Policy Analyst (OPA2)

Initial Posting Date:

08/13/2025

Application Deadline:

08/27/2025

Agency:

Oregon Public Defense Commission

Salary Range:

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Policy Analyst (OPA2)

Job Description:

The Oregon Public Defense Commission is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative professional to join our team as a Policy Analyst! If you are passionate about shaping policy in support of equitable and effective public defense, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our mission-driven team!

   

Position: Policy Analyst (OPA2)

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

• This position is hybrid, however, during the first six months of employment, the selected candidate will be expected to report to the Salem office a minimum of three days of the work week. This in-person presence is essential for onboarding, training, and collaboration with team members. After the initial six-month trial period, the hybrid schedule may be adjusted based on business needs and manager approval.

Location: Salem, Oregon  

Salary Range: $5,749 - $8,491 

  

What’s in it for you 

You will continue to be a part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package!   

·          OPDC supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness and offers a generous benefits package including, 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 posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. The top candidate will be screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluates various factors. Please see the Pay Equity website for more information.   

  

Minimum Qualifications 

A bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science, or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and two (2) years of professional-level evaluative, analytical, and planning work.

OR

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to five (5) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

  

What you will do 

This position supports the agency by researching and creating policies and procedures. This position will monitor the annual policy review process and share the results with the Policy team and management. They will work with employees of other sections to update existing policies, procedures, and work to create new policies and procedures. The person in this position will be responsible for posting all policies and procedures to the internal SharePoint folder and externally to the Agency website.

Application Guidance & Requirements:   

• Current OPDC Employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.   

• REQUIRED: Attach your most up-to-date resume. Please ensure your Workday profile aligns with your submission. 

• REQUIRED: Attach a cover letter that details how you meet the desired attributes for this position. You cover letter should be no more than 2-pages.  (A cover letter that does not meet the required criteria will be graded as ineligible.)

   

**APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**   

  

Duties  

 

Policy Guidance

This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining an annual policy review process to ensure agency-wide compliance, while also collaborating with staff on policy development and regulatory alignment. It involves conducting research on public defense best practices, coordinating with other agencies, and creating internal policies, procedures, and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) in response to legislative or operational changes. The position also includes maintaining policy records, interpreting regulations for staff, and supporting processes such as Public Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) application screening.

 

Outreach/Internal Agency Liaison

This role involves creating and maintaining policy-related forms and documents, managing records and the agency’s SharePoint policy page, and providing training to staff on its use. It also includes collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to offer policy guidance and overseeing communications through the Policy team’s email inbox.

 

Other

This position will participate in agency strategic planning as well as agency Compliance, Audit, and Performance (CAP) implementation.

 

The Top (8) Desired Attributes for this Role 

• Policy Development Expertise: Ability to create, evaluate, and revise agency policies, procedures, and administrative rules.

• Analytical Research Skills: Strong capacity to research best practices, interpret regulations, and assess compliance across public defense systems.

• Attention to Detail:  Precision in maintaining policy records, evaluating PSLF applications, and managing documentation.

• Project Management Abilities:  Skilled in coordinating annual review processes, strategic planning, and agency-wide implementation efforts.

• Communication Skills:  Proficient in explaining complex policies and procedures clearly to both internal staff and external stakeholders.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Effective in working across divisions, with program staff, leadership, and other agencies.

• Technical Proficiency: Competence with systems like SharePoint and digital file management to organize and disseminate policy information.

• Cultural Competence and Commitment to Equity: Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and actively contributes to creating an inclusive, equitable, and discrimination-free workplace.

 

 

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 essential component of 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: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 @ 11:59 PM

Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going   

Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes: On-going   

First-Round Interviews: Week of September 16th, 2025

Assessment: Information will be provided following the first round of interviews.

  

Veterans Preference  

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, be sure to submit your 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. Assistance will be provided in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.  Please call (503) 991-2274 as early as possible regarding any assistance you may require.