Regional Defender

Agency

Indigent Defense Services

Division

Indigent Defense Services Division

Job Classification Title

Regional Defender (NS)

Position Number

65018955

Grade

JB26

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

Salary Range: $84,000.00 - $115,000.00

The Regional Defender serves as the primary point of contact between the Office of Indigent Defense Services for contract attorneys and judicial officials in counties covered by the Managed Assigned Counsel program. They play a key role in supporting contract attorneys in delivering high-quality legal representation to indigent clients. The position emphasizes mentoring, evaluation, and recognition of effective advocacy, while identifying opportunities for training and professional development.

Currently, IDS has contracts for adult criminal work in Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Greene, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Orange, Person, Pitt, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wayne counties. The Executive Director will make the final county assignments for the next Regional Director, based on county needs and staff locations.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct courtroom observations; meet with contract counsel and other system actors; and conduct any needed review of contract attorneys' work to ensure that the attorneys are providing quality representation and are providing complete and reliable data to IDS.
• Maintain a regular presence in court to provide in-person support and consultation to attorneys.
• Monitor workloads and dispositions for contract counsel, develop methods for handling complaints from defendants and others, and recruit qualified counsel attorneys to handle indigent cases, including working with attorneys to help them become qualified for the rosters.
• Assist in the evaluation and selection of attorneys for contracts, collaborating with the contracts team and other IDS staff to identify and negotiate with individual attorneys.
• Provide one-on-one consultation and support to contract attorneys, including assistance with case-related challenges and professional development. When appropriate and with the attorney’s consent, engage with clients and their families to help address concerns or resolve conflicts that may impact representation.
• Work with IDS staff, School of Government, and others to ensure that training is available for private assigned counsel and that other resources, such as trial manuals and brief and motions banks, are adequate for the needs of private assigned counsel.

This position requires frequent and extensive travel within designated region using a state issued vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: NC General Statutes and applicable caselaw; general management, budgetary, and organizational practices to properly organize and manage the contract attorneys; the NC court system and the principles and practices of current models and methods for provision of legal services to indigent clients.

Skills in: direct representation of indigent defendants and/or respondents; problem solving; personnel management; interpersonal communications; making presentations; relationship building; and interviewing skills.

Ability to: plan, establish, direct, and implement standards for the contract attorneys; provide oversight to professionals; write reports and policy and procedures; deal tactfully with sensitive situations; schedule and counsel employees; work with multiple groups representing diverse interests in a constructive and productive manner; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Supplemental and Contact Information:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more, click on these links:

E-Verify Participation
E-Verify Participation (Spanish)

Right to Work
Right to Work (Spanish)



Travis Davis
NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division
https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

North Carolina law license, Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited ABA law school and five (5) years of experience in criminal defense work including indigent representation involving a variety of case types from district court through serious superior court matters; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Management prefers candidates with five (5) years of legal experience with some supervisory or teaching experience. Experience trying criminal cases is required, and experience with jury trials is preferred.

MUST HAVE A VALID NORTH CAROLINA DRIVER'S LICENSE.

Attach cover letter and résumé.

EEO Statement

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Travis Davis

Email:

HumanResources@nccourts.org