REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT PARENTS IN DEPENDENCY AND TERMINATION CASES
Agency Name: Washington State Office of Public Defense
Position / Job Title : REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT PARENTS IN DEPENDENCY AND TERMINATION CASES
Location: Kittitas County
Category : Attorney
Job Description: The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Parents Representation Program (PRP) currently provides
state funded attorney representation and case support services to indigent parents, custodians and legal guardians
involved in child dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings in all Washington counties.
Kittitas County: A .25 dependency contract (up to 20 open and active dependency & termination cases) is available
in Kittitas County. Position is open until filled. Start date is negotiable
All Counties: Although OPD does not anticipate any immediate openings, OPD is willing to accept applications for all
counties in order to identify interested parties if openings become available in the future.
The approximate caseload for a full-time attorney is 80 cases. The current annual compensation for a full-time
contractor is $200,347. Part-time attorney position compensation is pro-rated based on a percentage of a full-time
case load. Compensation includes all overhead such as support staff, rent, and other costs of doing business.
Compensation is dependent on experience. PFML often is available to employees of our contractors (including
private law firms). PFML program includes an opt-in for self-employed people such as our solo practice contractors.
More information can be found at the following link https://paidleave.wa.gov/elective-coverage/
If interested, follow the application procedures below.
Support: OPD provides contracted attorneys access to funds for expert services pursuant to
OPD’s expert services policy, as well as access to technical support from experienced OPD staff.
OPD provides social services workers who contract independently with OPD to assist attorneys on cases and provide
support for parents. In addition, OPD provides access to a virtual academy for contractors, a contractor online
toolbox that includes a brief bank, prior training materials, and access to forms. OPD contractors can sign up for the
dependency list serve to gain access to a wealth of knowledge and experience of dependency attorneys statewide.
OPD also coordinates and hosts a number of CLEs annually to ensure contractors can meet contractual training
requirements.
PRP Purpose Statement: Ensuring a fair and equitable child welfare system by leading, administering, and
supporting the effective and efficient delivery of multidisciplinary right-to-counsel services for indigent parents facing
state intervention in the parent-child relationship.
Qualifications
The following qualifications are required:
• Licensed member of good standing with the Washington State Bar.
• Ability to meet Washington State Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense.
• A demonstrated commitment to parents’ rights, indigent defense, and social justice issues.
• Experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities
for individuals and families experiencing state intervention in their lives and a willingness to challenge the
state when it exists.
• Experience and/or ability to provide representation with energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to trauma-
informed, anti-racist, intersectional, non-judgmental, and truly holistic advocacy throughout the case.
• Familiarity with RCW 13.34 and court rules pertaining to dependency and termination cases.
• Be responsive to, and communicate clearly with, clients who are often under great stress.
• Collaborate and develop working relationships with other parties and all dependency court partners.
• Experience in the court for which you are interested is preferred, but not required.
Application Procedure
Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your
qualifications and a resume. Letters of interest should also describe applicant’s current contracts for public defense
or other representation, as well as existing caseload, specifying the number of your current dependency and
termination cases, if any.
Email Materials to:
ParentsRepAdmin@opd.wa.gov
Please address any questions to our admin staff at the above email address.
OPD reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with
any and all applicants. This Request for Qualifications does not obligate the state of Washington or OPD to contract
for the services specified here.