Job Summary – Why you’ll love this position
The Missouri State Public Defender System (MSPD) is seeking a collaborative and mission-driven Holistic Defense Services (HDS) Deputy to assist in the management and development of holistic services across Missouri. This is a leadership role reporting to the Director of Client Advocacy, responsible for helping guide the HDS unit in advancing MSPD’s commitment to providing client-centered, comprehensive representation.
HDS works to address the underlying issues that lead to clients’ involvement in the criminal legal system—such as mental health, substance use, housing instability, and poverty—while supporting pretrial release efforts and mitigation advocacy. As Deputy, you will help supervise and support staff, shape best practices, and contribute to meaningful systemic change through data-informed services.
This position may be based in either Columbia, MO or St. Louis, MO, with regular statewide travel required—particularly to offices in Eastern Missouri.
Responsibilities – What you’ll do
Assist the Director of Client Advocacy in the overall management of the Holistic Defense Services unit
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate HDS staff, interns, and volunteers
Support the implementation of MSPD policies and goals throughout the unit
Provide coaching and performance feedback, and assist in resolving personnel matters
Maintain a limited caseload as determined by the Director of Client Advocacy
Develop and support best practices for pretrial advocacy, mitigation, and reentry services
Participate in the collection and analysis of data to evaluate impact and guide improvements
Travel regularly to MSPD offices across the state to provide in-person support
Qualifications – All you need for success
Required Education and Experience:
Master’s in Social Work
Clinical Licensure in Missouri (preferred)
Experience in social work, particularly in forensic or holistic defense settings
Candidates who are licensed attorneys in Missouri or eligible for licensure are encouraged to apply
Social work experience in areas such as mental and behavioral health, poverty, housing instability, or outreach is strongly preferred
Management or supervisory experience is preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of criminal law, procedure, and issues of mental health and competency
Strong understanding of holistic defense principles and the intersection of social work and public defense
Familiarity with MSPD structure and operations is preferred
Effective leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills
Ability to communicate clearly, manage multiple priorities, and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, attorneys, and stakeholders across the state
Job Details – More reasons to love this position
This is a full-time position that can be based in Columbia or St. Louis. The successful candidate will receive competitive compensation and State of Missouri benefits that include a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Learn more about benefits at https://publicdefender.mo.gov/employment/working-for-mspd/benefits/ Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found https://pers.oa.mo.gov/applicants .
*Please Note: This position is contingent upon approved funding. Final hiring decisions are subject to the approval and availability of allocated funds.