Holistic Defense Training Administrator

Overview

The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate individual with a commitment to public defense to fill a position as our Holistic Defense Training Administrator.

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative individuals with a strong commitment to public defense to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend. 

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we defend and communities that we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change. 

Responsibilities

The Holistic Defense Training Administrator will be responsible for the logistics of BxD’s internal and external training engagements. The Administrator will report to the Director of Holistic Defense and Training and work closely with members of the leadership team to support cross-practice communication and coordination in training efforts. The Administrator will also provide direct support to the Director of Holistic Defense and Training, the Managing Director of Administration, the Center for Holistic Defense, and BxD’s Training Directors.

CLEs, CEUs, and Certifications 

• In coordination with the Director of Holistic Defense and Training, develop a system to manage and issue timely and accurate attendance certifications for Bronx Defender-hosted trainings,
• Ensure accurate and timely CLE and CEU documentation is submitted by Training Directors
• Ensure availability of trainings to meet New York State CLE requirements for newly admitted and experienced BxD attorneys
• Manage the administration of BxD’s accredited provider status for New York State CLE and CEU programs, and our archive of course and CLE documentation and resources
• Coordinate the tracking of BxD attorneys' registration status and timely follow up to ensure re-registrations within established deadlines. Support the implementation of an automated tracking and notification system as required of both attorney registration and CLE credit completion 

Internal Trainings 

• Coordinate and manage the training logistics for onboarding and Holistic Defense Orientation for all new staff
• Develop, update and maintain office-wide communication and calendaring of trainings and professional development opportunities relevant to our work
• Track BxD trainings and attendance at trainings
• Coordinate logistics for office trainings
• Gather feedback for office trainings 

Shadowing Coordination 

• Develop and coordinate shadowing opportunity logistics for all staff to shadow practices and projects throughout the office 

External Trainings 

• Coordinate and manage logistics of annual Defenders Academy program, and any other similar future programing
• Coordinate with finance to manage budget and finances related to trainings
• Attend conferences, trainings, and other external events relevant to BxD’s work, as requested
• Coordinate and track BxD’s participation and attendance in external conferences, panels, and other speaking opportunities
• Assist with booking conference registration, accommodations and travel for staff attending conferences and trainings 

Center for Holistic Defense (CHD) 

• Coordinate meetings and engagements between CHD training sites and BxD staff
• Prepare training materials
• Conduct CHD site research and administer pre- and post-training surveys
• Respond to CHD inquiries by providing information and connections to resources
• Track engagements between BxD staff and other defenders in our database to support CHD grant reporting
• Participate in panel facilitation
• Maintain Holistic Resource Training Library 

Administrative Support 

• Attend and take minutes at Training Director and related meetings
• Support administrative needs of Director of Holistic Defense and Training
• Code reimbursements and credit card expenses to appropriate contracts for finance department
• Assist with tracking staff professional development approvals, use, and balances

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate: 

• Commitment to supporting the defense of indigent, system-involved individuals in the Bronx community
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities 
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively
• Ability to multitask, maintain order, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment 
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings
• Ability to become a licensed notary within 3 months of employment, with all relevant fees paid by The Bronx Defenders
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level 

This is an in-person position subject to the organization’s hybrid work policies.

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 2-10 years of directly relevant experience, the annual salary range for this position would be approximately $62,930 to $80,284 or $5,000 above our administrative salary scale. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided if an offer is extended.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit. 

This position is non-exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to overtime, whereas exempt employees are not.  

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume and separately upload a video or audio statement. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume is up to date. Please note that applications without a written cover letter or audio/video statement will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2025. Please contact Keith Baumann, Director of Holistic Defense and Training, at keithb@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position. 

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating a workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value both lived and professional experience, and we particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community.

Salary : $62,930 - $80,284