The Office of Indigent Defense Services seeks a qualified Contracts Administrator to develop, negotiate, enter into, and administer contracts with individual attorneys, law firms, and non-profits for indigent representation throughout North Carolina, primarily through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. (Please find the basic job description and requirements below, or for more info and to apply, please visit here.)
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Assist in evaluation of proposals received in response to RFPs, including coordinating the selection committee(s).
For small contracts not subject to the RFP requirements, work with Regional Defenders, local bars, and judicial officials to identify qualified attorneys and to develop and enter into contracts on behalf of IDS.
Establish quality and cost measures to evaluate contracts.
Monitor case reporting systems; work with IDS’ Information Technology Director to maintain and enhance an on-line contractor case reporting system; and collect and analyze data from contractors.
Develop appropriate policies governing contractors and staff relevant committees of the Indigent Defense Services (IDS) Commission that deal with issues relevant to contracts.
Monitor payments to contractors and assist with resolving problems or disputes with contractors; and work with Regional Defenders to monitor attorney performance through data analysis and site visits.
Assist with developing lists of qualified attorneys for appointment on a case-by-case basis and supervising, evaluating, and monitoring indigent representation around the state.
Draft and enter contracts related to general IDS office operations as needed; and perform other duties as assigned.
The successful candidate will be flexible and able to work well with a multi-disciplinary team.
This position reports to the IDS Assistant Director and requires occasional travel across the state. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Knowledge of: the NC judicial system; criminal sentencing; methods of providing legal services to indigent defendants and respondents; and contracts and contract administration.
Skills in: contract management; developing service delivery systems and identifying the infrastructure to support those systems; both quantitative and qualitative data analysis; database development and long-term management; on-line survey programs such as SurveyMonkey; and Microsoft Excel.
Ability to: effectively communicate in oral and written form; establish and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships; learn new programs and systems; work well with a multi-disciplinary team; and effectively work with groups of diverse interests.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Management prefers candidates with a Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school with a license to practice law in North Carolina or Master’s Degree in Public Administration or related field and three (3) years of relevant experience. Management will consider applicants with a four-year college/university degree and five (5) years of relevant experience. Relevant experience includes:
managing contracts for a public defense, criminal justice, or public sector organization; or oversight of management systems for a public defense, criminal justice, or public sector organization.
experience in the defense of criminal or other cases under IDS’ oversight is a plus.
Describe in your cover letter a new software system or application you learned in the past year and how you went about learning the new software system or application. Your cover letter should also describe any experience you have with the design, use, or evaluation of work-related databases or other software tools.
Attach cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact information for two (2) professional references.
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