Criminal Defense Practice Discovery Administrator 

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 public defense to fill a position as Criminal Defense Practice Discovery Administrator.

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.

We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders. We run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation.

Responsibilities

During a criminal case, attorneys obtain evidence and information during the pretrial process. As a result, BxD receives 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, practice 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
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and/or weekends

This is an in-person position requiring 5 days per week in office. Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 1-10 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $69,250-$79,868

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.

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 overtime, whereas exempt employees are not.

To apply, please upload your resume and a cover letter in one document.

Applications will be accepted through March 24, 2026.

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a 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 serve.

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.