Managing Assistant Public Defender - Wrongful Conviction Project

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.

The final candidate tentatively selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background 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. 

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

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).

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*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! 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.

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.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision:    A Fair Justice System.
Our Values:   Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

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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.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01; 5 yrs. exp. as licensed attorney practicing criminal law; 6 mos. exp. or 6 mos. trg in supervisory principles & techniques. Note\: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note\: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy, Building Consensus, Building Trust, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Leading Others

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.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a dedicated leader to serve as the Director of the Wrongful Conviction Project (this position is classified as a Managing Assistant Public Defender). The Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP) is dedicated to identifying, investigating, and litigating cases of actual innocence for incarcerated people in Ohio. The WCP also works to educate others on the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions.

The Project Director will be responsible for the planning, strategic direction, and management of the Project. The position will directly supervise and mentor attorneys, investigative staff, and student interns, and will also carry an independent case load. You will also be an active member of OPD’s managing leadership team, which works together on issues of cross-departmental importance and identifies issues and solutions that impact the agency's staff, culture, and client-centered service.

To be successful in this position, you will exhibit thoughtful communication, organization, leadership, team building, and decision-making skills. You must have strong analytical skills, the ability to think creatively, be adept at legal research and writing, and have demonstrated skill and expertise advocating for clients in court and arguing cases of actual innocence. You must also have the ability to handle complex cases, coordinate and motivate focused attention across a small and collaborative Project team, and the ability to partner collaboratively with innocence networks and efforts within OPD and across the nation. The position will work closely with the Deputy Director of Appellate Service and the Managing Counsels of the other five Departments within the Appellate Services Division, requiring high-level teamwork and communication skills.

Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Establish expectations and goals for the Project, including for operations and management as well as client representation, independently and in collaboration with the Deputy Director of Appellate Services.
• Conduct regular, recurring team meetings and one-on-one meetings, and foster a collaborative environment.
• Directly supervise Assistant Public Defenders, Mitigation/Investigation Specialist, and Interns (respond to questions and concerns and resolve problems; disseminate and interpret information, policies, procedures and best practices; provide coaching and training; complete timely performance reviews; serve on hiring panels)
• Oversee intake for the Project (screen and evaluate claims of wrongful conviction; assign cases to staff and establish case strategy on pending cases and act as an advisor on creating case strategies)
• Represent indigent criminal defendants with claims of innocence in Ohio courts at trial, appellate, and postconviction levels, and federal courts. Act as lead counsel on complex cases. Correspond and meet with clients and families. Conduct legal research on and interpret the most complex innocence issues.
• Manage the Project’s membership and connection to the Innocence Network.
• Lead and manage various training projects for internal staff and members of the private bar in the areas of forensic science and evidence most prevalent in cases of wrongful conviction
• Appear in public and private settings to discuss the factors that lead to wrongful conviction and advocate for clients and system reforms.
• Serve on task forces and internal committees.
• Respond to inquiries from incarcerated individuals, legislators, and the public regarding wrongful conviction and the project’s policy and procedures.
• Assist in budget preparation (e.g., prepare and provide information and statistical analysis on requests for additional staff and equipment).

The position does require in-office time\: three days a week are spent in the office and potentially other days as required to meet business needs. This role also carries its own caseload, and those duties comprise approximately 35% of this position’s responsibilities.

Please submit a cover letter and a writing sample with your application. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.

The Managing Assistant Public Defender position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E1 Pay Schedule, Pay Range 15, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; Candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth\: you move to the next step after six months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

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 us at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.