Salary: $95,000.00 – $107,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-OCLA CRPA
Department: Office of Civil Legal Aid
Opening Date: 06/08/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Close: Open Until Filled; OCLA reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
Travel: Travel is required
Salary: $95,000 — $107,000 DOE
Location: Washington State
Start Date: July 1, 2023 or as soon thereafter as possible
End Date: July 1, 2025
Overview
The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) seeks a highly motivated individual to administer, oversee, and support effective implementation of various reentry-related civil legal aid programs funded through the Community Reinvestment Account, a $200,000,000 investment by Washington State to redress the harms of the war on drugs and its disproportionate impact on communities of color. The administrator will oversee the development of a fully automated online tool for vacating criminal convictions and remitting legal financial obligations (“LFOs”). This position will also be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and administration of several legal services programs aimed at removing barriers to successful reentry into civil society for individuals with prior criminal justice involvement. These programs will create new pathways to relief by partnering with trusted Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Public Defenders to provide legal services for individuals with prior contact with the criminal legal system, including record expungement, LFO remission, professional license reinstatement, and removing barriers to housing benefits that result from prior contact with the criminal legal system. This position is funded by limited duration funding. Absent new investment from the State, the position will terminate June 30, 2025.
OCLA is an independent agency in the judicial branch of state government. Recognizing that “the provision of civil legal aid services to indigent persons is an important component of the state’s responsibility to provide for the proper and effective administration of civil and criminal justice,” the Washington State Legislature established OCLA in 2005 to manage the then-small state investment in civil legal aid services to low-income people in Washington State. In the years since, the Legislature has greatly expanded the scope of OCLA’s responsibilities.
Consistent with , OCLA acknowledges that it and its contracted civil legal aid providers operate in a law and justice system historically grounded in racism and that time and again has administered justice differentially depending on the racial identities of those involved. OCLA was an initial subscriber to theAs outlined in its Race Equity and Justice Statement of Purpose, OCLA is committed to being an active partner in carrying out the Washington State judicial branch’s commitment to ensuring equity and justice for people and communities throughout our state. It does this by:
- Underwriting, supporting, and overseeing effective, equity-driven delivery of civil legal services to low-income people throughout the State of Washington. In doing so, we require providers and contractors to focus on and actively engage with communities most harmed by poverty and lack of access to essential health, social, educational, and economic opportunities, services, and support. We do so recognizing that access to civil justice can mitigate and interrupt poverty-driven harms and suffering, including disproportionate contact with juvenile, child welfare, eviction, and criminal justice systems;
- Helping identify and address law and justice system practices, policies, and biases that cause or perpetuate differential treatment and disproportionate outcomes for poor communities, especially those harmed by structural racism. Based on this knowledge, we help facilitate changes necessary to transform existing systems that cause or perpetuate disproportionate harms to and injustices experienced by low-income people, families, and communities.
- Ensuring that we orient our internal policies, practices, and focus around our commitment to equity and anti-racism – both within the context of internal agency operations as well as in our engagement with external communities, partners, and contractors.
- Ensuring rigorous stewardship of and accountability for public funding entrusted to us, consistent applicable laws and our equity and anti-racism goals
OCLA funds a wide range of civil legal aid programs and projects focused on ensuring equity of access to the civil justice system for low-income people in Washington State. These include (a) a general statewide civil legal aid program, (b) a program providing appointed counsel for children and youth in the child welfare system, (c) a program providing civil legal assistance to victims of crime, (d) programs providing civil legal help to persons adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and (e) a number of smaller programs serving the needs of individuals reentering civil society, affected by the State v. Blake decision, legal support for kinship caregivers, and help for survivors of domestic violence.
Duties
Primary Activities
Under the supervision of the Eviction Defense/Restorative Justice Program Manager, the Community Reinvestment Program Administrator will help with development, administration, oversight, evaluation, and reporting on programs funded by the Community Reinvest Account. The Community Reinvestment Program Administrator will:
- The administrator will be responsible for overseeing contract compliance and performance monitoring of Community Reinvestment reentry civil legal aid programs, ensuring that obligations are met and services are effectively delivered.
- Provide technical assistance, support to, and coordination with community-based organizations working with legal aid providers across a range of restorative justice civil justice programs.
- Develop and draft policies and guidance for contractors, collaborators, and civil justice system entities on effective implementation of OCLA programs.
- Ensuring accountability to OCLA’s and contractors’ race equity commitments in the administration and execution of OCLA’s restorative justice civil legal aid programs.
- Perform such other duties that, in consultation and under the supervision of the Eviction Defense/Restorative Justice Program Manager or OCLA Director or the Director’s designee may require.
Qualifications
Skills and Background
- The ideal candidate for this position will have lived experience including but not limited to having been formerly incarcerated.
- Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or related professional and/or lived experience that demonstrates the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Civil legal aid, pro bono, public defense, or other relevant legal experience (preferred).
- Demonstrated understanding of the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of communities disproportionately composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English speaking persons, and others who have been historically marginalized in rental housing markets and in the law and justice system. (required).
- Knowledge, experience with, or understanding of courts and civil and criminal justice systems (required).
- Strong cross-cultural communication skills. (required).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications (esp. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) (required)
Supplemental Information
Reporting
The Community Reinvestment Program Administrator reports to the Eviction Defense/Restorative Justice Program Manager
Compensation and Benefits
Location: OCLA operates predominately as a virtual agency; preference for location in the Puget Sound region of western Washington
Salary: $95,000 – $107,000 DOE
Benefits: Paid contributions to medical/dental, life insurance, and long
term disability insurance programs
Leave: Paid vacation and sick leave benefits
Retirement: Employer contributions to state retirement benefits
Click here for more benefit information
Application Procedure
Applications should be filed electronically with and should include the subject heading Statement of Interest – Restorative Justice Program Administrator
Submissions must include:
- A cover letter and resume outlining the applicant’s credentials and professional/lived experience that is responsive to the skills and background outlined in this Notice
- A list of at least three (3) peer professional references
- A self-edited writing sample
- A completed application for state employment ()
CLOSING DATE: The announcement will remain open until filled, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. OCLA reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.
Additional Information
The Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is committed to equity and inclusion in hiring and employment practices and full compliance with federal and state equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination laws. OCLA strongly encourages members of diverse and historically disfavored and underrepresented demographic communities to apply. OCLA will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship, or immigration status; families with children; gender (including gender identify and gender expression); marital status; sexual orientation; age; veteran or military status; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (actual or perceived); or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Individuals who meet the requirements of the position and have had prior involvement in the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply. Individuals needing reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact
OCLA believes in providing substantial professional flexibility consistent with necessary accountability considerations. We also support Washington State’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts. We, therefore, take a generous approach to telecommunication and remote work activity.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022