Salary: $157,560.00 - $204,526.40 Annually
Location : Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue #1000, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term-Ltd
Job Number: 2026AR27853
Department: DPD - Dept of Public Defense
Division: Assoc Counsel for Accused
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/ :59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AD2 : L117-DPD-Sups&Mgrs-Atty
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking to fill one Special Duty Assignment (SDA) for the position of Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor in our Practice area placement will depend upon business need and the experience of the successful candidate, and may occur in any practice area.
This assignment is anticipated to last for up to six (6) months but has the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.
This recruitment will be used to fill future Special Duty vacancies over the next six (6) months.
The successful applicant will have a passion for public defense and for representing clients, focusing on their objectives, interests, and dignity. They will be committed to fighting institutional and structural racism and willing to address issues related to equity and social justice within the workplace and the broader work of public defense. They will have a demonstrated ability to supervise the work of other lawyers and support staff and to mentor, develop, evaluate, and support employees in a fast-paced environment.
Candidates should be fully knowledgeable of court procedures and the law; have considerable trial experience; possess excellent writing, research, and analytic skills, and have expertise in case preparation, handling, and disposition.
Depending on the needs of their unit, attorney supervisors may carry a partial caseload subject to the limitations in DPD's Case-Weight Credit Policy Manual.
Levels of responsibility will range from supervising entry-level attorneys to those who are highly experienced. The supervisor will ensure that caseload standards that foster excellence in legal representation are observed in accordance with Washington State Bar Association guidelines. Supervising attorneys will have demonstrated commitment to clients, the Division, and DPD. The successful applicant will have an aptitude for management and leadership and will be able to work within a team of managers.
The Department's Mission Statement
The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.
DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.
DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our
Job Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the folloing:
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
REQUIRED
King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
To be considered for this role submit the following items:
Pay Upon Special Duty Placement
Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.
If you are a current supervising attorney in ACAD and wish to be considered for transfer to another practice area, you should e-mail, Managing Attorney, Anna Samuel, at no later than the closing date of this recruitment.
All interested applicants are encouraged to apply or indicate transfer preferences.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Work Location and Schedule
The ACAD team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Public Defense Attorney Supervisors may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. If assigned to the civil commitment unit, you will primarily report to hospitals and treatment centers across the county. Because DPD prioritizes robust client contact and in-person court presence, work locations and reporting requirements may change to meet these priorities.
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time.
Rotations of work location and area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations. You may be assigned to any of our Seattle or Kent offices:
DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.
Outside Work Policy for Attorneys will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership
This position is represented by Teamsters 117.
Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jeannette Quintero,
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here .
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Are you a current and/or former employee of the Department of Public Defense?
02
If yes to the above, in which division(s)? Otherwise, please indicate N/A
03
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff.
Required Question
Location : Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue #1000, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term-Ltd
Job Number: 2026AR27853
Department: DPD - Dept of Public Defense
Division: Assoc Counsel for Accused
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/ :59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AD2 : L117-DPD-Sups&Mgrs-Atty
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking to fill one Special Duty Assignment (SDA) for the position of Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor in our Practice area placement will depend upon business need and the experience of the successful candidate, and may occur in any practice area.
This assignment is anticipated to last for up to six (6) months but has the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.
This recruitment will be used to fill future Special Duty vacancies over the next six (6) months.
The successful applicant will have a passion for public defense and for representing clients, focusing on their objectives, interests, and dignity. They will be committed to fighting institutional and structural racism and willing to address issues related to equity and social justice within the workplace and the broader work of public defense. They will have a demonstrated ability to supervise the work of other lawyers and support staff and to mentor, develop, evaluate, and support employees in a fast-paced environment.
Candidates should be fully knowledgeable of court procedures and the law; have considerable trial experience; possess excellent writing, research, and analytic skills, and have expertise in case preparation, handling, and disposition.
Depending on the needs of their unit, attorney supervisors may carry a partial caseload subject to the limitations in DPD's Case-Weight Credit Policy Manual.
Levels of responsibility will range from supervising entry-level attorneys to those who are highly experienced. The supervisor will ensure that caseload standards that foster excellence in legal representation are observed in accordance with Washington State Bar Association guidelines. Supervising attorneys will have demonstrated commitment to clients, the Division, and DPD. The successful applicant will have an aptitude for management and leadership and will be able to work within a team of managers.
The Department's Mission Statement
The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.
DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.
DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our
Job Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the folloing:
- Supervise attorneys.
- Develop, evaluate, train, mentor, and coach unit employees, and interns.
- Ensure work conforms with prevailing professional standards, applicable statues, rules, and DPD and county policies.
- In consultation and coordination with the ACAD Managing Attorney, the Director's Office, and Human Resources, conduct disciplinary investigations and impose discipline, when appropriate.
- Implement and monitor corrective and career development action plans and provide support to enable employees to make positive changes.
- Conduct performance evaluations of unit employees, at least annually, and as required for probationary periods, TLTs, and interns.
- Assign and balance workload among attorneys within unit.
- Ensure unit employees are up to date on DPD policies and developments, relevant legislative proposals or enactments and administrative and case law changes that bear on the practice area.
- Act as a catalyst for problem-solving and conflict resolution within the unit and the Division.
- Carry a partial caseload, requiring excellent legal representation and trial skills, excellent rapport with clients, strong legal research, strong negotiation skills and all necessary skills required of a caseload-carrying attorney.
- Maintain and update, as needed, a computerized case-management system to track caseloads and individual assignments. Have a working knowledge of the case management system and learn to utilize reports to evaluate and support the work of the unit.
- Identify cases that present an ethical conflict of interest for the Department of Public Defense.
- Work with Director's Office to ensure unit employees have the training and resources they need to do their jobs well.
- Actively support and promote DPD's mission and all policies and practices, including internal and external activities that strengthen public defense in King County.
- Serve at least twice a year on call and supervise the on-call attorneys.
- Be an active member of the Division Management Team, attend meetings, relay necessary information, and assist with office-wide initiatives and operations matters.
- Work closely with all supervisors to coordinate overlapping work and support the efficient operation of the division.
- Set a positive and supportive tone in the Division.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
REQUIRED
- Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school OR completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; AND must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association, be in good standing and have been a lawyer for at least three years.
- Murder/Sex/Felony High qualified (to be considered for Felony placements).
- Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations.
- Community resources and referral agencies appropriate to the specific program service.
- Computer applications, particularly as related to the performance of legal research and case management.
- Case management.
- Application of legal principles to individual cases or problems.
- Judicial and trial procedure and rules of evidence.
- The principles, methods and practices of legal research and investigation.
- Collaborate with Human Resource Manager, interpret and apply DPD, and County, Human Resource, and Coalition Labor Agreements, procedures, and policies.
- Manage a work unit, creating systems that allow for workflow to be predictable and staff to be supported to complete the necessary work.
- Build a strong attorney/client relationship.
- Communicate and work collaboratively with all segments of judicial and criminal justice systems.
- Investigate and document complaints and improve client relations.
- Train, supervise, evaluate, mentor, and improve the work of attorneys and professional legal and support staff, including establishing goals and assigning responsibilities, communicating work performance standards, establishing work priorities, evaluating, and disciplining.
- Assess and make program changes and address and resolve safety, training, and personnel issues.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, communicate clearly, professionally, and with empathy.
- Understanding and interpreting complex laws and regulations and analyzing complex legal documents and instruments.
- The ability to present facts, evidence and precedents concerned in complex cases in the form of briefs, opinions, orders, or decisions.
- Understanding and interpreting constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and precedents.
- Researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations, and court decisions.
- Working and building rapport with diverse cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic populations.
- Demonstrated commitment to the clients of DPD.
King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
To be considered for this role submit the following items:
- Completed King County application.
- A current/chronological resume.
- A Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense in this position.
Pay Upon Special Duty Placement
Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.
If you are a current supervising attorney in ACAD and wish to be considered for transfer to another practice area, you should e-mail, Managing Attorney, Anna Samuel, at no later than the closing date of this recruitment.
All interested applicants are encouraged to apply or indicate transfer preferences.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Work Location and Schedule
The ACAD team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Public Defense Attorney Supervisors may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. If assigned to the civil commitment unit, you will primarily report to hospitals and treatment centers across the county. Because DPD prioritizes robust client contact and in-person court presence, work locations and reporting requirements may change to meet these priorities.
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time.
Rotations of work location and area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations. You may be assigned to any of our Seattle or Kent offices:
- Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
- Jefferson Street Building - 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle
- Ninth & Jefferson Building - 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle
- Meeker Street Building - 420 West Harrison Street, Kent
- Redmond District Court - th Ave NE, Redmond (Jefferson for building location)
DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.
Outside Work Policy for Attorneys will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership
This position is represented by Teamsters 117.
Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jeannette Quintero,
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here .
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Are you a current and/or former employee of the Department of Public Defense?
- Yes
- No
02
If yes to the above, in which division(s)? Otherwise, please indicate N/A
- Associated Counsel for the Accused
- Northwest Defenders
- Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons
- The Defender Association
- Director's Office
- N/A
03
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of theeffective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff.
Required Question