What are the responsibilities and job description for the Managing Assistant Public Defender - Wrongful Conviction Project position at State of Ohio?
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:
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.
FY25 Pay Range
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Hourly
$41.23 $43.55 $46.01 $48.54 $51.23 $54.04 $56.26 $58.91
Annual
$85,758 $90,584 $95,701 $100,963 $106,558 $112,403 $117,021 $122,533
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.
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
Organization
Public Defender Commission
Agency Contact Name and Information
Joshua Barton, joshua.barton@opd.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Feb 13, 2025, 4:59:00 AM
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus
Compensation
$85,758 - $122,533
Schedule
Full-time
Classified Indicator
Unclassified
Union
Exempt from Union
Primary Job Skill
Attorney/Legal
Technical Skills
Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy
Professional Skills
Building Consensus, Building Trust, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Leading Others
Agency Overview
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.
Follow OPD on Facebook , LinkedIn , Instagram , and Threads | Visit our Website
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).
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.
FY25 Pay Range
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Hourly
$41.23 $43.55 $46.01 $48.54 $51.23 $54.04 $56.26 $58.91
Annual
$85,758 $90,584 $95,701 $100,963 $106,558 $112,403 $117,021 $122,533
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.
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
Organization
Public Defender Commission
Agency Contact Name and Information
Joshua Barton, joshua.barton@opd.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Feb 13, 2025, 4:59:00 AM
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus
Compensation
$85,758 - $122,533
Schedule
Full-time
Classified Indicator
Unclassified
Union
Exempt from Union
Primary Job Skill
Attorney/Legal
Technical Skills
Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy
Professional Skills
Building Consensus, Building Trust, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Leading Others
Agency Overview
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.
Follow OPD on Facebook , LinkedIn , Instagram , and Threads | Visit our Website
Salary : $41 - $59
