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    Public Defender Leadership/Supervisory Position

    Executive Director

    Expires: 2025-09-29
    Organization
    The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS)
    Job Status
    Full Time
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    Topeka, KS

    Executive Director:
    The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS) is accepting applications for its
    next Executive Director (ED).

    The ED serves as the chief authority of BIDS and is responsible for the overall leadership and day-
    to-day administration of the Kansas Public Defense System. While the ED works in alignment
    with the policies and strategic direction set by the BIDS Board, the position operates independently
    and does not receive direct, day-to-day oversight. The ED’s work is guided by state and federal
    laws, constitutional mandates, administrative regulations, and established policies. Assignments
    to the ED are given by the BIDS Board and are made at a broad level. Assignments focus on long-
    term goals, compliance mandates, systemic improvements, and high-level operational oversight.
    The ED is expected to determine the specific approach and manage the execution of objectives
    without supervision.

    The Mission:
    BIDS, through its regional public defender offices and its assigned counsel program, represents
    adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public
    defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and
    collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.
    BIDS is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on
    interdisciplinary team-based collaboration. This model uses community connections and
    resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.
    We are looking for a dynamic, client-centered advocate who is passionate about public defense
    and is interested in aiding our efforts to transform BIDS into a model of collaborative public
    defense practice.

    Responsibilities:
    The ED serves as the head of BIDS and holds full responsibility for the leadership, direction, and
    administration of the Kansas Public Defense System.
    As the head of the agency, the ED is the public face of the Kansas Public Defense System andprovides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and policy direction for the entire system,
    which includes all regional public defender offices and the private assigned counsel program. The
    ED operates independently and does not receive direct oversight, functioning as the final decision-
    making authority on all agency matters. The ED directly supervises all Chief Public Defenders
    across the state (currently 18 in total) and leads the Executive Leadership Team within the BIDS
    Administrative Office. The Executive Leadership Team includes the General Counsel, Chief Fiscal
    Officer, Director of Human Resources, Special Projects Director, Training Director, Lead IT
    Consultant, and Legal Assistant to the Director. Together, under the ED’s leadership, this team
    supports the agency’s mission to ensure the effective delivery of constitutionally mandated legal
    defense services throughout Kansas. Occasional travel is required.
    The ED duties include but are not limited to the following:

    • Lead the Board’s comprehensive annual budget process for the $60 M+ executive branch agency.
    This includes the meticulous development of the budget, assessment of current resource needs,
    prioritization of requests, written budget preparation for the Board, and budget advocacy to the
    Division of Budget, the Governor, and the Legislature.
    • Work closely with the BIDS Executive Leadership team to establish strategic projects and
    partnerships to continue to improve the quality of and access to public defense services throughout
    the state.
    • Continuously assess the agency’s operational and programmatic resource needs including
    staffing, funding, and infrastructure with ability to reallocate resources strategically to meet
    evolving priorities, approve expenditures in alignment with budgetary goals, and advocate for
    additional resources through appropriate legislative and policy channels.
    • Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources, General Counsel, and Chief Public Defenders
    to address and resolve HR matters, including personnel management, compliance, and
    organizational development.
    • Collaborate with the BIDS Training Department to ensure that all participants in the Kansas
    Public Defense System receive training on best practices and the most up-to-date developments in
    criminal defense practice.
    • Respond to media inquiries and requests for information under KOMA and KORA.
    • Work collaboratively with external legal system stakeholders such as with court leadership, other
    state agencies, the Governor’s Office, Legislative members, District and County Attorneys, and
    other legal system stakeholders.
    • Ensure BIDS clients have access to ethical and constitutionally zealous defense services across
    the state through the monitoring and maintenance of workload standards in collaboration with the
    Chief Public Defenders and assigned counsel throughout the state and the implementation of a
    weighted caseload system within the public defender offices.
    • Ensure BIDS Mission, Vision, and Values are at the heart of the decision-making throughout theagency.
    • Act as a liaison with other statewide and national legal and public defense organizations such as
    the Kansas Bar Association, the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National
    Association for Public Defense, and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.
    • Provide periodic updates to the agency on issues of employee and agency concern.
    • Provide the BIDS Board with periodic updates on issues of agency concern, compile and publish
    reports on the agency’s work, and work with the Board to develop policies and strategies to align
    the agency’s resources and the Board’s goals.
    • Center well-being practices as an ethical cornerstone of sustainable public defense practice within
    the agency.
    • Perform other duties as needed.

