and/or multi-attorney organizations who will provide legal services to individuals who may be eligible for Blake relief in county courts. View application procedures. [careers.wa.gov]

Parents Representation Program Seeking Contract Attorneys - Mason and Cowlitz Counties

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) provides state funded attorney representation and case support to indigent parents, custodians and legal guardians involved in child dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings. The following counties are seeking contracts:

Mason County: Up to 30% part-time contract.

Cowlitz County: Up to 25% part-time contract.

Simple Possession Advocacy & Representation (SPAR) Program

The Washington State Legislature appropriated funding to us to help counties and cities provide public defense services for individuals charged under the offenses created in Second Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (2E2SSB) 5536. Our Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program administers and disburses these funds. OPD is requesting applications for contract attorneys for misdemeanor practice in the cities listed below. Please click the contract location name below to be directed to the careers.wa.gov website for more information. 

City of Kennewick, Richland, West Richland: Two full-time contracts.

Parents Representation Program - Application Pool Announcement 

The Washington State Office of Public Defense Parent Representation Program is starting an application pool for full and part-time attorney contract for future openings in all Washington State counties. View application procedures [PDF]

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