Clerk Messenger

Make a difference! Become a Defender!

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking a highly organized, professional, and reliable Clerk Messenger for our prison services within our Municipal Court Pretrial Unit (MCPTU). MCPTU focuses on reducing mass incarceration by supporting clients before trial through a wide array of rehabilitative initiatives and programs to divert clients from incarceration. This dynamic role serves as the logistical support and on-site liaison for our attorneys working inside the prison. The mission is to ensure our attorneys have the critical legal files they need to represent our clients and to build and maintain professional relationships with prison staff to facilitate our work. If you are independent, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are driven by mission-oriented work, we encourage you to apply.

What You’ll Do

• Maintain Defender Association office at CFCF Prison. Ensure that the office is stocked with materials necessary to conduct prison interviewing and that technology is working appropriately.
• Work closely with prison staff and our attorneys, communicating effectively to ensure that all clients scheduled to be interviewed are brought down and are seen by an attorney
• Ensure all interviews completed at the prison are printed, placed in the file, files are marked, notes are inputted into our client database and interviews are uploaded to our database.
• Communicate in real time with Prison Services / Early Bail Review regarding interviewing status, transfers, refusals, and add-ons and cancellations
• Communicate with clients regarding wait times and rescheduling
• Access information from our client databases for interviewing attorneys and maintain USD drives for interviewing
• Check that all files have necessary and up to date paperwork before handing out to attorneys to be interviewed.
• Manage the flow of client files at the prison and within the office
• Work with MCPTU / Prison Services staff at the Defender Association to compile the list of clients scheduled for prison interviewing the next day, check custody status using ATIMS and maintain prison interview files according to facility name and court date
• Serve as back up to other administrative staff in the Unit to provide coverage in their absence
• Drive to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility each day M-F by 7:30am with Defender Association files to be interviewed
• Assist in the collection and review of all outgoing prison mail, sort by specific institution and stamp mail. Re-route other mail as required
• Assist with the delivery of Defender mail to all Philadelphia County Prison institutions and pick up mail being returned to the Defender Association
• Communicate with the Chief, MCPTU concerning attendance, tardiness and other violations of Defender personnel policy by Defender staff, while at the prison assigned to prison interviewing
• Perform other duties as assigned

What You’ll Need

• High school diploma/GED, required; Bachelor’s degree, preferred
• Previous administrative experience, preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer programs
• Excellent written and communication skills, especially with clients
• Enjoy working collaboratively
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, ability to mulit-task and prioritize
• Requires daily travel between the Defender office and CFCF prison
• May have to lift to 25 pounds
• Employment is contingent upon a background check consistent with the Defender's policies and applicable law. A prior conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant: relevant factors will be considered in accordance with legal requirements and the nature of the position.

Benefits & Perks

• Generous and rich benefits plan including choice of affordable medical plans, and employer paid: dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability insurance and professional liability insurance
• Substantial paid time off- close to 35 days off plus all federal holidays
• Retirement Savings Employer Match
• Paid parental leave
• Free Septa Anywhere Key Card
• Public Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer
• Meaningful Work
• Wellness Benefits
• Ongoing Training and Development of You

Who is the Defender Association?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers.

The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Come join our team! For more information, go Defender’s Pretrial Unit and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn.