The anticipated start date for this position will be on or after September 26, 2022.

The purpose of this classification is to supervise operations and activities of the Indigent Defense Department, to including coordinating day-to-day administration of the Indigent Defense Program for the Bell-Forsyth judicial circuit. The position is responsible for implementation and monitoring the policies of the Forsyth County Tripartite Committee and management and oversight of the Forsyth County Indigent Defense Office. The Director operates under the general direction of the Forsyth County Tripartite Committee and reports to the Forsyth County Chief Financial Officer. This is an “at will” appointed position and is not covered under Civil Service provisions.

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; interviews and hires new employees; conducts training activities.

Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.

Ensures division compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Supervises operations and activities of the Indigent Defense Department; coordinates and participates in administration of the Indigent Defense Program for the Bell-Forsyth judicial circuit; performs the duties of subordinate staff members in absence of same or as needed.

Consults with Judges and other officials to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations; prepares monthly reports for circuit judges; attends meetings of Board of Commissioners.

Develops, updates, and implements departmental policies and procedures.

Develops, submits, and implements departmental budget; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; reviews and approves invoices and vouchers.

Prepares and submits documents to the Georgia Indigent Defense Council for State reimbursement distributions.

Oversees and assists with administration of the Indigent Defense Program; advises defendants as to their legal right to legal representation; attends first appearance hearings at jail; submits defendants’ documents in court and schedules indigency interviews for them; interviews defendants to obtain personal/financial information; investigates personal/financial information and defendants’ financial status, indigent status, and eligibility for court-appointed counsel; approves and/or makes appointments of attorneys to represent indigent defendants; counsels defendants and families regarding the judicial/court system; establishes billing policies/procedures for court-appointed attorneys; reviews/approves court reporter billings and attorney billing vouchers on indigent cases as well as investigator and expert witness vouchers.

Attends court hearings/proceedings as appropriate; attends jury/non-jury court sessions in Superior and State Courts; testifies at court hearings regarding investigations, policies, procedures, or other issues; observes performance of staff members during hearings/proceedings.

Monitors status of cases and manages case files; establishes/updates case files and enters case information into computerized case management system; researches and updates records as needed; monitors status of cases throughout the court process; notifies judges of status of indigent defense cases; provides caseload management and develop performance standards for Panel Attorneys, including determining the methods of providing indigent defense services in the appellate courts.

Maintains list of court-appointed attorneys for the judicial system; reviews and approves attorney resumes prior to placement on appointed list; prescribes minimum experience, training, and other qualifications for Panel Attorneys and participate in training on the various delivery systems to attorneys and others as needed; monitors performance for all appointed counsel and provide recommendations to the Forsyth County Tripartite Committee on necessary changes to systems including Panel Attorneys.

Consults with professional organizations concerning the implementation and improvement for programs for providing indigent services. Performs administrative tasks; interprets court orders; coordinates availability of interpreters and reviews/approves billing; provides current information for publication on web site; creates forms/documents utilized within the department; reviews/approves time sheets and leave requests; monitors available leave time; reviews/approves mileage expense reimbursement forms; approves electronic monitoring companies for use by the courts.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, budget documents, grant applications, grant reports, performance evaluations, payroll documents, attorney interview records, attorney appointment forms, bond condition orders, drug/alcohol test reports, case status reports, policies, procedures, or other documents.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, sending/receiving faxes, making copies, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor's degree in any field plus six months of in-house paralegal training. Five (5) years of law-related experience that includes six (6) months of in-house paralegal training or Two (2) years of paralegal training within a law firm and possess a National Association of Legal Assistants Certified Paralegal or /Certified Legal Assistant certification. or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school; supplemented by five (5) years previous experience and/or training that includes criminal law practice in the State of Georgia, criminal justice system operations, court procedures, pre-trial investigation, indigent defense program administration, case management, budget administration, supervision, and personal computer operations; experience in criminal law practice in the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit for no less than five years; experience in criminal defense practice in the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit; and experience in managing a small to medium-sized staff. Must possess or be able to possess and maintain membership in the State Bar of Georgia.

BENEFITS PROVIDED BY FORSYTH COUNTY TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES:

Personal Leave Accrual

Personal leave shall be accrued as follows:

0 – 1 Year - 12 days per year - 3.68 hours per pay period
1 - 4 Years - 20 days per year - 6.16 hours per pay period
5 - 14 Years - 25 days per year - 7.70 hours per pay period
15+Years - 30 days per year - 9.24 hours per pay period

Observed Holidays

New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).

Medical Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers employees a choice of two medical plans offered by Aetna and a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente.

• Aetna Choice POS II - $2000 Individual Deductible (Basic Plan)
• Aetna Choice POS II - $1000 Individual Deductible (Plus Plan)
• Kaiser Permanente HMO- $0 Individual Deductible

Dental Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers two dental plans from Delta Dental:

• Base $1,000 Plan
• Buy-Up $1,500 Plan

Vision Insurance
The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts.

Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit.

Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long Term
100% paid by Forsyth County. Eligibility begins date of hire.

Short Term Disability – 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks.

Long Term Disability – 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation).

Additional Life Insurance and AD&D
Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children.

Retirement Plan (401K)

Fully vested at five years of employment – 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire.

6 mos to 3 yrs – County matches 100% of a max 5% of employee gross contributions

3 yrs to 10 yrs – County contributes 5% of base salary & County matches 100% of a max of 5% of gross employee contributions

Over 10 yrs – County contributes 5% base & County matches 100% of a max of 5% of gross employee contributions & County matches 50% of next 5% of gross employee contributions