The Position

The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is hiring a program-wide Administrative Officer to be based in its Boston, Massachusetts office. The Administrative Officer is a high-level manager who reports to, and collaborates with, the Federal Defender and other members of management to oversee the operations of the Federal Defender Office, which is a federal agency within the U.S. Court system, with approximately 50 employees in three states. Starting salary varies based on experience, with a range under the Judicial Salary Plan from Grade 11, $74,129  – Grade 15, $176,300 to commensurate with experience. The position includes a generous federal benefits package.

What We Do

The Federal Public Defender Office is a law office that provides legal representation to 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 are attorneys, paralegals, investigators, office administrators, 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. 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 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

You are a trusted and reliable manager who values professionalism and who consistently uses sound judgment to carry out responsibilities. You partner with other members of management, keep confidences, and are comfortable acting both independently and as a member of our team so the office can give exceptional legal services to the people we represent. You not only see the problems, but also the solutions, and you harness creativity, dedication, and persistence to overcome the challenges. You interact with and supervise others with empathy and understanding while maintaining high standards.

Experience Required

• A minimum five years of experience in office administration, office management, or a related field.
• Experience in financial planning and management, including budget compliance and accounts payable.
• Computer literacy, including fluency in the Microsoft Office suite of programs, including Excel and Adobe Acrobat.
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• Strong planning and organizational skills.
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• Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively.
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• Ability to keep confidences and protect legal privileges.
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• Desire to work with, and on behalf of, people from diverse backgrounds.
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Experience We Hope For

• Experience supervising staff and in the assignment and the review of work.
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• Experience in transactional and transformational human resource management.
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• Experience with telecommunications, office automation, and office space management.
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• Ability to coordinate and supervise a staff working remotely or from another office.
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• Familiarity with the purchase and procurement of government goods and services.
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• Familiarity with federal government business and the federal court system, including recordkeeping and generating reports as required.
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• A commitment to diversity in our workforce and to our mission to give exceptional services to people accused or convicted of federal crimes.
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• Considerable resourcefulness, efficiency, discretion, initiative, creativity, and compassion.
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What the Administrative Officer Does

• General administration, assists with management and supervision.
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  • Acts as a principal advisor to the Federal Defender on all aspects of office administration and management.
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  • Directly assists with key day-to-day planning, process improvement, policy development, and long-term and short-term strategic planning.
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  • Partners with managers to recognize and address issues, and to improve the organization’s overall management, efficiency, and effectiveness.
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  • Develops and maintains internal controls to assure segregation of financial, procurement, property management, and human resources functions.
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  • Assists the Federal Defender in supervising and directing administrative, financial, and human resources.
  • Partners with the leadership team to create and implement IT functions.
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• Budget and financial management
  • Assists the Federal Defender and other members of management, to manage the financial operations of the Federal Defender Office.
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  • Plans, directs, and coordinates budget formulation, analysis, and execution.
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  • Analyzes long-range budgetary and organizational emphasis, including staffing needs and resource allocation.
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  • Prepares financial plans and staffing patterns and develops caseload projections in conjunction with budget plans.
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  • Manages and oversees day-to-day accounting functions, including the disbursement of appropriate funds for the Federal Defender Office.
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  • Prepares and reviews vouchers for payment, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness.
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• Human resources and personnel management
  • Develops and monitors monthly variance reports, status of funds reports, and monthly reconciliation reports for review and approval by the Federal Defender.
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  • Provides the Federal Defender with advisory assistance in the recruitment and selection of staff, position classification and compensation, employee performance and evaluation, grievance and EEOC procedures, education about and use of employee benefits, and the implementation of personnel policies and procedures for the Federal Defender Office.
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  • Develops and administers procedures for recruitment and selection of applicants with an eye to diversifying the Federal Defender Office workforce.
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  • Screens applications, tests and interviews candidates when appropriate.
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  • Recommends personnel policies to the Federal Defender and other members of management on matters like performance management, standards of conduct, disciplinary proceedings, employee development and promotion.
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  • Demonstrates experience with and an ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging through personnel skill development and a willingness to share tools within the office to create a cohesive environment for all.
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  • Administers EEOC programs, complies with reporting requirements and acts as employee benefits coordinator.
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  • Initiates and maintains a comprehensive orientation program for all new employees and ensures documentation and justification for decisions made.
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  • Assists in managing off-boarding process and when appropriate, facilitates exit interviews of departing employees.
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  • In partnership with the Federal Defender and management, conducts performance appraisals for administrative support staff, and coordinates performance appraisals for all other staff.
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  • Maintains personnel files and records.
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• Procurement of government goods and services
  • Determines need and ensures procurement of supplies, equipment, furnishings, and professional contract services from government and non-government sources while following established policies and procedures for procurement.
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  • Trains and assists in supervising employees responsible for various procurement duties.
• Property management
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  • Organizes and manages storage systems for records and monitors property inventory.
  • Coordinates office repairs or renovations and arranges office space and relocation when needed.
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How to Apply

Applicants must send an e-mail titled “Administrative Officer” with both a resume and a cover letter attached to HRBoston@fd.org. Applicants who apply without submitting both documents will not be considered. Applications will be accepted through May 20, 2022.

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• We are an equal opportunity employer.

Recognizing the critical importance of diversity to a legal services program whose clients are primarily people of color, the Defender Services Program has long sought to increase the participation of attorneys from groups traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.

Supported by the federal judiciary’s emphasis on workforce diversity to engender public trust and improve performance, the goal of this Fellowship Program is to enhance the quality of representation provided for persons unable to afford counsel in federal criminal proceedings by increasing the number of diverse attorneys capable of providing such representation. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, and socioeconomic status. Diversity among CJA counsel supports the cultural competency necessary to meet the needs of a diverse clientele and can lead to better case outcomes by fostering greater trust on the part of CJA clients.

The Fellowship Program will achieve this goal by creating a pipeline of diverse attorneys qualified to join FDOs and CJA panels.

To learn more and apply, please visit diversityfellowship.fd.org.

Law Student Internship Summer 2023 (Boston, Concord, Providence)

Intern hiring has been completed for summer 2022. This posting is for summer 2023.

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.
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• Researching and drafting legal memoranda and motions.
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• Helping to develop trial and sentencing strategy.
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• Assisting in our appellate, habeas, and certiorari practice.
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• Assisting in investigations, including collecting factual and mitigating information.
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• Reviewing discovery.
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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 1, 2023. 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 Kevin_Fitzgerald@fd.org and Joanne_Daley@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.
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3. A one-page resume.
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5. A writing sample (no more than five pages, please).
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7. Two references or letters of recommendation.
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9. Specify which of our office(s) you have applied to (Boston, Concord, and/or Providence).
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Please combine all of these materials into a single PDF titled “lastname.firstname.summer2023”. 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, 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.