Job Opening:
The Legal Defender Office of Summit County, Ohio, Inc. is seeking to fill the position of: Director
The Legal Defender Office of Summit County, Ohio, Inc. (“LDO”) provides legal representation services in criminal proceedings to adults charged with misdemeanors and juveniles accused of a crime who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The Legal Defender Office of Summit County, Ohio, Inc. is governed by the Summit County Public Defender Commission (“SCPDC”). The successful candidate will be an employee of the LDO, a non-profit corporation.
Director Search
The Summit County Public Defender Commission is initiating a search for the position of Director to serve as the chief executive officer of the LDO, reporting directly to the SCPDC.
Position Summary:
The role of Director of the LDO is to provide direction, leadership and resources in order to ensure that the mission of the LDO is achieved through the collective efforts of the LDO staff.
The Director is the senior administrator of the LDO and is responsible for the daily administration of the LDO. The Director is responsible for the implementation of policies set by the SCPDC pursuant to Chapter 120 of the Ohio Revised Code set forth by the Ohio Public Defender’s Standards and Guidelines for County Public Defenders. The Director provides organizational leadership and participates in the SCPDC’s formulation of mission, goals, objectives, and related policies and procedures. The Director organizes, coordinates, controls, and directs the staff, programs, and activities of the LDOSC.
The Director is responsible for the operation of the LDO office, hiring and firing, determining staff salaries and duties. The Director maintains minutes of the SCPDC meetings, reports to the SCPDC, and implements SCPDC policy. In addition, the Director supervises expenditures; signs contracts as authorized; and functions as a spokesperson, when required, for the LDO. The Director represents the LDO at various public events.
The Director serves as the LDO statutory agent. It is the responsibility of the Director to ensure that the LDO meets all local, state, and federal legal requirements for the conduct of business and affairs of the LDO. The Director is also responsible for ensuring that the LDO operates within the established Bylaws.
The Director serves as the chief liaison between the LDO and all courts and other legal and government offices, businesses and all other entities with which the LDO interacts.
Qualifications for the LDO Director
• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of legal experience practicing in the area of criminal law.
• Significant jury trial experience in the area of criminal law.
• Prior supervisory/management experience.
• Effective experience in managing, directing and delegating responsibilities, and the ability to personally handle all of the functions necessary to run an organization.
• Experience in developing and managing collaborative relationships with other organizations that have missions complementary to and supportive of the LDO and its mission.
• Effective presentation, public speaking, communication and media relation skills, with experience in addressing diverse groups.
• Demonstrated positive relationships among persons and groups with whom the LDO will have frequent contact.
• Competency in the use of electronic communication and other office management technology.
• Willingness to travel as required in fulfilling responsibilities.
Interested Candidates
Those interested in becoming a candidate for the LDO Director position are to respond by email to the LDO Search Committee at: [email protected].
Please include your cover letter, curriculum vitae/resume, salary history and compensation requirements and contact information for at least three professional references by August 14, 2020. Please be sure to provide an email address for communication purposes. Please no phone calls.
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule:
• Monday to Friday
Work Location:
• One location
Work Remotely:
• As needed
Salary:
• Salary will be dependent upon experience. Minimum starting salary of $84,000.00/annually.
LEGAL DEFENDER OFFICE OF SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO, INC.
Job Title: Director
Reports to: Summit County Public Defender Commission
Date: July 2020
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary: Negotiable based upon experience
PERS: No
General Purpose:
The primary purpose of this position is to provide direction, leadership, and resources in order to ensure that the mission of the Legal Defender Office of Summit County, Ohio, Inc. (“LDO” or “Agency”) is achieved through the collective efforts of the LDO employees. This position is directly responsible to the Summit County Public Defender Commission (the “Commission” or “SCPDC”) for the overall management of the business and affairs of the Agency, including the execution and implementation of policies and procedures as established by the Commission and the Ohio Public Defender.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
● Supervises Attorneys, Interns and Support Staff.
● Provides financial oversight for the Legal Defender’s Office.
● Prepares annual budgets and reviews health insurance options.
● Reports quarterly to Summit County Public Defender Commission as to operations, caseload statistics, personnel changes, specialty court programs, and other significant matters including but not limited to financial and budgetary needs, client and/or employee complaints.
● Negotiates contracts with Summit County, City of Akron and all municipalities in Summit County and attends Akron and Summit County Council meetings to review and explain budget requests and operations.
● Reviews and supervises preparation of monthly financial and caseload report to be submitted to Summit County and Ohio Public Defender Office to obtain re-imbursement to Summit County.
● Assists staff attorneys with legal issues, court relations, interoffice relations, and client relations.
● Deals with client complaints and conflict cases.
● Serves on boards of various specialty courts in Summit County.
● Assists attorneys in Appellate cases.
● Carries minimal caseload consisting of difficult clients, conflict cases and assists during vacations and fills in as needed when shorthanded, as well as sitting Second or Lead chair with inexperienced lawyers or on serious Jury Trial matters.
● Assists with the development, training and mentoring of new and experienced lawyers in the Legal Defender’s Office.
● Establishes organizational goals, plans and strategies in order to achieve the Agency’s mission; ensures that activities, initiatives and expenditures support the mission of the Agency; with staff and SCPDC input, prioritizes Agency activities; ensures operating results are clearly and consistently communicated to staff members and the SCPDC.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Behavioral Competencies: This position requires incumbents to exhibit the following behavioral skills:
Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of clients; creates an atmosphere where excellent customer service is expected.
Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing. Demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.
Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work. Understands that supervision is provided by the SCPDC and that the SCPDC must be kept apprised of the status of the Agency and provided information in a timely manner.
Leadership: Provides direction by clearly and effectively setting course of action for the LDO and subordinates; manages performance by providing regular feedback and reinforcement to all employees. Must be able to lead by example.
Job Competencies:
Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations with regard to criminal law; understanding of LDO’s strategic goals and structure; familiarity with LDO employment policies. Ability to guide, mentor, train and develop inexperienced lawyers. Ability to manage the LDO office from a personnel and business standpoint. Must be able to effectively interact with the SCPDC, various courts and judges, clients, various offices, political figures, vendors, and all others who might come in contact with the LDO.
Education, Experience and Certifications:
Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school; minimum of seven (7) years of legal experience practicing in the area of criminal law; significant jury trial experience in the area of criminal law; prior supervisory/management experience is preferred.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be competent in the usage of e-mail, internet, legal research software and word processing software. Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to maintain a stationary position, operate computers and other office equipment, move about the office, attend onsite and offsite meetings, and communicate. The employee may also travel throughout Summit County and Ohio as needed. The employee must be able to accurately exchange information in person, in writing and via e-mail and telephone.
Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:
Office, various courts and offices. Moderate noise level.
Employee Understanding:
The above job description was received, read and understood by me.
____________________________ ________________
Employee’s signature Date
____________________________ ________________
Supervisor’s signature Date
Interested Candidates
Those interested in becoming a candidate for the LDO Director position are to respond by email to the LDO Search Committee at: [email protected].
Please include your cover letter, curriculum vitae/resume, salary history and compensation requirements and contact information for at least three professional references by August 14, 2020. Please be sure to provide an email address for communication purposes. Please no phone calls.
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