Intake Assistant Public Defender - Wrongful Conviction Project

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 (OPD) is seeking a dedicated attorney to serve as an Intake Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP), Appellate Services Division.  The Intake APD serves the critical role of overseeing the WCP's intake process.  This involves evaluating applications for assistance, identifying potential innocence claims, and preparing cases for investigation and litigation. You will join a motivated, highly collaborative project team.

The WCP is dedicated to identifying, investigating, and litigating cases of actual innocence for incarcerated people in Ohio. The Project also works to educate others on the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions and advocates for policy reform.

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a passionate commitment to social justice and the goals, mission, and values of the WCP and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. To be successful in the position, you will\: have exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills; value working in a collaborative environment; possess superior skills in organization, planning, and attention to detail; have strong interpersonal skills; have the ability to communicate in a compassionate yet direct manner; and possess computer literacy, preferably experience with case management tools and searchable databases.

The essential job duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Receive applications, letters, and phone calls from people who are incarcerated and are applying to have their case reviewed
• Communicate with individuals who are incarcerated and their advocates to gather necessary information and ensures questionnaires are completed
• Perform standard review of legal factors such as length of sentence, innocence claim, exhaustion of appeals, current representation, and state of residence. If case factors are not exclusionary, assist in making merit evaluation regarding the prospect of being litigated as an innocence claim
• Prepare written summaries of findings and communicate with other staff regarding status
• Prepare and send letters and explanations of legal issues, close factors, status updates, or further options when necessary
• Work closely with Paralegal to coordinate opening and closing of physical and online case management system files, and ensure data is consistently and accurately collected
• Revise and update intake procedures to improve efficiencies; explore and implement improvements in the use of technology or other systems; identify tools and methods to increase availability of meaningful data
• Assign cases to law students and/or Project staff in consultation with Managing Counsel
• Supervise law students and undergraduate interns in completion of intake assignments and case review
• Assist in recruiting and training student interns and volunteers
• Review cases for potential innocence claims, including in-depth file review and field investigation
• Represent indigent criminal defendants in state and federal courts and work as co-counsel on criminal cases at the appellate and post-conviction level

**In your application, please upload and attach a cover letter and writing sample. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.**

Starting pay for this position 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 180 days 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 the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

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.

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.

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
 

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 4705.01.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Coaching; Organizing and Planning; Verbal Communication; Written Communication; and Analyzation

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).

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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