• Job Description

  Req#: 1793

  Overview

  The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate administrative professional with a commitment to social justice to fill a position as Criminal Defense Practice Discovery Administrator.

  The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative, individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally-recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend.

  Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national level. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

  Responsibilities

  During a criminal case, attorneys obtain evidence and information during the pretrial process. As a result, The Bronx Defenders receive and must share a large volume of evidence (discovery) with the District Attorney’s office throughout each case. Reporting to the Managing Director of Administration, the Criminal Defense Practice Discovery Administrator is responsible for supporting attorneys in collecting, processing, and maintaining discovery records.

  • Receive, download, upload, categorize and organize all discovery content produced by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office (BXDAO) within the required time frame
  • Ensure the discovery produced correlates with BxD cases
  • Organize all discovery on BxD storage system/cloud
  • Ensure discovery is properly maintained in the BXD system in proper form with proper credentials
  • Notify assigned defender when all discovery is downloaded and ready for team access
  • Coordinate with the assigned defender to ensure reciprocal discovery is properly uploaded to the BxD system and provided to the assigned prosecutor
  • Retrieve physical documents from the District Attorney's Office
  • Liaise with the Information Technology Department to troubleshoot any technological constraints that may arise
  • Answer telephone/email inquiries from staff and handle basic correspondence related to discovery
  • Enter and search data on various Unified Court System databases and internal case management system

  Back-up and support administrative staff including, but not limited to, filing motions, scheduling conferences, clerical support, and notary services

  Qualifications

  To be eligible, applicants must have:

  • Minimum of one year of experience working in an office

  Candidates must demonstrate:

  • Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences
  • Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively
  • Strong computer literacy skills
  • Ability to learn and efficiently use new technological systems
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite and OneDrive
  • Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
  • Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
  • Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
  • Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and/or weekends

  This is an in person position with contact with staff and community members.

  Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $52,343 - $57,305. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy; and a professional development fund. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.

  Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.

  This position is non-exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.

  To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement instead of a cover letter. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like for us to consider. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume is up to date. Please remember that you may submit a written cover letter or an audio/video statement, but not both, and applications without either will not be considered.

  Applications will be accepted through June 24, 2024. Please contact Marterra Walker, Managing Director of Administration, via email at marterraw@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position.

  The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.

• About the company

  The Bronx Defenders is a nationally-recognized holistic public defender office serving tens of thousands of low-income Bronx residents every year.

Notice