Careers
A career with the Federal Public Defender is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have in your legal career. Learn more about the benefits of working at our office.
The Federal Public Defender Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.
Current Openings
For a detailed description of the position you want to view, please click on the name from the list below
THE POSITION:
The Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is seeking a full time Assistant Computer Systems Administrator (ACSA) in our Boston office. The Federal Public Defender provides federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel.
The ACSA supports and reports directly to the Computer Systems Administrator while receiving technical guidance for districtwide projects and ensuring the completion of technical support tickets.
WHAT WE DO:
The Federal Public Defender Office is a law office that represents persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. We represent the accused from arrest through trial and appeal, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus review.
We work together to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent and to a fair sentence if convicted. Our defense is vigorous, both at trial and on appeal. We advocate for humane sentences by showing judges and prosecutors that we represent people, not criminals.
WHO WE ARE:
We are attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, investigators, mitigation specialist, office administrators, and information technology specialists committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent.
We value diversity and a commitment to equality, and we believe better legal representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions that you can bring, including your culture, ethnicity, education, opinions, race, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, and economic status.
WHO YOU ARE:
The ACSA assists with user support, user training, and resolving hardware, software, and data communications problems. They provide litigation support by analyzing and identifying litigation support needs, creating, and maintaining case management and trial presentation databases, working with vendors, and researching latest methods and technologies.
The ACSA supports and reports directly to the Computer Systems Administrator while receiving technical guidance for districtwide projects and ensuring the completion of technical support tickets. Additionally, the ACSA will deliver on-site and remote desktop support each of our offices in Boston, MA, Springfield, MA, Concord, NH, and Providence, RI. There are approximately 60 full-time staff and rotating interns in all of our offices.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Providing in-person assistance to users at all levels of proficiency.
• Providing technical support and training to end-users on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.
• Adhering to all local and regional IT operational standards and procedures.
• Developing and maintaining local technical and user documentation for all assigned systems.
• Managing PC imaging procedures, inventory, resources, and asset management within the office.
• Conducting disaster recovery, vulnerability detection, and remediation as directed by the CSA.
• Managing multiple demands, meeting established deadlines, and fulfilling commitments effectively.
• Assisting in maintaining network and workstation integrity, including security updates and firmware patches.
• Assisting and coordinating office IT projects, handling move, add, and change requests.
ADDITIONAL LITIGATION SUPPORT ACSA RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Assisting staff with trial preparation using IT-based automation applications.
• Providing litigation support using tools like PowerPoint, CaseMap, dtSearch, Adobe Acrobat, and Trial Director.
• Supporting systems maintenance activities as required.
• Resolving issues related to hardware, software, peripheral equipment, and data communications systems.
• Contributing to the implementation and execution of automation plans, ensuring security, quality control, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.
• Developing and updating local technical documentation for end-users.
• Performing any other duties as assigned by management.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Proficiency in computer hardware and software troubleshooting, and familiarity with Windows Operating Systems, Microsoft Office 365, and Adobe Acrobat are required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a team environment are required. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or another closely related degree is preferred. Applicants must have at least five (5) years of general experience or two years of specialized experience with the responsibilities listed above.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Some work outside normal working hours will be required. Occasional travel to other branch offices (Springfield, Concord, and Providence) will be required.
Applicants must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. All education, experience, training, and certifications will be verified.
Applicants must be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Employment will require a favorable background check.
Desirable qualifications include experience in Active Directory, Group Policy, Endpoint Management, VoIP Phones, Networking, Virtualization, AI Assistants, Videoconferencing, and Mobile Device Management (MDM).
Additionally, experience in software and hardware installation and updates, conducting end-user training and support across various applications, performing preventive maintenance, familiarity with document imaging technologies, and proficiency in computer imaging or deployment software would be advantageous.
Experience in litigation support, courtroom presentations, case management, computer and mobile forensics, and operation of audio/video equipment are a plus.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is from JSP-9/1 to JSP-12/10 currently yielding $67,743 – $127,707 per annum. This position offers federal employment benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.
Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
The selected candidate will be subject to verification and employment depends on a successful background verification. All claimed experience, certifications, training, and references will be verified. All positions are at-will and subject to the availability of funds.
The Federal Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must send an e-mail titled “Assistant Computer Systems Administrator” with a single Adobe .pdf document which includes:
◻ A Cover Letter
◻ A Resume and Three References
◻ Form AO-78 (found at https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao078.pdf)
◻ Send all items listed above to HRBoston@fd.org
*No Calls Please. Applicants who apply without submitting all documents will not be considered. Position will remain open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by October 31, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis until the position is filled.
Each year, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts selects approximately 5-6 Lindsay Fellows who have shown leadership potential and academic ability to intern at the Court.
