Washington State Office of Public Defense — Advisory Committee Chair
Application Materials Due: April 30, 2026
Position Overview
- Position: Advisory Committee Chair
- Organization: Washington State Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee
- Appointed by: Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court
- Compensation: Volunteer service — travel expenses may be reimbursed
- Location: Olympia, Washington
- Website: www.opd.wa.gov
About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)
We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.
- Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
- Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
- Values: Justice ■ Service ■ Equity ■ Excellence
We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.
About the OPD Advisory Committee
RCW 2.70.030 creates a 13-member OPD Advisory Committee and directs the Committee to:
- Meet at least quarterly
- Review at least biennially the performance of the OPD Director, and submit reviews to the Chief Justice
- Receive reports from the OPD Director
- Make policy recommendations to the Legislature and the Supreme Court
- Approve the office's budget requests
- Advise the Director regarding administration and oversight of the office's program areas
- Carry out other duties as authorized or required by law
About the Role: Chair of the OPD Advisory Committee
As provided in RCW 2.70.030, the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court appoints the Chair of the OPD Advisory Committee.
During the term of appointment, no appointee may:
- Provide indigent defense services funded by a city, a county, or the state, except on a pro bono basis
- Serve as a judge except on a pro tem basis or as a court employee
- Serve as a prosecutor or prosecutor employee
Desirable Qualifications
- Demonstrated commitment to the right to counsel and the delivery of high-quality public defense services throughout the state of Washington
- Demonstrated values of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate
- Reputation for integrity
- Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with a diverse community of legislators, judges, public defenders, state employees, and others
- Demonstrated visionary, yet strategic and practical, thinking
Diversity Statement
The OPD Advisory Committee vigorously pursues diversity among its membership. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, persons of disability, military veterans, and persons with lived experience in the justice system are encouraged to apply.
Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means the Office of Public Defense and the OPD Advisory Committee are committed to ensuring a respectful, safe, and supportive work environment.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates may apply by submitting the following to the OPD Director or OPD Legislative Coordinator, who will conduct an initial review of applications and forward recommendations to the Chief Justice.
Required Application Materials:
- Letter of interest, describing your interest in the position and your specific qualifications
- Current résumé
Submit application materials by email to:
Application deadline is 5 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2026.
