DIRECTOR DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC DEFENDER
Career Family: DIRECTOR
Director Division of Administration Public Defender is an unclassified state title, filled by appointment and outside the tenure protections that cover the competitive ranks.
On paper it calls for a doctoral degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. The published schedule for this title runs $91,735 to $128,436, but it is frozen at an older rate and these titles are typically paid off-schedule, so actual pay is often higher.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under general direction of the Public Defender, assists in the formulation of policies and directs work programs organized to provide administrative/managerial technical support to the operating areas of the Office of the Public Defender; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
May formulate policy and guide activities related to personnel administration including recruitment, selection and placement, classification and compensation, affirmative action, labor and employee relations, payroll and safety, manpower planning, research and development, and staff training. May formulate policy and guide fiscal activities including budget interpretation and preparation, cost accounting, fiscal planning, cost benefit analysis, fiscal and grant reporting, and general and specific accounting activities. Coordinates activity for the statistical section, compiling statistics for Public Defender case load data. Supervises the lien and billing section to collect monies for the State Treasury for all legal services rendered by the Public Defender to clients. Conducts systematic appraisal audits designed to regularly evaluate operational effectiveness of department programs, and provides technical assistance to division directors to assist them in selecting staff and operational methods best suited to their needs which also meet the criteria of efficiency and economy of operation. Supervises several division work programs organized to provide the Office of the Public Defender with general housekeeping services including stock and storage, mail, printing, vehicles, forms control, purchase and distribution, and microfilming. May assist the Public Defender in negotiations with fiscal officers for funds for new/innovative programs designed to meet/enhance program objectives, advise the Public Defender of available resources, and recommend viable alternatives. Keeps the Public Defender informed of impending changes in federal/state funding, develops alternatives for sound fiscal management in the face of budget reductions or new sources of revenue, and suggests new and innovative approaches to utilization of resources to ensure program priorities are met and that services to the public are maintained. May assist with activities related to data processing management research/planning and systems development including full range management, planning and research, statistics, cost benefit analysis, management information systems, and procedures development. Interprets rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and standards of the Departments of Personnel and of the Treasury. Maintains close contact with administrators of the Departments of Personnel and of the Treasury to ensure favorable working relationships between staffs of the appropriate sections in each department, and identifies changing practices/procedures of both for use by department staff. Oversees maintenance and upkeep of an extensive legal research department library and regional libraries. Directs expenditure of monies in the leasing of office space in Office of the Public Defender locations throughout the state and oversees the planning of the lay-out and renovations. Prepares extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Prepares and supervises preparation of meaningful progress and other reports containing findings, analyses, conclusions, and recommendations. Directs the maintenance of records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the department and the functions, responsibilities, organization, and operations of the division after a period of training. Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Departments of Personnel and of the Treasury after a period of training. Knowledge of problems involved in administrative operations of the Office of the Public Defender carrying out diversified/specialized functions using highly trained professional/technical employees in programs financed through funds received from a number of different sources and administered under a variety of laws/regulations. Knowledge of problems encountered and methods used in planning and carrying out a variety of operational and programmatic studies/analyses and in organizing, evaluating, and interpreting the resulting data. Ability to plan, initiate, and execute programs designed to facilitate effective utilization of resources within the department. Ability to motivate employees of the Office of the Public Defender to maintain an appropriate image of the office's goals/philosophies. Ability to deal effectively with a variety of abstract/concrete variables and to define problems and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply various concepts of operations management to policy setting and regulatory activities in a large scale program. Ability to direct the maintenance of records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. CODES: 37/M37 - RKR/cah 7/18/98
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Eleven (11) years of professional experience in administrative work involving personnel, fiscal, and general administrative activities in a large public or private agency, four (4) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and seven (7) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Management, Public Administration, Personnel Administration, Business Administration, Data Processing, Computer Programming, Accounting, Statistics, or other demonstrably relevant field; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in any of the above-mentioned or other related fields; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.