The OPD is seeking a passionate, organized, and strategic indigent defense leader to join its executive leadership team as our Trial Services Regional Director. The position will report to the Trial Services Director and assist in leading personnel management and operations in our Trial Services Division, which provides client-centered representation to indigent clients facing criminal charges in county, state, and federal courts. You will manage our Multi-County Program, our Trumbull County Program, and our Columbus-based Trial Team. Our Multi-County Program covers Adams, Athens, Brown, Fayette, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Washington counties; you will work with external members of the justice system (judges and prosecutors, for example), contractors, and county commissioners as well as internal Fiscal and Office Services staff. Your direct reports will include Trumbull County Office Director and three trial attorneys providing trial representation in counties all across Ohio. To be successful, you will have prior leadership experience in public defense and will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, to connect employees to a shared mission, vision and values, and to innovate within complex systems to continually improve client service and reduce inequities. Essential functions of the position include but aren’t limited to: Responsible for the planning, strategic direction and oversight of regional services (e.g., negotiate contract provisions with county officials and private attorneys; recruit and place contract attorneys, and monitor their compliance with all applicable ethical, professional, and legal obligations; establish and sustain beneficial business relationships). Assist Assistant Director of Trial Services, the Chief Fiscal Officer and Policy ,and Outreach Division in the review of agency personal service contracts for legal compliance and accepted contract principles, assists in the assessment of current indigent defense systems, reviews public defender offices and appointed counsel for legal compliance pursuant to O.R.C. 120.04(B)(3) (e.g., site visits, analysis of caseload and budget data); answer questions regarding O.A.C. Assists 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, analysis of caseload and budget data; answer questions regarding Ohio Administrative Code and recommend changes to agency standards and guidelines. Assist in the formulation of policies, procedures and administrative rules; assist with formulating, implementing, and evaluating the agency budget; assist with the evaluation of proposed and recently enacted legislation affecting agency operations. Directly supervise managers and trial attorneys: approve work schedules; respond to questions and concerns and resolve problems; disseminate and interpret policies and procedures and best practices; provide coaching and training, and completes timely performance reviews; succession planning and position reviews. Oversee regional budgets and financial resources in support of the division/agency strategic initiatives and mission (e.g., approve training and travel requests, major project and equipment requests). Render legal advice to county public defenders and members of the private bar on all matters of criminal law and the provision of representation to indigent criminal defendants. Serve as an attorney-at-law to represent indigent criminal defendants in the courts across the state. May directly handle a reduced caseload; apply a high level of technical and legal skills to formulate innovative legal strategy that effectively and successfully represents indigent criminal defendants. 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, and have the opportunity for occasional work-from-home. 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 at the Ohio Public Defender’s Office. The Trial Services Regional Director position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-2 Pay Range 44. 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.

Apply

Please complete application and attach cover letter & resume at this link: https://dasstateoh.taleo.net/careersection/oh_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=24000C3F&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York