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The Office of
Defense Services

Employment


The Office of Defense Services (ODS) offers career opportunities for attorneys, legal assistants, legal administrative specialists, investigators, client intake specialists, forensic social and mitigation specialists, and administrative and information technology professionals. ODS fills jobs as they become vacant. For information about the ODS’ law clerk program and internships, please click on the links at the bottom of this section.

If you are interested in working at the ODS, please email a cover letter and resume to ODS human resources ODS_HR@delaware.gov. ODS will send an electronic confirmation after your resume is received. ODS will keep your resume on file for 12 months. As positions become available, ODS will review your resume to see if you meet the requirements for the vacant position(s).

Benefits | Internships | Law Clerk Programs

Statewide Open Positions

Full-Time Statewide Legal Assistant

The Office of Defense Services seeks a highly motivated, organized, and enthusiastic Legal Assistant to fill a full-time role within the Parental Defense Division based at the Sussex office. This position will provide assigned Assistant Public Defender’s with the necessary legal and administrative support in providing quality, constitutionally mandated, indigent defense services to parent clients facing Division of Family Services involvement.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class:

  • Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, Petitioner (DFS), Respondents, Child Advocates, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.
  • Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from the preliminary protective hearing through permanency, termination of parental rights, and any other substantive legal proceeding involving parent-clients whose children are in the custody of the Division of Family Services.
  • Interviews involved parties such as parent clients, witnesses, family supports, service providers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.
  • Reviews various reports as well as other information such as Division of Family Services records, police reports, medical reports, and any other relevant documentary evidence ; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Assistant Public Defenders; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and motion responses; issue subpoenas to obtain relevant records; serves and prepares discovery; and makes required redactions for discovery and case preparation.
  • Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.
  • Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals.
  • Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures.
  • Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes.

Job Requirements for Legal Assistant

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

  • Three years of employment with the Office of Defense Services in a similar capacity.

OR

  • Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.

  • OR
  • Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
  • Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
  • Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
  • Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
  • Proficient in all internal and external computer programs related to job duties, including but not limited to: Sharepoint, Word, Outlook, JIC, DELJIS, and E-Filing desired not essential.

Benefits

Upon eligibility benefits to include:

  • Group Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Prescription, Flexible Spending, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance, Group Universal Life Insurance, Securian Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Health Management Programs.
  • 21 paid vacation days, 15 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, up to 12 weeks paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to support services such as Professional Counseling Services, Legal Services, Financial   Services.
  • Employer & Employee Funded Pension Plan as well as an Employee Funded Retirement Savings Plan available.

Additional Posting Information

The Office of Defense Services is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or veteran status.

Conditions of Hire

  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via email to ODS_HR@delaware.gov

Application end date: Monday, March 10, 2025

Anticipated start date: Monday, March 23, 2025

New Castle County Open Positions

The Office of Defense Services’ Public Defender’s Office seeks a motivated and enthusiastic attorney to join our Wilmington office in a full-time capacity defending clients in the Superior Court of New Castle County. To qualify, the attorney must be admitted, or pending admission, to the Delaware Bar. Job duties will primarily include a felony trial caseload in the Superior Court and will also encompass defending clients at violation of probation hearings, specialty court proceedings, and other court calendars as needed.

Applicants with experience in criminal law are preferred. Applicants without experience in criminal law but with a strong interest in the field and litigation experience are also encouraged to apply. The salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Upon eligibility benefits to include:

  • Group Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Prescription, Flexible Spending, Long & Short Term Disability Insurance, Group Universal Life Insurance, Securian Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Health Management Programs.
  • 21 paid vacation days, 15 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, up to 12 weeks paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to support services such as Professional Counseling Services, Legal Services, Financial Services.
  • Employer & Employee Funded Pension Plan as well as an Employee Funded Retirement Savings Plan available.
  • Student loan repayment assistance and forgiveness

Additional Posting Information

The Office of Defense Services is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or veteran status.

Conditions of Hire

  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. 
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via email to ODS_HR@delaware.gov.

