Managing Dir. of Behavioral Health, Alt. Sentencing & Re-Entry

Managing Director of Behavioral Health, Alternative Sentencing, and Re-Entry

FLSA Status: Exempt

Division/Department: Management

Reports to: Deputy Defender

Direct Reports: Chief of Behavioral Health, Chief of Alternative Sentencing, Asst. Chiefs

Job Summary

The Managing Director of Behavioral Health, Alternative Sentencing, and Re-Entry will oversee and direct the Behavioral Health Unit and the Alternative Sentencing Unit, as well as have responsibility to establish and build out a Re-Entry practice. The Managing Director will work to create a unified vision and mission amongst the practice units to better serve our clients' behavioral health and post-sentence needs. In addition, the Managing Director will work closely with the Deputy Defender to ensure office resources are being utilized fairly across units and to ensure the development, growth, and equitable treatment of Defender attorneys and staff, including senior staff. This role will also be an outward-facing role and the Managing Director will work closely with criminal justice partners and other stakeholders, including active participation in the statewide Behavioral Health Initiative. The Managing Director will be expected to work collaboratively with our policy unit for grant proposals related to the mission.

What You'll Do:

• Directly supervise and coach the Chief of Behavioral Health, Chief of Alternative Sentencing and the Assistant Chief
• Establish a plan and timeline for expansion of Re-Entry practice, and then supervise the implementation of the plan
• Conduct regular meetings with direct reports to learn how to improve our systems and ensure the flow of information between units; including fostering a more unified mission between units to better serve Defender clients
• Create and maintain databases for unit programs to track relevant data and statistics and ensure that each unit is complying with data collection needs
• Assist Deputy Defender and Chief of People & Culture in disciplinary proceedings when necessary
• Ensure that unit Chiefs and Assistant Chief are complying with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and raising concerns to Deputy when necessary
• Conduct courtroom observations as needed, and have communication with Judges surrounding issues or patterns that arise
• Have an active role in meetings with Judges and First Judicial District Leadership regarding behavioral health programs and initiatives, sentencing issues, and re-entry programming
• Have an active role in the Statewide Behavioral Health Initiative
• Work collaboratively with the policy unit to seek out and apply for appropriate grants and alternative funding sources
• Build community relationships and be a Defender representative at meetings and conferences, when necessary
• Conduct routine 1 on 1 meetings with all direct reports and write their yearly evaluations

What You'll Need:

• Law Degree required; Admission to PA Bar required
• Completion of full Defender Association rotation, including Municipal Court, Waivers, CYJ, and Jury Demand (or equivalent experience) is required.
• Jury trial experience, preferred
• Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Prior management experience, required
• Knowledge of Mental Health law and procedures, Sentencing law and procedures, and Re-entry programs and principles, preferred
• Must be able to travel to local courtrooms and prisons and travel related to trainings and conferences may also be necessary

Benefits & Perks

• Generous and rich benefits plan with many employer paid benefits
• Substantial paid time off- over 35 paid time off days and all federal holidays off
• Six weeks of paid parental leave
• Participation in Septa Free All Access card
• 403 (b) Employer Match
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.
• Meaningful Work and growth
• Wellness benefits

Who is the Defender Association?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We're the community's lawyers. The Defender team - more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff - make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Come join our team! For more information follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn.