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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 – No Current Openings

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

Contract Attorney – Truancy Defense Project Grant – LIMITED TERM (2 years)

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 three-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

The Office of Defense Services’ Public Defender’s Office seeks a motivated and enthusiastic attorney to join our Young Adult Unit, at 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, representing young adults and juveniles charged as adults, and will include reverse amenability proceedings. Job duties will also include 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

Kent County Open Positions

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

Full-Time Forensic Social Specialist

The Office of Defense Service’s Public Defender Unit is seeking a highly motivated, organized, Masters Level human service professional for a full-time Forensic Social Specialist position in the Sussex County Forensic Social Services (FSS) Unit.

Essential Functions

The Forensic Social Specialist will provide assessment, mitigation and treatment service referrals to Public Defender clients. The Forensic Social Specialist will provide mitigation and support services to assist the attorneys in gathering background information, conducting evaluations, providing mitigation and implementing treatment and alternative sentencing plans as part of the Public Defender defense team.

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:

  • Interviews clients, family members, treatment providers and DOC personnel
  • Provides support services, which can include referrals to mental health treatment, employment, and housing services
  • Coordinates with community-based treatment providers and the criminal justice system
  • Writes mitigation reports and treatment plans for case resolution
  • Gathers and reviews records and assists with reentry efforts
  • Collaborates with attorneys as members of the defense team

Job Requirements

The candidate must possess:

  • A Master’s Degree in a human service field
  • Strong assessment, writing, speaking, interpersonal skills and clinical skills.
  • The ability to recognize and analyze problems and recommend practical solutions.
  • Interviewing experience and knowledge of applicable interviewing techniques
  • The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-driven environment
  • Skill and ability in managing multiple projects at once.

Benefits

  • 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, and 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.

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 Deadline: March 11th, 2024


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