Initial Posting Date:
05/22/2026
Application Deadline:
05/28/2026
Agency:
Oregon Public Defense Commission
Salary Range:
$4,848 - $7,163
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Paralegal (Juvenile Appellate Section)
The Oregon Public Defense Commission(OPDC)is excited to announceanopportunityas a Paralegalinour JuvenileAppellateSection (JAS) We encourage dedicated and detail-orientedcandidateswho are passionate aboutindigent defenseand committed to supporting an inclusive workplace to apply. This isa great opportunityto expand your skills and contribute meaningfully toOPDC’sappellate advocacy
Position
Paralegal (JuvenileAppellate Section)
Intake and ReversionsA paralegal in the Juvenile Appellate Section supports attorneys who provide appellate representation to parents in juvenile dependencyand termination of parental rights cases and to youth injuvenile delinquency cases. The JAS paralegal processesall incoming case referrals, conductsinitial conflict checks, and assessesthe appealability and completeness of referred cases.The positionrequiresregular communication with clients, attorneys, and staffin person, by telephone, by email, and by conventional mail.The paralegalhandlesuntimely referrals and revertsconflict and overflowcases to panel attorneys. Theparalegal isalsoresponsible forgeneratinganddisseminatingboth canned and ad hoc reports
Client AssistanceThe JAS paralegalresponds to inquiries from clients, opposing counsel, courts, and trial counsel, while conducting conflict checks and coordinating requests forassistanceThe paralegal is also responsible for workingwith variousentitiesto obtain necessary documents andidentifyevents that mayrenderan appeal moot.
Duties
Attorney Support
Serve as legal support to assigned attorneys.
Preserve each attorney’s case files including file management and case tracking.
Promptly process and deliver incoming documents and file as needed in client files,
Maintain client files in a well-organized and clutter-free manner.
Monitor and check file due dates.
Keepattorneys'calendars and coordinate meeting due dates.
Review database reports and calendar entries.
Assess and review trial court records.
Access trial court documents and appellate court documents from circuit court and appellate court electronic case management systems.
Track andmonitorattorney’s caseload.
Monitor calendar due datesand keep attorneys apprised.
Produce files and documents at attorney or management direction.
Colorable Claim Case Intake and Assessment
Process all incoming case referrals for colorable claim cases from the electronic referral system.
Conduct initial conflict checks using AD’s case management systems.
Engage with incoming clients, AD attorneys, and trial attorneys by email and phone to request and provide information on the appeal process and colorable claim requirements toinitiateappeals.
Assess and evaluate for attorney review the colorable claimsidentifiedin the case referral materials orapparentfrom the appealable order or judgment for purposes of filing a notice of appeal.
Case Preparation
Assistin preparation of cases for appeal by reviewing, organizing, and indexing documents.
Check in transcripts, review for conformity with the notice of appeal and rules, review for references to exhibits or other documents considered by the trial court (including electronically searching each transcript for key terms), ensure that all exhibits to the trial court matter are received by the Court of Appeals and OPDC.
Writing and Preparing Letters and Legal Documents
Review, analyze, and draft letters and motions.
Assistwith briefing and document preparation by cite-checking and proofreading.
Office Support
Provide support and coverage of duties for other legal support by.
managing case transfers.
serving asparalegalto attorneys on a temporary basis while the attorney’s assignedparalegalis on leave.
Ongoing
Engage in effective team participationwitha willingness toassistand support coworkers, supervisors, and other work-related associations.
Develop good working relationships with clients, coworkers, and supervisors by activelyparticipatingin office-wide activities and programs and byidentifyingand resolving problems in a constructive, collaborative manner.
Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment in a manner that fosters and promotes the importance and value of a diverse, discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.
Respect diversity of opinions, ideas, and cultural differences.
Demonstrate independent and critical thinking.
Other duties as assigned.
This recruitment will be used toestablisha list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancyand may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
LocationSalem,Oregon (In office preference with potential for hybrid work.)
CompensationRange $4,848- $7,163
What’sin it for you:
Advancement in your profession and a competitive salary and benefits package.
OPDC supports work/life balance and overall wellness and offersagenerous benefits packageincluding employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).
The top candidate will be screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluatesvarious factors Please see the Pay Equitywebsite for more information.
As a state employee, you may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness(PSLF) program, helping you achieve financial freedom while making a difference.
Minimum Qualifications:
Two years associate degree in paralegal or legal assistant studies.
OR
Eighteen months of Paralegal experience.
OR
Any combination of training and experience thatdemonstratesexperience in legal work, independent judgment, legal terminology principles, concepts, systems, and processes.
Experience must includeappellateand trial methods and procedures, legal ethics, and skill in preparing legaldocuments andexplaining legal issues.
The Top (8) Desired Attributes for theseRoles
1.Strong OrganizationalSkills
Essential for managing case files, tracking deadlines, handling intake, andmaintainingaccuraterecords across multiple systems.
2Effective Communication
Ability to engage with attorneys, clients, courts, and other stakeholders clearly and professionally via phone, email, and in writing
3.Attention to Detail:
Critical for reviewing legal documents and transcripts, verifying records, and ensuring compliance with court rules.
4.Legal Knowledge& Analytical Thinking
Understanding of appellate procedures, ability to assess claims and sentencing issues, and perform preliminary legal assessments.
5.Technical Proficiency
Competence in using electronic case management systems, accessing court records, and producing legal documents efficiently.
6.Teamwork & Collaboration
Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and external partners in a legal environment.
7Adaptability andInitiative
Willingnessand abilityto take on varied responsibilities (e.g., officer of the day, legal assistant coverage), manage shifting priorities, and solve problems independently.
8Cultural Competence & Respect for Differences
Ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
Application Guidance
Current State of Oregon Employees:Apply via your employee Workday account.
External applicants:View this application instructional video A PDF is also available by clicking here
Application Requirements
REQUIRED RESUME:Attach your most up-to-date Resume Please ensure your Workday profile aligns with your submission.
REQUIRED COVER LETTER:As part of the application process, we are requestingthat yousubmita cover letter that clearlydemonstrateshow you meet the desired attributes for these positions.
**APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**
Who we are.
The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is an agency governed by a 13-member commission appointed by the Governor, which serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essentialcomponentof Oregon’s public safety system.
OPDC’s mission is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for persons eligible for a public defender. Its office includes the Executive, Appellate, Trial, Trial Development & Resources, and Administrative Services Divisions.
OPDC negotiates contracts with trial level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The Agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education. Financial Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases, juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases, and parole cases. Other services in the Agency include, Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.
Recruitment Timeline
*These dates are approximate and may change. *
Recruitment Closes:Thursday, May28,2026 @ 11:59 PST
Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications:On-going
Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes:On-going
Interviews:TBD
Additional Details
This announcement is for one, full-time, permanentParalegal This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
Please save a copy of this job announcement, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.
If you have questions about the announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, contactChantelle LaGoy, chantelle.m.lagoy@opdc.state.or.us,(503) 991-2274
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, be sure tosubmityour documentation prior to the close date of this posting. For more information, please go to the State website: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx
OPDC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce. Assistancewill be provided in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request suchassistance Please call (503) 991-2274 as early as possibleregardinganyassistanceyou may require.
Official LinkedIn page for the state of Oregon. Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern boundaries, respectively. The area was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before the arrival of traders, explorers, and settlers who formed an autonomous government in Oregon Country in 1843. The Oregon Territory was created in 1848, and Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.
