The Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is seeking a Non-Capital Training Attorney with extensive appellate criminal defense experience who is committed to mentoring and developing attorneys handling non-capital appeals and postconviction matters in order to meet the qualifications to be lead counsel in death penalty cases. The Non-Capital Training Attorney will provide comprehensive guidance on non-capital appellate practice and will work closely with individual attorneys on all aspects of their non-capital cases, focusing on high quality, client-centered representation. The Non-Capital Training Attorney will also assist the Director of Non-Capital Appellate Representation with managing OSPD's Non-Capital Appellate Representation Program and work collaboratively with OSPD staff to identify and address the program's training needs.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions OSPD has two regional offices located in Oakland and Sacramento.
- The Oakland office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near the 12th Street BART station, not to mention a variety of delicious restaurants.
- The Sacramento office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near SacRT Light Rail stations, Downtown Commons, and plenty of shopping.
OSPD permits full-time telework in accordance with government code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. Business travel reimbursements consider an employee's designated Headquarters Location and primary residence. The policy may be subject to change by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
Due to the nature of the position, appellate attorneys are sometimes required to work nights, weekends and other non-traditional schedules. Absent unusual circumstances, certain duties must be performed in person, such as oral arguments, and visiting detention facilities. For this position, it will be the responsibility of the attorney, in coordination with their supervisor, to ensure that any remote work they perform complies with the ethical obligations of attorneys and court requirements.
This position requires travel to clients, conferences, meetings, and training events up to 10% of the time and includes occasional overnight travel, up to a week. Travel is primarily by automobile but also includes occasional train, airplane, or public transportation.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents - Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523393
Position #(s):
426-015-5780-031
Working Title:
Non-Capital Training Attorney
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A Individuals appointed to the Attorney IV classification are eligible to receive the designated Hire-Above-Minimum (HAM) rate. The Attorney IV classification HAM rate is set at $13,313.00.
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Telework
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information The OSPD is legislatively mandated to focus its resources on postconviction appellate representation in death penalty cases and improving indigent defense in California by providing assistance and training to local public defender systems.
Special Requirements The position requires an active membership in the California State Bar.
Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 11/2/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Office of the State Public Defender
Human Resources Office
Attn: TM
770 L Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Office of the State Public Defender
Human Resources Office
TM
770 L Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Statement of Qualifications - Please see the "Statement of Qualifications" section for instructions.
- Other - A writing sample consisting of a persuasive written brief, or portion of a brief, not to exceed 20 pages (double-spaced with 12 or 13 point font), which demonstrates your ability to apply complex legal principles to the facts of a case. It should be substantially your own work, with minimal editing by others. Please redact client identifying information.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
- Knowledge of legal principles and their application to criminal law and appellate proceedings.
- Knowledge of the scope and character of California statutory law and provisions of the California Constitution and the United States Constitution.
- Knowledge of California criminal defense appellate practice in non-capital appeals and postconviction proceedings.
- Knowledge of capital litigation.
- Ability to effectively review case records, analyze difficult and complex legal problems, and apply legal principles and precedents to legal problems.
- Ability to craft clear and effective written pleadings in complex appellate cases.
- Ability to mentor other attorneys through all stages of a non-capital appeal and develop their appellate practice skills.
- Ability to monitor developments in the law and consider their impact on the agency's cases.
- Ability to direct the work of clerical and professional assistants.
- Ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful work environment for all levels of staff.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and professionalism.
- Experience litigating criminal cases in California appellate courts, including experience effectively litigating complex appellate cases independently.
- Experience supervising or mentoring attorneys, interns, or law students.
- Experience providing effective feedback on motions, briefs, petitions, and oral arguments and supporting skill building.
- Experience preparing training materials, legal outlines, practice guides, and/or training programs for attorneys.
- Experience building trusting relationships with a diverse array of clients, some of whom may have serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or intellectual disabilities.
- Experience working in a team environment.
- Experience maintaining security and confidentiality of privileged information in compliance with ethical rules and applicable laws.
- Familiarity with the impact of race on criminal trials and appeals, on persons subject to incarceration, and on the criminal legal system as a whole.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
Benefits The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Vision, Dental, and Retirement benefits. For more information on what is offered by the State of California, please visit the California Department of Human Resources CalHR website and the California Public Employees' Retirement System CalPERS website.
Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.ospd.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Twanna Moore
(916) 322-7043
Twanna.Moore@ospd.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Jannet Esparza
(916) 322-7622
Jannet.Esparza@ospd.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Statement of Qualification Instructions (SOQ) Please provide detailed responses to the questions below. Your response must be type-written in narrative form, single-spaced and no longer than 4 pages. Please note that the SOQ also serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.
Describe your experience as a lead counsel on appeal in criminal defense matters or in other postconviction proceedings, including the total number of cases handled as lead counsel, the number of oral arguments, the appellate districts in which you practiced, and the variety of issues raised in those matters. Describe your experience supervising, editing, or offering suggestions on the work of other attorneys, interns, or law students in any aspect of post-conviction criminal defense, from record completion matters through petitions following the direct appeal. Include the experience level of the attorneys. Describe your approach to mentoring others and providing feedback, including any experience you have preparing training materials, practice guides, or training programs for attorneys. Describe your experience in building or fostering cohesive criminal defense teams and participating in inclusive professional relationships with colleagues and clients. Include any experience you have working with clients with mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or intellectual disabilities. Applicants who fail to submit a SOQ will not be considered for interview.
Attorney IV Exam/Assessment You must take and pass the Attorney IV examination to establish list eligibility before a job offer. Please visit https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1581
