Services deputy director - system

The OPD is seeking a passionate, organized, and strategic indigent defense leader to join its executive leadership team as a Trial Services Deputy Director 4 responsible for supporting effective indigent defense delivery systems in counties throughout Ohio. You will directly negotiate with county commissioners to enact contracts for indigent defense services in their counties; work to recruit and support good government contracting processes; establish and build communications with judges and prosecutors; develop and implement new procedures; and supervise a team of three trial attorneys who are appointed to represent the most challenging cases in local systems where qualified attorneys are otherwise not available. You may also carry a small caseload.

This position entails active, independent responsibility for building systems and processes. To be successful, you must have prior individual contributor or leadership experience in public defense and demonstrate the ability to build programs and innovate within complex systems to continually improve client service and reduce inequities. You will also serve in an advisory capacity to the Assistant Director of Trial Services, Assistant Director of Columbus Office, and the State Public Defender.

Essential functions of the position include but aren’t limited to:

• Multi-county program operations:
  • Manage negotiations for indigent defense systems serving Adams, Athens, Brown, Fayette, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Washington counties.
  • Negotiate contract provisions with county officials and private attorneys.
  • Work with external members of the justice system (e.g., judges and prosecutors), contract attorneys, and county commissioners.
  • Recruit and place contract attorneys and monitor their compliance with all applicable ethical, professional, and legal obligations.
  • Establish and sustain beneficial business relationships.
  • Collaborate with agency training staff to formally assess and manage the professional development needs of contract counsel.
  • Work with internal teams in Fiscal and Office Services and Legal Counsel in the review of agency personal service contracts for legal compliance and accepted contract principles.
  • Assist with the assessment of current indigent defense systems: for example, review public defender offices and court-appointed counsel for legal compliance pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 120.04(B)(3) through conducting site visits; analyzing caseload and budget data; answering questions regarding Ohio Administrative Code; and recommending changes to agency standards and guidelines.
• Advisory capacity:
  • Assist in the formulation of policies, procedures, and administrative rules; assist with formulating, implementing, and evaluating the agency budget; assist with the evaluation of proposed and recently enacted legislation affecting agency operations.
• Personnel management:
  • Directly supervise attorneys: approve work schedules; respond to questions and concerns and resolve problems; disseminate and interpret policies and procedures and best practices; provide coaching and training, and complete timely performance reviews; succession planning and position reviews.
  • Oversee budgets and financial resources in support of the division/agency strategic initiatives and mission (e.g., approve requests for training, travel, projects, and equipment).
• Special projects and other duties:
  • Collaborate with leadership teams across the division and Columbus Office to develop onboarding and professional development programs for trial-level attorneys.
  • Render legal advice to county public defenders and members of the private bar on all matters of criminal law and the provision of representation to indigent criminal defendants.
  • Serve as an attorney-at-law to represent indigent criminal defendants in the courts across the state. May directly handle a reduced caseload; apply a high level of technical and legal skills to formulate innovative legal strategy that effectively and successfully represents indigent criminal defendants.
    
    

This position requires in-office time and extensive travel in the State of Ohio as well as occasional travel outside Ohio. You will have an office location in our Columbus office.

When you submit your application, please upload a Resume and a Cover Letter indicating how you are best qualified for this position and why you feel you are the best fit for the Ohio Public Defender’s Office.

This Trial Services Deputy Director position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-2 Pay Range 44. Target compensation for this position is $137,000 to $145,000.

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 HCM at 614-466-5394 or [email protected].

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01; 18 months exp. as licensed attorney practicing criminal law; 6 mos. exp. or 6 mos. trg in supervisory principles & techniques.

Job Skills: Executive Leadership; Attorney/Legal; Strategic Thinking; Building Trust; Decision Making; Innovation; Negotiation; Coaching.

Organization

Public Defender Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information

Tamra Meister, [email protected]

Unposting Date

Nov 2, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

$45,198 - $157,560

Schedule

Full-time

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill

Executive Leadership

Technical Skills

Attorney/Legal, Executive Leadership

Professional Skills

Building Trust, Coaching, Decision Making, Innovation, Negotiation, Strategic Thinking

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.

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