Director -Indigent Defense Services-099600 in Detroit, Michigan at Wayne County Government

Title: Director -Indigent Defense Services-099600

Job Description

Responsibilities

Required Tasks

• Leads development and administration of a comprehensive compensation system for all public defense vendors, including assigned counsel, investigators, experts, and training providers, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Directs grant strategy and administration supporting the IDSD, Public Defender Office (PDO), and assigned counsel system, aligning funding with operational and policy objectives.
• Collaborates with justice system stakeholders to advance funding strategies and policy initiatives that strengthen the administration of justice and ensure compliance with Michigan Indigent Defense Commission standards.
• Prepares and/or oversees preparation and submission of all required reports and funding requests, including those to the MIDC, Wayne County, and the Third Circuit Court.
• Provides strategic oversight of training, professional development, and community engagement initiatives for the indigent defense system, in partnership with the PDO.
• Negotiates and manages contractual relationships with Wayne County’s Public Defender Office, ensuring performance, accountability, and alignment with system goals.
• Sets and drives organizational vision and culture, fostering a high-performing, mission-driven workforce.
• Continuously evaluates and optimizes organizational structure, aligning resources and personnel with evolving indigent defense reform priorities.
• Partners with the Wayne County Office of Corporation Counsel to advance strategic initiatives, manage legal risk, and support organizational objectives.
• Leads and represents the department in internal and external workgroups, serving as a key liaison on indigent defense reform efforts at the local, state, and national levels.

Qualifications

Educational/ Experience Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school. Licensed Attorney in good standing in the State of Michigan.
• At least 8 years of experience practicing law, with at least 3 years of experience in criminal law.
• Preferred: 10 years of practicing law, with at least 5 years in criminal law.
• Demonstrated supervisory and/or leadership experience overseeing and directing multiple staff members, or experience leading a team within the criminal justice system.
• Proven leadership experience overseeing and managing budgets, and data-driven operations, including performance metrics.
• Strong proficiency in public policy advocacy preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of various stakeholders, in public or non-public arenas.
• Public sector administrative experience preferred.

Job Info

Job Identification: 2807

Posting Date: 07/07/2026, 02:26 PM

Apply Before: 09/24/2026, 08:30 PM

Degree Level: Master's Degree

Job Schedule: Full time
Location: 333 W Fort St, Detroit, MI, 48226, US