Civil Rights Division, Conviction Review Manager

ABOUT THE ORLEANS PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (OPDA):

Jason Rogers Williams took office as the Orleans Parish District Attorney on January 11, 2021, and is building a 21st-century prosecutors' office with a team of the best and brightest lawyers from around the country and a mission of being as smart on crime as the office has historically been tough on crime. It is the mission of OPDA to increase public safety through the ethical, consistent, and zealous enforcement of the law.

JOB SUMMARY:

OPDA's Civil Rights Division reviews post-conviction cases. The grant-funded conviction review manager will investigate wrongful conviction applications in Orleans Parish with a focus on DNA evidence, and will be in charge of grant-related deliverables. In cases where innocence is not indicated through testing, OPDA's closing of unsuccessful post-conviction review requests will assure victims and the public that justice has fairly served.

REPORTS TO:

Chief of Civil Rights Division

CLASSIFICATION:

Full-Time, Exempt

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

The conviction review manager will:

• Screen known and new cases
• Retrieve case records to verify whether forensic evidence testing will be probative
• Work with a CODIS-approved lab to conduct forensic analysis
• Cooperate with other Orleans Parish agencies to expenditure their DNA testing-involved caseloads
• Appear in court on behalf of OPDA in DNA post-conviction cases
• Maintain OPDA's database concerning DNA cases
• Work closely with all division staff
• Track and communicate relevant data analyses and any policy implications to OPDA leadership and its fellow law enforcement agencies, so that any lessons learned may assist in the broader project goal of building community trust in our justice system.

This list is intended to outline key duties and responsibilities, but is not exhaustive. The conviction review manager may be required to perform other support functions as assigned to meet the needs of OPDA.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong attention to detail and high concern for accuracy
• Comfort with technology and utilization of case management system
• Ability to perform in-person, office-based work
• Dependability in both attendance and work product
• Criminal litigation experience (preference for post-conviction, habeas corpus, and/or federal civil rights litigation, and experience in conducting post-conviction factual re-investigations)
• Working knowledge of DNA and/or other forensic disciplines preferred
• Commitment to seeking justice

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary is commensurate with experience ($80,000 - $90,000). New hires may be eligible for:

• Enrollment in the City of New Orleans health insurance plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 6.44 hours of sick leave and no fewer than 6.44 hours of vacation leave per month (6.44 hours per month = approximately 10 days per year)
• Paid parental leave
• Enrollment in the City of New Orleans Retirement System (non- attorneys) or District Attorneys Retirement System (attorneys)
• Enrollment in the Louisiana Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Life insurance plan
• A generous paid holiday schedule

EEO STATEMENT:

OPDA is an equal-opportunity employer. The office values a diverse workforce and management reflective of the communities that it serves. OPDA adheres to a policy of making employment, promotion, and other personnel decisions without regard to race, culture, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, caregiver status, citizenship, age, or disability or other legally protected status.

Salary

• $80,000 - $90,000