You will lead and manage legislative efforts and provide counsel and advice to agency leadership regarding legislation and legislative activities. You will also provide legal counsel and advice to agency leadership and appointing authority.
The position reports to the Agency Counsel and is part of the Policy and Outreach Division. This division serves as the main point of contact for county indigent defense systems, oversees reimbursement to the counties, and is responsible for the agency’s work with media, social media, legislation, training, social science research, administrative policy, legal services, and overall agency outreach.
Your duties will include but are not limited to:
- Legislative: Meets regularly with agency staff to identify agency priorities & develop & implement plans related to legislative activities; Serves as lead liaison between government officials, special interest groups, & general public to explain programs & policies; Researches existing & proposed federal, state, & local legislation for potential impact; Monitors movement of legislation through legislative process; Meets with legislators and legislative staff; drafts proposed legislation, testimony, analyses, and other documents used in legislative efforts; Develops relationships with key legislators and their staffs/committee staffs & stakeholders to effectively promote public defense legislative and policy priorities; Ensures the agency’s lobbying activities adhere to laws/policies regarding ethical and professional conduct; Provides direction & training to agency staff in the area of legislation/lobbying.
- Public affairs: Coordinates the development and dissemination of educational & informational materials reflecting agency legislative activities and priorities to both OPD employees & external parties (e.g. county public defenders); Represents agency on external coalitions & workgroups; appears for agency on policy or public affairs issues; participates in various internal work groups as assigned.
- Contract reviews: Conducts legal reviews of agency contracts; draft & review contracts between the Ohio Public Defender & other organizations providing indigent defense delivery for legal compliance and accepted contract principals; work with agency Fiscal Department to ensure compliance with state laws, rules, regulations, and internal agency practices.
- Public records: Conducts legal reviews of received public records requests; reviews record requests received across the agency; identifies and researches relevant rules, code and law; provides guidance to agency employees; communicates with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and other experts as needed.
This position does require in-office hours. You will be eligible for a hybrid schedule: at-home hours are available on average 2 days a week, depending on job duties and needs. The position requires independent and collaborative work.
To be a successful candidate you will have:
- Knowledge of Ohio’s indigent defense system, be highly skilled in verbal and written communication, excel in collaboration and teamwork, have a passion and demonstrated skill for legislative advocacy, and be motivated to assist and support Ohio’s indigent defense services.
- Demonstrated success working in a team environment to problem-solve and brainstorm to find solutions that best serve agency personnel and clients. We are seeking candidates with experience and knowledge in administrative law, contract law, and the demonstrated ability to quickly research and assess risk and benefits.
This position is a mixed classification position, Liaison Officer 2 and Attorney 4. The following are the minimum qualifications for this position:
12 mos. exp. as Liaison Officer 1, 63511. -Or 3 yrs. exp. as legislative aide or page. -Or completion of undergraduate core program in English, communication, journalism or political science; 2 yrs. exp. handling legislative &/or public affairs for government agency. -Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 12 mos. exp. as licensed attorney; 6 mos. exp. in employee training & development.