Application end date: Until filled

The Office of Defense Services’ Public Defender’s Office seeks a motivated and enthusiastic attorney to contract with our Wilmington office on a contractual basis to defend clients statewide in the Family Court of Delaware. Job duties will primarily include defending children who are simultaneously facing truancy and delinquency charges. The caseload will consist of felony, misdemeanor, and truancy matters. Responsibilities include pre-trial and trial proceedings and will also encompass defending clients at violation of probation hearings, specialty court proceedings, and other court calendars as needed. The attorney will lead an interdisciplinary team to assist the client with legal, collateral, and educational needs. This attorney will represent the office on committees and work groups related to truancy as well as engage Delaware’s community on these issues. Finally, the attorney will work with the Director of Training to educate the office’s youth defense unit on matters related to truancy and educational law.

To qualify, the attorney must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and be admitted, or pending admission, to the Delaware Bar.

Applicants with experience in criminal law, youth defense or educational law are preferred. Applicants without this experience but with a strong interest in the field and litigation experience are also encouraged to apply.

Compensation

The salary is set at $112,500 per year for a two-year period. This is a grant position and this program is funded through the Delaware Criminal Justice Council by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Benefits

Contractual employees are not eligible to participate in any State of Delaware benefit programs. This includes paid vacation/sick leave, holiday pay, health insurance, or pension.

Additional Posting Information

The Office of Defense Services is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or veteran status.

Application end date: Until filled

Kent County Open Positions

The Office of Defense Services’ Public Defender’s Office seeks a motivated and enthusiastic attorney to fill a full-time position as an attorney in Kent County, based in the Dover office.  To qualify, the attorney must be admitted, or pending admission, to the Delaware Bar. Job duties will primarily include a misdemeanor caseload in the Court of Common Pleas or Family Court, and will also encompass violation of probation hearings, specialty courts, and other court calendars as needed. Court assignment to be completed upon hire and dependent upon experience.

Applicants with experience in criminal law are preferred. Applicants without experience in criminal law but with a strong interest in the field and litigation experience are also encouraged to apply. The salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Upon eligibility benefits to include:

  • Group Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Prescription, Flexible Spending, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance, Group Universal Life Insurance, Securian Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Health Management Programs.
  • 21 paid vacation days, 15 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, up to 12 weeks paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to support services such as Professional Counseling Services, Legal Services, Financial Services.
  • Employer & Employee Funded Pension Plan as well as an Employee Funded Retirement Savings Plan available.
  • Student loan repayment assistance and forgiveness

Additional Posting Information

The Office of Defense Services The Office of Defense Services is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or veteran status.

Conditions of Hire

  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. 
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via email to ODS_HR@delaware.gov

Application end date: Until filled

Sussex County Open Positions

The Office of Defense Services’ Public Defender’s Office seeks a motivated and enthusiastic attorney to fill a full-time position as an attorney in Sussex County, based in the Georgetown office.  To qualify, the attorney must be admitted, or pending admission, to the Delaware Bar. Job duties will primarily include either a misdemeanor and or felony caseload in the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court or Superior Court, and will also encompass violation of probation hearings, specialty courts, and other court calendars as needed. Court assignment to be completed upon hire and dependent upon experience.

Applicants with experience in criminal law are preferred. Applicants without experience in criminal law but with a strong interest in the field and litigation experience are also encouraged to apply. The salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Upon eligibility benefits to include:

  • Group Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Prescription, Flexible Spending, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance, Group Universal Life Insurance, Securian Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Health Management Programs.
  • 21 paid vacation days, 15 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, up to 12 weeks paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to support services such as Professional Counseling Services, Legal Services, Financial Services.
  • Employer & Employee Funded Pension Plan as well as an Employee Funded Retirement Savings Plan available.
  • Student loan repayment assistance and forgiveness

Additional Posting Information

The Office of Defense Services The Office of Defense Services is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or veteran status.

Conditions of Hire

  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. 
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via email to ODS_HR@delaware.gov

Application end date: Until filled


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