Deputy Director

The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and passionate attorney to become its next Deputy Director. The Deputy Director will help chart NYSDA’s future growth and support the enhancement of public defense representation throughout New York.

NYSDA, a not-for-profit, membership organization, has been providing support to New York's public defense community since 1967. NYSDA’s mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to people who cannot afford counsel. NYSDA supports and enhances client-centered high-quality public defense representation around New York by providing training, publications, case consultation, and technical assistance for New York's public defense community through its Public Defense Backup Center, Veterans Defense Program (VDP), Public Defense Case Management System (PDCMS), and Public Defense Recruitment and Retention Program. NYSDA offers high-quality training to public defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and other members of the public defense team. In September, NYSDA opened the Defender Institute, a multi-purpose center for trainings, meetings, networking, and other events in downtown Albany. NYSDA is a strong, stable organization with a budget of approximately $6 million and 33 staff. NYSDA will celebrate its 60th Anniversary in 2027.

The Deputy Director works closely with the Executive Director to carry out the mission of the New York State Defenders Association. The Deputy Director has significant internal and external facing responsibilities including: administration, strategy and leadership, supervision, program management, and advocacy.

Responsibilities

Administration

• Manage the organization in the absence of the Executive Director
• Along with other members of the Executive Team, negotiate and interface with lending institutions, banks, benefits brokers, vendors, and recommend changes/enhancements
• Collaborate with the Executive Team to review compensation and benefits for staff members
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on grant and other funding reporting obligations

Strategy and Leadership

• Participate in key decisions about organizational priorities and short- and long-term strategic planning
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to identify resource needs, match existing and potential resources with strategic priorities, and manage organizational- and program-related budgets and expenses
• Act as liaison to other organizations and serve on national, state, and other committees
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on the oversight of the Association’s communications and responses to media
• Promote NYSDA membership

Team Management and Supervision

• Foster a conducive work environment that is transparent, accountable, and supportive
• Mentor and coach staff; be a visible, approachable sounding board/resource
• Supervise the Legal Director of the Public Defense Backup Center, the Legal Training Manager, and other Public Defense Backup Center staff
• Assist the Executive Director with the supervision of the Business Manager, Director of Operations, Director of Public Defense Case Management System (PDCMS), and Director of the Veterans Defense Program (VDP)

Programs/Projects

• Oversee the Public Defense Backup Center and the Public Defense Recruitment and Retention Program
• In collaboration with the Legal Training Manager, oversee the Association’s in-person and virtual training programs
• In collaboration with the Legal Director, oversee publications, including the Public Defense Backup Center REPORT and News Picks from NYSDA Staff
• Assist the Executive Director with the oversight of the VDP and PDCMS

Legislative Advocacy

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and retained lobbyists on legislative advocacy, including developing legislative priorities and partnering where appropriate with other organizations and advocates
• Assist the Executive Director with compliance and reporting obligations of the NYS Joint Commission on Public Ethics

Requirements/Qualifications

• Attorney admitted to practice in New York or eligible for admission to New York
• Demonstrated commitment to NYSDA’s mission
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Supervisory experience
• Strong networking and relationship management skills
• Awareness of and willingness to address racial and other disparities and implicit biases, both internally and within the criminal justice, family court, and public defense systems
• Strong organizational skills
• Self-starter, self-disciplined
• Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities
• Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor
• Operate with excellence in mind, in all matters

Preferred Experience

Listed below are the preferred qualifications for the ideal candidate. If you are interested in the position, please do not hesitate to apply; we know that sometimes the person who impresses us the most does not neatly match a qualification list. The strongest candidates will bring broad legal judgment, meaningful leadership experience, and the ability to learn new subject areas quickly.

• Experience in providing public defense representation
• Experience with non-profit organization management
• Experience with training program development
• Experience with legislative advocacy
• Experience with budget oversight and grant funding and management
• Experience with grassroots organizing

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $162,000 - $175,000, depending on experience. NYSDA offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation, personal, and sick time, and parental leave; health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; FSA; and 403(b) with employer contribution after one year.

The Deputy Director reports to the Executive Director. The Executive Director and the Deputy Director are present in NYSDA’s main office in Albany on most days with some flexibility for remote work in New York. The position involves occasional travel to training programs, meetings, and professional development events within and outside New York. The position is classified as “exempt,” and some evening and weekend hours may be required.

To apply, go to . https://jobs.appone.com/nysda. Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume (in PDF format). The cover letter should express the applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications that are aligned with the role, requirements, and experience. Applications without the required materials will not be considered. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

NYSDA is an equal opportunity employer. NYSDA values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply.

NYSDA offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation, personal, and sick time, and parental leave; health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; FSA; and 403(b) with employer contribution after one year.