MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOLISTIC DEFENSE

Office of the Public Defender

Job Specifications

Class Code:	JG7
Analyst:	TC

Date Originated:	8/2022
Date Revised:

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the activities of the Holistic Defense Division of the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender. The Holistic Defense Division is a core component of the agency’s whole-person defense model, which combines aggressive courtroom advocacy with holistic defense practices to help clients meet their legal and social needs. This position will implement and lead the division in the four pillars of holistic defense, which are 1.  Seamless access to services that meet clients’ legal and social support needs; 2.  Dynamic, interdisciplinary communication; 3.  Advocates with an interdisciplinary skill set; 4.  A robust understanding of, and connection to, the community served.  The Managing Director of Holistic Defense leads a staff of advocates that may include social workers and other client advocates and has primary management responsibility for developing and implementing holistic policies and procedures in keeping with the agency’s mission, vision, and values, sustaining an innovate holistic advocacy program that provides interdisciplinary services to clients, developing staff, building networks, developing the division’s budget, managing contracts, procuring and managing grants, effectively and efficiently allocating the divisions’ resources, and performing other work as required. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is distinguished from subordinate supervisory classes in that the Managing Director of Holistic Defense leads a division within the department, reports directly to the Public Defender, and is responsible for developing policies, procedures, and training in the area of expertise that will apply to all employees in the agency and advance a core component of the agency’s public defense model. This class is distinguished from Public Defender, in that the Public Defender leads, and is responsible for, the entire department.

TYPICAL TASKS

The Managing Director of Holistic Defense leads a division that works with attorneys, investigators, administrative professionals, and County, court, and community partners to provide clients with interdisciplinary services designed to meet clients’ legal and social goals.

Typical tasks include:

• Reports directly to the Public Defender on all areas related to the agency’s provision of holistic defense to public defense clients, including matters of policy and procedure, model practices, legislative initiatives, opportunities for cross-training and collaboration, grant procurement, and budget preparation;
• Plans, develops, and implements provisions related to the Four Pillars of Holistic Defense to agency clients, including developing policies, procedures, and training for all agency staff in this area of expertise;
• Analyzes proposed and existing Federal, State, and local legislation and regulations to develop and implement appropriate operational and program changes.
• Evaluates current program and initiates modifications;
• Provides professional and technical consultation on complex program matters;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of program budgets and monitors on-going budgets;
• Negotiates, prepares, monitors, and evaluates grant proposals and contracts;
• Selects, trains, schedules, and evaluates subordinate staff; conducts office-wide staff meetings and training related to holistic defense; and instructs subordinate staff on policy inter
• Develops and maintains liaison with internal/external interfacing units and organizations to coordinate the delivery of applicable services, serves on various internal and/or external committees, and may provide staff support for selected groups;
• Appears before the Board of Supervisors to present plans, projects, and policies at the direction of the Public Defender;
• Participates actively in the agency’s Leadership Team as a member of the Executive Division, collaborating with the Public Defender and other managers to develop and implement policies and procedures based on model practices that exist in other jurisdictions that employ an interdisciplinary model to public defense;
• Sustains and grows an organizational structure that reflects and promotes the holistic defense pillars and develops and leads new initiatives to increase the impact of holistic advocates in public defense;
• Develops and implements ways of evaluating the effectiveness of the Holistic Defense Division through measurable outcomes and reporting that promotes transparency and leads to an efficient use of the agency’s resources;
• Identifies trends, systemic issues, and policies that affect clients and the practice area and proactively finds innovative solutions to enhance the provision of public defense services;
• Supports the agency’s role as a leader in elevating public defense by contributing to written and speaking engagements on holistic defense and the natural synergy between providing legal and holistic defense services to marginalized people and communities;
• Builds rapport with community resources by visiting with service providers, fostering collaborative relationships, resolving conflicts, and developing and implementing community outreach initiatives
• Prepares correspondence and reports; utilizes computerized systems to collect/maintain information and project, monitor, and analyze program performance; and
• Attends and conducts meetings and conferences.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Functions and services of a public defense agency that provides interdisciplinary services using a holistic defense model.
• Laws, regulations, and policies related to public defense, including holistic defense.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Principles and practices of public administration, program planning, and evaluation.
• Organization and management.

Working knowledge of:

• Program budgeting and fiscal management.
• Contract monitoring and evaluation.
• Grant procurement and management.
• The application of data processing to program operations.
• Provision of culturally-responsive services.
• Model practices for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a public agency.

Ability to:

• Evaluate program operations and recommend new or revised procedures to implement changes in practices and procedures and improve effectiveness;
• Analyze problem situations and adopt an effective course of action;
• Plan, assign, direct, and evaluate the work of staff;
• Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, staff, clients, and County, court, and community partners;
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply regulations, laws, and directives pertaining to social service programs;
• Prepare contracts, grants, and budgets;
• Supervise an interdisciplinary staff with a high degree of cultural competence;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to people from various backgrounds, from clients and their communities to legislative and political bodies;
• Inspire and motivate staff through a vision of client-focused, holistic defense services;
• Manage and negotiate organizational change as needed to promote the agency’s mission, vision, and values;
• Input, access, and analyze data utilizing a computerized case management system, spreadsheets, and data base tools.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Training and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, or a related discipline, and four years of social casework, holistic defense, or client advocacy experience with a human services department, public defense agency, or community-based organization that includes at least one year at a supervisory level.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

License Requirements:

· Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's license or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Other Special Requirements: Availability to respond to emergencies as needed on a 24-hour basis, which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays.

Special Working Conditions: May be exposed to infections which might cause chronic disease or death; physically and/or verbally abusive client behavior.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None

Bargaining Unit: 08

EEOC Job Category: 01

Occupational Grouping: 66

Workers Comp Code: 0053