Job description

The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California is accepting applications for the position of a full-time Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD). This attorney will be stationed in the Oakland office. The FPD operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, to provide court-appointed legal representation to people charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. More information about the office may be found at www.ndcalfpd.org.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The AFPD will advocate for our clients charged with criminal offenses or involved in post-conviction proceedings in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The AFPD will assume active caseloads ranging from complex felonies to misdemeanors. The position requires managing cases at various stages of litigation; preparing pleadings, briefs, and motions; appearing on behalf of clients in court hearings and at other related proceedings; developing litigation strategies; meeting with clients, experts, witnesses, and family members; and performing other duties as assigned. The AFPD will work to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent; receive a vigorous defense; and, if convicted, receive a fair sentence. They will advocate for humane sentences by collaborating with teams of investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other staff to develop mitigation evidence and to present judges with fully developed views of our clients and their lives, not merely their charges. This position requires some travel throughout our district and occasional out-of-district travel. At the discretion of the Defender, AFPDs in the Oakland office may also be assigned to cases in the San Francisco and San Jose offices.

This position is for a trial attorney in the Oakland office of the Federal Defender. While the AFPD’s duties include representation at all stages of proceedings (magistrate, trial, appellate, and ancillary matters) under the direction of the Federal Defender, the attorney’s primary responsibility will be to represent clients at the trial court level. The AFPD must work at the Oakland duty station, unless out of the office for investigation, jail visits, or other work-related business. Please note that telecommuting is not authorized for AFPD positions. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, the current office policy permits employees to work remotely up to two days per week when possible. Such a schedule is not always possible given the in-person responsibilities of the position. Additionally, the work from home policy may change at the discretion of the Defender. The position requires travel for training, investigation, and litigation.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must:
 Be a law-school graduate, currently a member in good standing of the State Bar of California (the office does not pay for bar dues), and admitted or eligible for admission to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
 Possess strong research skills and effective written and oral communication
abilities; demonstrate an aptitude for trial and appellate practice; and, have a deep commitment to the vigorous representation of indigent clients.
 Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
 Preference for three years of prior legal experience in criminal law and federal
courts.

Offers are conditioned upon satisfactorily completing a required fingerprint check and background investigation.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: This is a full-time position. Salary is based on federal pay
schedules and is commensurate with experience. This position has a starting salary range of $81,338 to $165,314. The full performance salary range is $81,338 to $176,200. The salary will be based on professional attorney experience. Benefits include health, long-term care, and life insurance, as well as 11 paid federal holidays, 13 days of paid sick leave, and 13 days of paid vacation leave annually. (The rate of paid vacation leave increases with years of service.) The position is eligible for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which matches up to 5% of employee contributions, up to a cap. Salary is paid every other week and only by direct deposit.

Note that attorneys at the Office of the Federal Public Defender may not engage in the private practice of law and must get approval from the Defender to engage in any outside employment activities.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will only be accepted online and must be submitted through this web portal:
https://ndcalfd.knack.com/applications#attorney/
Please prepare and upload a .pdf application packet, which should include the following material in a single .pdf file:

• A plain face sheet, containing only your last name, first name, and the name of your current employer or your current employment status;
• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position;
• Your resume;
• A writing sample (preferably written within the last two years) that demonstrates your own original work;
• Three professional references, including name, email address, and telephone number (references will not be contacted until applicant is advised).

The uploaded .pdf file should be named, “Last name, first name.” (E.g., “Doe, Jane.pdf”)

Applications submitted by fax, mail, or email will not be considered.
Applicants invited to interview will be asked, but are not required, to complete a Judicial Branch Employment form (AO78). Completion of such form is not considered in evaluating an application.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek a lawyer who shares this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the FPD because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We are interested in applicants’ talent, intelligence, dedication, and persistence, and desire to see that all people are treated fairly and respectfully – no matter the allegation or circumstance. The FPD seeks applications from a diverse group of qualified individuals in terms of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, culture, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, education, opinions, age, languages spoken, veteran status, disability, religion, and socioeconomic circumstance. We especially encourage applications from members of the BIPOC community, people affected by the criminal legal system, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

Interviewing Non-Citizens and Offers of Future Employment: While non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions set forth in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). Usually, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a U.S. Citizen, or is a lawful permanent resident seeking U.S. citizenship as described here:

http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employmentjudiciary
.
Applicants will only be contacted if selected for an interview. The position will remain open until filled by the Federal Public Defender.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $81,338.00 - $176,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Oakland, CA 94612: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location

blackflymedia.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, blackflymedia.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, blackflymedia.com is the ideal place to find your next job.