The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) is seeking a Director of Public Defense Recruitment and Retention. In recent years, public defense offices have been growing, due in large part to increased state funding and efforts to reduce caseloads and improve the quality of representation. NYSDA is establishing a statewide program to address the increasing demand for public defense attorneys and team members. The Director, along with a program specialist, will lead a coordinated, structured effort to recruit, hire, train, and develop current and future generations of public defenders and public defense team members. NYSDA anticipates adding additional staff for the program in future years.
NYSDA, a not-for-profit, membership organization, has been providing support to New York's public defense community since 1967. NYSDA’s mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to people who cannot afford counsel. NYSDA operates the state’s Public Defense Backup Center, which provides legal support services, training programs, its Public Defense Case Management System, and other services to public defense offices and assigned counsel attorneys throughout the state. NYSDA offers high quality training to public defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and other members of the public defense team. The Backup Center is instrumental in assisting defenders around the state to advance quality representation in criminal and family court cases.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Develops and fosters relationships with law schools in New York and around the country to establish and build the next generation of public defense attorneys and leaders in offices throughout New York
• Develops and fosters relationships with relevant law school clinics (public interest, family defense, criminal defense, innocence, and similar practice areas) and career services professionals
• Gathers information about what law students seek and value in employment and employers
• Provides education to law students, law student groups, law clinics, professors, and administrators about public defense careers in New York
• Conducts outreach to relevant undergraduate and graduate college and university programs regarding public defense careers, including the following positions: attorneys, investigators, social workers, paralegals, discovery specialists, and mitigation specialists
• Conducts outreach to state, local, and specialty bar associations and similar professional associations regarding public defense careers
• Builds relationships with public defense offices in New York and helps to identify recruitment needs and retention challenges
• Collaborates with public defense offices that request recruitment and retention support
• Assists public defense offices to develop internship programs for law students and other students; develop effective hiring practices; and develop a positive and supportive office culture
• Centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in all recruitment and retention work
• Attends local, regional, and national recruitment/career fairs and conferences to promote public defense careers in New York
• Assists New York public defense offices to participate in recruitment/career fairs
• Organizes New York public defense career fairs, as needed
• Develops and maintains a public defense career platform connected to NYSDA’s website
• Establishes programs to promote peer support and wellness, such as young public defender groups and mentorships
• Coordinates with NYSDA’s training team to offer training programs that support recruitment and retention, including training on leadership development and management skills
• Keeps current on trends in public defense recruitment and retention
• Implements and maintains effective data collection, analysis, and reporting mechanisms to gauge recruitment and retention effectiveness
• Assists with hiring of and provides direct supervision to program staff
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Deputy Director
• Admitted to practice law (admission to practice/eligible to seek admission to practice in New York is preferred but not required)
• Experience with recruitment and hiring in the legal profession
• Alignment with NYSDA’s mission to improve the quality of representation in criminal and family defense
• Enthusiasm for promoting public defense careers
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess needs
• Experience organizing events and training programs
• Experience using Microsoft software, Adobe, online communication tools, and social media platforms
• Ability to prepare and present to small and large groups
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws
• Ability to travel to public defense offices in New York State, including locations that do not have public transportation
• Ability to travel to law schools and career events in and out of New York State
NYSDA’s main office is in Albany, NY. Applicants must work in Albany or work a hybrid schedule (working remotely from within New York State or an adjoining state and attending in-person meetings in Albany). The position involves travel and some evening and weekend hours.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Deputy Director Natalie Brocklebank at [email protected] (subject line: Director of Public Defense Recruitment and Retention). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Expected start date: Summer 2024.