Non-Capital Training Attorney

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.

Salary

• $11,993 - $16,096/month

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY IV

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.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

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.

Mission Statement

OSPD's mission is to advocate zealously for the underrepresented, particularly those facing capital sentences, while empowering the broader defense community to ensure effective and equitable representation for all.

Diversity Statement

OSPD is committed to promoting a workplace rooted in the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. We can best serve our clients and stakeholders when we have a diverse staff that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived experiences, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our colleagues.

An inclusive culture improves the quality of our work lives and makes us better advocates for our clients and better colleagues to each other. We are continually growing and are committed to equitable, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory hiring practices.

OSPD encourages applications from all qualified individuals of any race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and veteran status.

OSPD is recognized by the State Bar of California as a gold tier recipient of the DEI Leadership Seal Program for its on-going commitment to advancing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion for all staff through evidence-based actions.

Department Website: http://www.ospd.ca.gov/

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.

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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. 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.