Project Coordinator - Training Department

Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts state public defender agency, is seeking a Project Coordinator to assist the Training Chief with on-going and special projects including coordinating all cross-practice area initiatives.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •   Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one.  The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

TRAINING DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The CPCS Training Department develops and delivers comprehensive, practice-driven education for staff and private assigned counsel across all areas of public defense. Through a team of experienced practice area trainers in Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy, and Mental Health Litigation, the Department provides rigorous substantive instruction alongside advanced skills training that reflects the realities of modern indigent defense practice. Our programming is informed by evolving law, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the lived needs of the clients we serve, and is designed to meet the highest standards of excellence in public defense training nationwide.

In addition to core practice-area offerings, the Department leads agency-wide training initiatives in areas such as: appellate and post-trial advocacy; emerging adult representation; forensic issues; holistic defense; leadership, management, and professional development; and wellness, These integrated training pathways equip attorneys not only with technical legal proficiency, but with the strategic, collaborative, and management competencies required for effective client-centered advocacy. By investing in continuous professional development, the Training Department strengthens the quality, consistency, and impact of representation provided by CPCS staff and private counsel statewide.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Coordinator assists the Training Chief with on-going and special projects. The primary duties of the role are assisting the Training Chief with the oversight and implementation of the training budget and the coordination of all agency-wide training initiatives within the Training Department including: appellate and post-trial advocacy; emerging adult representation; forensic issues; holistic defense; leadership, management, and professional development; and wellness.

The Project Coordinator reports to the Training Chief. 

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate is a person who is highly organized, detail oriented, can see the big picture, and enjoys interacting with people in a friendly work environment.  The person must be able to direct and focus large groups working collaboratively on deadlines. The ideal candidate derives satisfaction from working in an agency whose commitment is to protecting the fundamental legal rights of indigent persons.

The successful candidate must have:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least four (4) years of project experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience; and,
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Strong writing and editorial skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely.  Able to communicate effectively with all staff within the organization and with stakeholders outside the organization;
• Proven ability to complete projects according to outlined scope and timeline;
• Ability to work independently and take initiative and to establish effective working relationships and work as a team;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise considerable judgment and discretion;
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Experience with project management software tools, methodologies, and best practices;
• Able to handle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work;
• Experience in organizational management, including project and data management; and,
• Previous experience in a legal setting a plus.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Project Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting the Training Chief in the oversight and implementation of the training budget;
• Ensuring efficient operation of the Training Department by managing on-going and special projects, particularly those of the agency-wide training groups;
• Maintaining systems for data collection and statistical analysis of Training Department programs;
• Working with the Training Chief and Agency-Wide Training Group Chairs by defining objectives, constructing detailed work plans and budgets, managing teams, and keeping projects on-track and within budget;
• Designing and conducting surveys to measure training effectiveness;
• Preparing and presenting progress updates to appropriate management (Training Chief and Agency-Wide Training Groups and Chairs) on a regular basis;
• Developing and updating resource materials for the Training Department web site, learning management systems, and knowledge management system;
• Assisting the Training Chief in researching and writing grants to that may support Training Department initiatives;
• Working collaboratively with in the Training Department to develop and present agency-wide training; and,
• Other duties as assigned.   

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies.  Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.