About the Department

Under the direction of the Public Defender and Assistant Public Defender, the Director of Training will assess training needs across all agency units and classifications to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. They will collaborate with regional Deputies and practice areas statewide to identify and address training requirements that strengthen attorney practice. The Director will develop and implement training programs with support from expert staff attorneys, and will further train subject matter experts to deliver direct instruction to staff and pool counsel. They will establish a strategic training plan for the agency and attend local and national training events to stay current on best practices, legal updates, and courtroom techniques. Additionally, the Director will partner with PD management to design and implement training for new practice areas, ensuring the agency remains informed on caselaw, forensics, immigration reform, mental health and recovery courts, and all aspects of child welfare and criminal law, and does other related duties as required.

Position Duties

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.

Minimum Qualifications

Appointees must be licensed as an Attorney-at-Law in the State of New Jersey.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Other Qualifications

Writing Sample Required:

Develop a comprehensive 6-month training plan that encompasses a variety of topics across all NJOPD practice areas. Identify whom you would consult in order to formalize training topics and faculty for each training.

If you are applying under the NJ "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: [email protected], or call CSC at (833) 691-0404.

Benefits

Health Benefits, including Dental, effective 60 days from hire date. This also includes a robust prescription plan.
Vision care partial reimbursement for exams, glasses and/or contacts.
Earn 20 vacation days per year as an unclassified employee. May carry up to one year of earned vacation time into the next succeeding year only.
Earn up to 15 sick days per year, which may be carried from year to year on an unlimited basis. Will also receive 1 additional bereavement day, applying to immediate family members.
Will receive up to 3 personal days per year (Administrative Leave Days).
Receives 13 paid Holidays per year.
Per the most recent collective bargaining agreement ending June 30, 2027, union-represented employees will receive the following salary increases:
- 3.5% Across the board for each of the 4 years of the contract, beginning July 1, 2023.
- Continued salary steps each year at approximately 3.7% (1.5 years from step 8 to step 9, and 2 years from step 9 to step 10, and step 10 to step 11).
Mandatory enrollment in a fixed Pension Plan. Employee contribution is 7.5% of salary. Vested after 10 years.
May qualify for Telework up to 2 days per week after a period of training and acclimation to the OPD.

Agency Information

Employer: New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJ)
Address: 25 Market Street

P.O. Box 850

Trenton, New Jersey, 08625-0850
Website: https://www.nj.gov/defender/