Administrative Officer

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER – NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

Posted : November 3, 2025

Closes : Open Until Filled

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of New Jersey (FPD) seeks an Administrative Officer . We have three staffed offices—Newark, Trenton, and Camden—and pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, client-centered defense. The Administrative Officer reports to the Federal Public Defender and plays a central leadership role in advancing our mission.

About Us : Under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, our office provides high-quality legal representation to indigent individuals in federal criminal cases and related matters. The Federal Public Defender represents clients in federal trial matters, direct appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, petitions for writs of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, habeas corpus litigation, and ancillary proceedings. We also support and help train CJA Panel Attorneys. Our main office is in Newark, with branch offices in Trenton and Camden.

Position Overview : The Administrative Officer manages administrative operations across three office locations and a staff of more than 50 employees and interns. The position oversees budget and finance, human resources, procurement, property and space management, internal controls, and compliance with judiciary policies. The Administrative Officer supervises administrative personnel, serves as a key advisor to the Federal Defender, and ensures efficient, ethical, and mission-focused operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

Administration & Supervision

• Oversee daily operations, policy development, process improvement, and strategic planning.
• Train, supervise, and support administrative, HR, financial, and IT personnel.
• Maintain internal controls for financial, procurement, property, and HR functions.
• Analyze the impact of new policies and develop strategies to sustain effective operations.

Budget & Finance

Human Resources

Procurement & Property Management

QUALIFICATIONS

The Administrative Officer is a trusted and reliable professional with sound judgment, a heart for public service, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and teamwork. The ideal candidate will be able to work both independently and collaboratively, exercise discretion and confidentiality, and perform all responsibilities with the utmost ethics and integrity. The Administrative Officer must understand and value effective administration, financial stewardship, human resources best practices, and strong internal controls. The candidate should bring a working knowledge—or a demonstrable ability to learn—core operational areas, including budget and financial management, HR, procurement, information technology coordination, space and facilities, property management, and records administration. Above all, they are committed to supporting the mission of the Federal Defender’s Office and to strengthening the systems that allow our attorneys, investigators, and staff to provide the highest quality representation to indigent clients in federal court.

Successful candidates will have the ability to :

Preferred Qualifications

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

We strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and lived experiences, including those historically underrepresented in the legal profession. We believe our work is stronger, more just, and more compassionate when every voice is valued.

How to Apply :

Email a single PDF containing a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to :

NJFPDResume@fd.org

You must reference “Administrative Officer” in the subject line. Only applications submitted in the required format will be considered. No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation.

The Office of the Federal Public Defender follows an Employee Dispute Resolution Plan approved by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to quality representation, diversity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.