Trial Services Deputy Director - Trial Office Management and Support at Ohio Department of Administrative Services

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Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Jan, 26

Salary

145000.0

Posted On

17 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Executive Leadership, Attorney/Legal, Building Trust, Developing Others, Decision Making, Collaboration, Innovation, Coaching, Strategic Thinking

Industry

Government Administration

Description

The OPD is seeking a passionate, organized, and strategic indigent defense leader to join its executive leadership team as a Trial Services Deputy Director 4 responsible for effective office and personnel operations. You will lead the directors of four county offices across Ohio (Ross, Trumbull, Athens and Washington counties) to ensure the sustainability and quality of work environments, employee experience, and client service provision. You will set a clear and strategic vision for the county office teams, ensuring everyone understands the goals and their role in achieving them. You will implement retention and professional development programs; coordinate strategic trial litigation; advise the director and assistant directors in legal, operational, and administrative matters; and build a culture of client-centered collaboration and communication. 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, and may carry a small caseload. This position entails active, independent responsibility for performance development and personnel management. To be successful, you must have prior leadership experience in public defense, and demonstrate the abilities to coach people, to proactively build and reinforce trust among staff, even during times of conflict, to innovatively use resources, and to collaborate with others to identify and implement solutions. Essential functions of the position include but aren’t limited to: Manage operations: Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings to provide support, discuss challenges, and monitor the performance and development of managers. Provide feedback, recognition, and support. Identify areas for improvement and provide and help develop training opportunities. Cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment where open communication is encouraged. Identify tools and information the staff need to meet goals and ensure those are available to and understood by staff. Travel regularly to county offices to provide in-person support and training. Allocate resources based on project requirements, client needs, and external demands. Develop original and innovative solutions for current service delivery and staffing issues. Work closely with Human Resources Department to ensure teams stay current with best practices and various responsibilities under rules and policies. Work with Office Directors, Social Work Supervisor, and Assistant Director to develop and implement collaborative defense models in offices. Recruitment, Retention, and Development: Lead pipeline initiatives to connect with candidates (for example: pursue opportunities to host externs and interns; organize outreach and presence at Law School campuses and classrooms). Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive onboarding for new staff. Work with directors, supervisors, and training staff to implement new programming and create procedures and policies. Evaluate efforts and outcomes and work to continually improve efforts. Implement a variety of innovative methods to coach and develop attorney and non-attorney staff. Advisory capacity: 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. Supervision: Directly supervise 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 complete timely performance reviews; succession planning and position reviews. Oversee budgets and financial resources in support of the division/agency strategic initiatives and mission (e.g., approve requests for training, travel, projects, and equipment). Special projects and other duties: 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. 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. 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. 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; Building Trust; Developing Others; Decision Making; Collaboration; Innovation; Coaching; Strategic Thinking;

Responsibilities

The Trial Services Deputy Director will manage operations across four county offices, ensuring effective personnel management and quality client service. This role includes developing strategic visions, implementing professional development programs, and advising on legal and operational matters.