The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington is hiring an Administrative Officer, a high-level position that reports to the Federal Defender. The Administrative Officer manages the administration and operations in support of two law offices, 60+ staff and interns, and our mission of providing diligent, zealous, and respectful criminal defense representation.

Duties

The Administrative Officer is a one-of-a-kind position. We are looking for a leader who can act independently, manage finite resources effectively, and understand the relationship between Federal Public Defender offices and the U.S. Court system. The Administrative Officer supervises at least three staff members with administrative, financial, or information technology responsibilities. The starting salary range is $129,451 to $152,268 (Grade 14, Step 1 to Grade 15, Step 1) based on the Judicial Salary Plan effective January 2, 2023. Salary matching may be available up to the current maximum of $183,500 (Grade 15, Step 10). The Administrative Officer acts as the principal advisor to the Federal Defender on all aspects of office administration and management, and ensures compliance with national and local policies by acquiring knowledge of current requirements and staying informed of changes to the Guide to Judiciary Policy, the Defender Services Operations Manual, applicable state and federal statutes, GSA rules and regulations, and directives from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Defender Services Office, GSA, and other agencies as needed. General administration, management, and supervision: Directly assists with day-to-day operations, process improvement, policy development, and short- and long-term strategic planning. Supervises and directs administrative, financial, human resources, and IT functions. Works to recognize issues and improve office management, efficiency, and effectiveness. Develops and maintains internal controls to ensure adequate separation of duties exists for financial, procurement, property management, and human resource functions. Budget and financial management: Manages financial operations, develops spending plans, and oversees accounting functions, including the disbursement of appropriate funds. Formulates the annual budget, develops caseload projections, analyzes staffing needs and resource allocation, and prepares hiring plans. Prepares monthly variance reports, status of funds reports, and workload reports for review and approval by the Federal Defender. Human resources and personnel management: Advises on staffing, position classification and compensation, employee performance and evaluation, dispute resolution, benefits administration, and personnel policies. Develops strategies to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. Collaborates on a comprehensive onboarding program for all new employees and interns, and facilitates offboarding and exit interviews. Conducts performance evaluations for administrative staff. Procurement of government goods and services: Determines the need for, and directs procurement of, supplies, equipment, furnishings, and professional services in compliance with judiciary procurement policy. Trains and supervises employees responsible for various procurement duties. Property management: Collaborates with case management, custodial, disposal, and procurement administrators to manage records storage systems and accountable property inventories. Prepares for a Seattle office remodel and space refresh project in 2024. The Administrative Officer provides mentorship, ensures employees are adequately trained to perform their assigned duties, and manages leave and attendance. The position requires frequent travel between the Seattle and Tacoma offices and occasional out-of-district travel for attendance at administrative, case management, and/or financial conferences.

Requirements

Qualifications

The Federal Defender seeks an Administrative Officer who is a trusted and reliable individual with a heart for public service, uses good judgment, and appreciates the importance of diversity and teamwork. The Administrative Officer must be able to work individually and collaboratively and perform their responsibilities with a strong sense of ethics and integrity. They understand and value well-run administration; budget and financial management; human resources; information technology, space, and facilities management; and procurement, property, and records management. The successful Administrative Officer is a self-starter and innovative thinker who identifies issues and works to resolve them. If they don't know the answer to a question, they pursue self-education and seek assistance until they do. They are organized and able to handle multiple tasks. They are dedicated to serving clients by supporting the office as a whole. They are respectful to their colleagues and show appreciation for their roles. Above all, they maintain high standards for treating clients and colleagues with empathy and understanding.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Federal Public Defender, Western District of WA 1601 Fifth Ave Suite 700 Seattle, WA 98101 US
• Name: Colin Fieman
• Email: [email protected]