Law Student Summer Intern

Despite the current execution moratorium, California maintains the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. We need your help to save lives.

The Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) provides cutting-edge legal services to indigent people convicted of non-capital and capital offenses who appeal their convictions to California Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court. We are looking to train the next generation of appellate defenders on everything from capital case procedure to how to litigate the Racial Justice Act.

As a Law Student Summer Intern with the OSPD, you will become a stronger writer and sharper legal researcher. You will come away with an understanding of what a career in appellate criminal defense entails and a writing sample that will help you open doors. Most importantly, you will be making a difference in the lives of people who need your help.

Please take the short recruitment survey linked below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M7N6925

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 and or part-time telework in accordance with government code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California.
• Travel may be required up to 5%.

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. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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

• GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANT

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-443075

Position #(s):
426-015-4872-901

Working Title:
Law Student Summer Intern

Classification:
GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANT $3,616.00 - $4,020.00 A
$3,904.00 - $4,341.00 B
$4,046.00 - $4,543.00 C
$4,214.00 - $4,731.00 D

# of Positions:
5

Work Location:
United States

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Student Assistant

Department Information
The OSPD is legislatively mandated to focus its resources on post-conviction appellate representation in death penalty cases and improving indigent defense in California by providing assistance and training to local public defender systems.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

OSPD is committed to promoting a workplace rooted in the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). 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.

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

Application Instructions
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: Until Filled
Who May Apply
This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position. Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating "preference under Government Code section 18220". Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

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
Attn: Human Resources -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 -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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other -
  • Cover Letter
  • Two References
  • Law School Transcripts: Official and Non-Official transcripts will be accepted; however, a person(s) appointed for the summer months must produce evidence of enrollment in the fall term and a copy of their official college/university transcript.
  • Legal Writing Sample: A legal writing sample, preferably including substantive legal analysis, is required. Your sample should be no longer than 10 pages, single-spaced, and in 12 pt. font.

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:

• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Constitutional Law and Evidence

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently with supervision, and in a team environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relations with all levels of staff.
• Ability to maintain security and confidentiality of privileged information in compliance with applicable laws.
• Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, other Microsoft Office applications, Adobe, and Westlaw and the ability to use such programs efficiently and effectively.
• Knowledge of legal research and writing principals.
• Ability to problem-solve and manage time effectively.
• Ability to meet scheduled and last-minute deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to act independently and to use good judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the 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:
Denise Armendariz
(916) 322-2676
Denise.Armendariz@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.