INDIANA PUBLIC DEFENDER COUNCIL
Indianapolis, IN
Position: ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Assistant Executive Director assists the Executive Director in managing the agency and:
• carrying out the policies set by the Board of Directors;
• hiring, developing, and supervising staff;
• overseeing developing the budget and fiscal management of the agency; and
• working with local, state, and national criminal justice agencies and organizations to improve indigent defense in Indiana;
It is anticipated that the Assistant Executive Director will become the Executive Director in July of 2018, upon the retirement of the current Executive Director.
Preferred Knowledge and Experience
Applicants with the following knowledge and experience are preferred:
• ten years of relevant experience;
• knowledge of the history of public defense in Indiana;
• grant writing experience;
• experience working with a Board of Directors;
• experience developing and overseeing organizational or governmental budgets; and
• experience in legislative drafting and advocacy.
Salary is negotiable, dependent upon experience, with state employee benefits.
The Indiana Public Defender Council (Council) is an independent judicial branch state agency. The mission of the Council is to improve legal representation provided at public expense in state courts in Indiana. The Council fulfills its mission by providing: (1) training; (2) publications; (3) research; (4) consultation on strategy and tactics; (5) sentencing and mitigation support; (6) technical assistance on office automation and information systems; and (7) liaison contact with the General Assembly, study commissions, organizations and governmental entities.
The activities of the Council are directed by an eleven (11) member board of directors, ten (10) of whom shall be elected by the entire membership of the council. The public defender of Indiana is also a member of its board of directors by statute.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The Assistant Executive Director should possess the following attributes, knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• passion, courage, and commitment to work towards improvement of the public defense system;
• be a person of demonstrable integrity;
• experience and expertise with legislative and policy advocacy;
• credibility with public defense practitioners,
• effective at public and private diplomacy;
• effectively manage the stress and frustration that comes with the work of social change.
• an attorney admitted to practice in any state or a willingness to sit for the Indiana bar or move for admission;
• ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing;
• ability to create an atmosphere of cooperation, professional growth, and unity;
• knowledge and appreciation of the variety of public defense systems in the country and Indiana;
• knowledge of the substantive and procedural law re: criminal, juvenile, civil commitment, CHINS and TPR cases;
• ability to supervise and provide an office leadership role, including the ability to delegate tasks and authority, as appropriate;
• recognize and analyze personnel issues within the framework of a policies and procedures manual and the law.
How to Apply
Applicants are expected to submit:
• a letter expressing in detail your interest in the position, your qualifications, and what you hope to contribute to IPDC’s future;
• a current resume;
• the names and contact information for three professional references (both people you’ve supervised and who have supervised you)
Mail or email application materials to:
Assistant Executive Director Search
Indiana Public Defender Council
309 W. Washington St., Suite 401
Indianapolis, IN 46204
[email protected]
Applications will be considered until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by April 15, 2017. IPDC expects to interview applicants in May, and make a hiring decision in June. It is expected that the successful applicant will join the organization as the Assistant Executive Director no later than September 1, 2017.