    Requirements
    Education and Experience: • Graduate from an ABA accredited law school. • Licensed attorney who is active and in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment. • At least 5 years of experience in criminal defense and 2 years in an executive leadership role preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and decision-making skills supported by strong emotional intelligence; • Clear and effective communication skills, both verbal and written; • Demonstrated expertise with advocacy and stakeholder engagement; • Ability to confidentially manage information with demonstrated ethical and professional conduct at all times; • Excellent crisis management, problem solving, and analytical skills; • Ability to lead with integrity, empathy, and cultural competence; • Demonstrated leadership success in the fields of criminal justice, public defense, and other social justice issues and the clear embrace of the principles of zealous advocacy and client-centered defense representation; • Proven experience developing, adhering, and adjusting to a long-term strategic plan; • Demonstrated expertise in budget development and financial oversight of an organization; • High level of organizational and administrative expertise, with the ability to manage a wide range of detail-intensive tasks efficiently and accurately in a fast-paced, high- demand environment; • Demonstrated ability to successfully develop, positively coach, and appropriately supervise employees (including supervision of remote staff); • Ability to treat every client, employee, colleague, and other justice system stakeholders with dignity and respect; • An interest in teaching and a willingness to assist others with developing a better understanding of BIDS’ mission, its constitutional underpinnings, and the consequences of its work within the larger Kansas judicial system; • Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information; • Sophisticated technical competency with standard word processing, spreadsheet programs, and data management systems, and a basic knowledge of computer usage in a network environment and common cybersecurity considerations; • Ability and willingness to occasionally travel to other work locations throughout Kansas and to out-of-state conferences. Conditions of Employment: • Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas. Attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire. • Must have a valid driver’s license. • All employment is subject to the Governor’s salary approval. Salary and Benefits: Compensation for this position ranges from $95,000 up to $150,000. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications. We are happy to discuss salary expectations with interested applicants. The State of Kansas offers a comprehensive employment benefits package for benefits-eligible staff, which includes: • Comprehensive medical coverage is available through the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) and is effective on the first day of employment. Available coverage includes medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision benefits, as well as access to tax-advantage accounts such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts • Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance • SEHP members and their covered dependents have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services • The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to benefits eligible staff, their family members living in the same household, or dependent children. The EAP provides information, short-term counseling, advice, and referrals from licensed professionals • KPERS mandatory retirement plan and optional KPERS 457 plan (deferred compensation) • Sick & vacation leave • Work-life balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury duty leave, and funeral leave • Ten paid state holidays • Discretionary Day (Subject to annual approval of Governor) • Fitness centers in select locations • Employee discounts through the STAR Program Required Application Materials: • Cover letter • Resume • List of three professional references • If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, please also include your DD214 Send cover letter, resume, list of three professional references, and DD214 (if applicable) by email to Shawn Keeling: Shawn Keeling Human Resources Professional, Administration Office State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services bidsrecruiter@sbids.org When emailing application materials, please include “BIDS Executive Director” in your email subject line. Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; position is open until filled. However, priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit their application materials by 5:00 p.m. on June 11, 2025. Please note that an offer of employment is contingent upon the fulfillment of the following pre- employment conditions: • Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date. • Governor’s salary approval. Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required: Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain andsubmit a valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter to the hiring agency by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue’s website at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/default.aspx. A Tax Clearance Certificate is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual’s account is compliant with all primary Kansas tax laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov. How to Claim Veterans Preference: Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran” under K.S.A. 73- 201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager. Learn more about claiming Veterans’ Preference Equal Employment Opportunity: The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job. If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
    Job Contact
    Shawn Keeling
    bidsrecruiter@sbids.org