Regional Director for Client Services (10109156)

Law Offices Of The Public Defender; New Mexico; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Law Offices Of The Public Defender seeks a Regional Director for Client Services to provide management and operational oversight of district offices and units, guiding District Defenders and staff to ensure efficient operations and strong client service aligned with the agency's mission.

The role requires collaboration with the Deputy Chief Public Defender, direct leadership of staffing and training efforts, and the ability to travel to field offices as needed to support operations and

Qualifications

• Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
• Ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney, of which six (6) years must be in a management/supervisory role. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provides management and operational oversight of assigned LOPD district offices and units.
• Directs, coaches, and supports District Defenders and staff to promote efficient operations and client service.
• Oversees recruitment, hiring, compensation, and retention activities, including hiring panels and salary offers.
• Represents the DCPD and provides coverage at meetings, docket coverage, and trial support as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Caseload management

Strategic planning

Job description

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief Public Defender (DCPD), provides management and operational oversight of assigned LOPD district offices and units. Provides direction, guidance, coaching, and support to District Defenders and other managerial and supervisory staff to promote effective office operations, caseload management, staffing, including planning and conducting hiring panels, employee development, and delivery of client services consistent with LOPD's mission.

The position exercises delegated management authority over assigned offices, units, and districts and works collaboratively with District Defenders to identify operational and staffing needs, develop and implement strategies, support recruitment and retention, coordinate training and professional development, and promote consistent application of LOPD policies and practices. The position serves as a management liaison between the DCPD and District Defenders and represents or provides coverage for the DCPD and District Defenders in designated administrative, operational, and case representation or docket coverage as assigned.

Depending on the judicial district moderate to extensive travel may be required including overnight stays.

The Regional Director for Client Services shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Public Defender and be report directly to the Deputy Chief Public Defender.

This position is an appointed position by the Chief Public Defender.

Supervision and Administrative Oversight:

• This role operates under the direction of the DCPD while exercising delegated management and operational oversight of District Defenders and their respective district offices and units.
• Under the direction of the Deputy Chief Public Defender (DCPD), oversees and assists with the management of assigned LOPD district offices and units and provides direction, guidance, and operational support to District Defenders and other managerial and supervisory staff.
• Ensures assigned LOPD district offices and units comply with agency policies and applicable State and Federal laws.
• Oversees, evaluates, coaches, and guides District Defenders and other assigned managerial and supervisory staff in the management and development of assigned LOPD district offices and units.
• Advises and assists District Defenders and managerial/supervisory staff in resolving low-level disciplinary matters and grievances and coordinates with the DCPD on matters requiring higher-level review or intervention.
• Provides direction, training, and consultation to District Defenders regarding office administrative functions, including but not limited to office and support staff organization, utilization of FTE and classifications, reclassification, workflow, and case management efficiency to best support LOPD clients and mission.
• Monitors caseloads for assigned district offices and units and works with District Defenders and managerial and supervisory staff to identify coverage needs, allocate available resources, and secure caseload coverage.
• Oversees and collaborates with District Defenders on recruitment, hiring, compensation, and retention activities, including but not limited to reviewing applicant lists, scheduling interviews, leading hiring panels, requesting salary offers, extending offers, and reviewing Temporary Salary Increase (TSI) requests.
• Collaborates with and provides guidance to District Defenders in onboarding new attorneys and coordinating ongoing attorney training for assigned LOPD district offices and units.
• Collaborates with the Attorney Training and Recruitment Director on new training and recruitment programs and initiatives, including training and/or supervising participants in the new skills based pathway program.
• Provides management and administrative coverage for the DCPD and/or District Defenders as assigned, including timesheet approvals within SHARE.
• Represents or provides coverage for the DCPD at Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and serves as the DCPD’s designee at any other criminal legal partner meetings, as needed.
• Attends meetings with Judges in collaboration with District Defenders and represents or provides coverage for the DCPD and/or District Defenders as assigned.
• Provides in-person or virtual docket coverage on behalf of the DCPD and/or District Defenders as operational needs require.
• Accepts case assignments in district offices as needed to support client representation.
• Serves as second chair at trials on behalf of or in support of the DCPD and/or District Defenders as assigned.

Program Planning & Implementation:

• Travels to work with all LOPD district offices and units, with the goal of spending 50% of their time in the field to provide consistent leadership presence, support the District Defender and office operations, and foster communication and collaboration.
• Assists with the establishment, implementation, and continuous improvement of the LOPD’s policies, procedures, programs and organizational structures for district offices and units.
• Establishes interim goals and objectives for assigned district offices and units.
• Keeps informed of current issues, best practices, and trends to ensure efficient and effective client representation and LOPD operations.
• Under the direction of the DCPD and in collaboration with District Defenders, determines future needs of assigned LOPD district offices and units and develops effective strategies for addressing identified needs.

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney, of which six (6) years must be in a management/supervisory role.Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Collective Bargaining: This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.