Trial Services Deputy Director - County Indigent Defense System

Trial Services Deputy Director - County Indigent Defense System

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

The OPD is seeking a passionate, organized, and strategic indigent defense leader to join its executive leadership team as a Trial Services Deputy Director. You will directly negotiate with county commissioners to enact contracts for indigent defense services in their counties; work to recruit and support good government contracting processes; establish and build communications with judges and prosecutors; develop and implement new procedures; and supervise a team of three trial attorneys who are appointed to represent the most challenging cases in local systems where qualified attorneys are otherwise not available. You may also carry a small caseload.

This position entails active, independent responsibility for building systems and processes. To be successful, you must have prior individual contributor or leadership experience in public defense and demonstrate the ability to build programs and innovate within complex systems to continually improve client service and reduce inequities. You will also serve in an advisory capacity to the Assistant Director of Trial Services, Assistant Director of Columbus Office, and the State Public Defender.

Essential functions of the position include but aren't limited to:

• Manage negotiations for indigent defense systems serving Adams, Athens, Brown, Fayette, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Washington counties.
• Negotiate contract provisions with county officials and private attorneys.
• Work with external members of the justice system (e.g., judges and prosecutors), contract attorneys, and county commissioners.
• Recruit and place contract attorneys and monitor their compliance with all applicable ethical, professional, and legal obligations.
• Establish and sustain beneficial business relationships.
• Collaborate with agency training staff to formally assess and manage the professional development needs of contract counsel.
• Work with internal teams in Fiscal and Office Services and Legal Counsel in the review of agency personal service contracts for legal compliance and accepted contract principles.
• Assist with the assessment of current indigent defense systems: for example, review public defender offices and court-appointed counsel for legal compliance pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 120.04(B)(3) through conducting site visits; analyzing caseload and budget data; answering questions regarding Ohio Administrative Code; and recommending changes to agency standards and guidelines.

This position requires in-office time and extensive travel in the State of Ohio as well as occasional travel outside Ohio. You will have an office location in our Columbus office.

When you submit your application, please upload a Resume and a Cover Letter indicating how you are best qualified for this position and why you feel you are the best fit for the Ohio Public Defender's Office.

This Trial Services Deputy Director position is assigned to the State of Ohio's E-2 Pay Range 44. Target compensation for this position is $137,000 to $145,000.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HCM at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01; 18 months exp. as licensed attorney practicing criminal law; 6 mos. exp. or 6 mos. trg in supervisory principles & techniques. Job Skills: Executive Leadership; Attorney/Legal; Strategic Thinking; Building Trust; Decision Making; Innovation; Negotiation; Coaching.

Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a criminal background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.