Check out more information here https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/outreach/lindsay.htm
Our Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island offices also offer fall and spring internships for rising 2L and 3L law students, both part-time and full-time. These internships provide opportunities for students to develop their research and writing skills, to receive comments on their written work from experienced attorneys, to participate in the defense of criminal cases, and to attend trials, bail hearings, appeals, and arguments in both cases in which they assist and other cases in the office.
The Massachusetts office has open Spring 2025 internship positions and Fall 2025 has been filled. The New Hampshire office will have an internship available in Spring 2025, and the Rhode Island office will have internships available in Spring 2025 and Fall 2025.
To apply to one of the offices, please email a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample to:
Boston, MA: Wade Zolynski at Wade_Zolynski@fd.org
Concord, NH: Dorothy Graham at dorothy_graham@fd.org
Providence, RI: Rebecca Aitchison at rebecca_aitchison@fd.org
We have finalized hiring for Summer 2025 internships. Please check back at a later date for future opportunities.
THE POSITION:
The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is proud to sponsor a summer criminal defense internship for rising 2L and 3L law students interested in public service. Our office offers a unique and up-close opportunity to learn about the federal criminal process and public defense in a friendly, inclusive, and collegial environment.
One or more internship positions are available in each of our three offices (Boston MA, Concord NH, and Providence RI).
Our goal is to provide first-hand experience in federal public defense and guide students who wish to build public interest careers.
WHAT WE DO:
The Federal Public Defender Office is a publicly-funded law office that provides legal representation to persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. We are appointed to represent the accused upon arrest and through the completion of all appeals, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus review. Charges we defend against include economic crimes, child pornography crimes, drug offenses, weapons offenses, immigration offenses, and violent crimes.
WHO WE ARE:
We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. We are an equal opportunity employer.
We employ attorneys, paralegals, defense investigators, information technology specialists, and legal assistants. We work together to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent and to a fair sentence if convicted. We provide a vigorous defense at trial and, if the defendant is convicted, on appeal. We advocate for humane sentences by developing mitigation evidence and presenting judges with fully developed views of our clients as people, not criminals.
WHO YOU ARE:
We value diversity and a commitment to equality, and we believe better representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, education, opinions, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, economic status, and sexual orientation.
We are interested in your talent, intelligence, dedication, persistence, and desire to see all people treated fairly and respectfully, no matter the allegation or circumstance.
THE SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
The summer internship program will inform students’ understanding of the federal criminal justice system and build skills to best represent our clients.
Interns at the Federal Public Defender Office may engage in a wide range of activities, including:
· Attending court and shadowing attorneys.
· Researching and drafting legal memoranda and motions.
· Helping to develop trial and sentencing strategy.
· Assisting in our appellate, habeas, and certiorari practice.
· Assisting in investigations, including collecting factual and mitigating information.
· Reviewing discovery.
Each intern will be assigned to a lawyer mentor. Substantive editing feedback will be provided to help each student develop at least one piece of written work into a writing sample.
Preferably, students will be able to devote 40 hours per week for at least nine weeks, beginning June 2, 2025. While each student will be based in one of our three offices, opportunities may be available for students to attend hearings and trials in other districts. Students are required to abide by the FPDO’s confidentiality policy and to act at all times in the best interest of the FPDO’s clients.
This is an unpaid internship; however, we will work with your schools to meet criteria for credit or financial support, if available.
Feedback will be provided along with a formal evaluation, if requested.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested students should submit the following documents in a single PDF to MA_Internships@fd.org (for internships in Boston), Dorothy_Graham@fd.org (for internships in Concord), and/or Rebecca_Aitchison@fd.org (for internships in Providence):
1. A one-page cover letter that (a) explains your interest in the Federal Public Defender Office; (b) lists any criminal law classes or clinics you have taken; and (c) addresses any personal experiences you have had in the criminal justice system.
2. A one-page resume.
3. A writing sample (no more than five pages, please).
4. Specify which of our office(s) you have applied to (Boston, Concord, and/or Providence).
Please combine all these materials into a single PDF titled: lastname.firstname.summer2025.
Questions can be directed to MA_Internships@fd.org.
The positions will be open until filled. Candidates will be interviewed and hired on a rolling basis.
As we typically hire multiple interns to work in Boston, and that office reviews applications in two phases. The first phase of review begins in September. This portion of our hiring is usually done by October. We reserve at least one slot for a second phase of review that begins in December. Our hiring is usually complete by mid-January.
Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal record check and must take an oath of office as conditions of employment.
Visit fd.org for employment opportunities in other Federal Defender offices.
Contact Us
Massachusetts
51 Sleeper Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 223-8061
Fax: (617) 334-7991
Massachusetts
1 Federal Street, Building 101, Suite 3W
Springfield, MA 01105
Phone: (617) 699-3926
Fax: (617) 334-7991
New Hampshire
22 Bridge Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 226-7360
Fax: (603) 665-0053
Rhode Island
10 Weybosset Street, 3rd Floor
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 528-4281
Fax: (401) 867-2814