OPD is seeking a Hiring, Recruitment & Retention Supervisor to oversee and strengthen our hiring, onboarding, talent development, and engagement initiatives.
The Orleans Public Defenders Office provides holistic, community-based representation in New Orleans. We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered team model that puts the client first and takes a 360-degree approach to our advocacy and representation. We recognize our clients are unique individuals and work to address their needs both in the court and out. Our diverse staff includes adult and juvenile attorneys; social workers; client, youth and parent advocates; investigators, and administrators all working together for equal justice for our clients, their families, our community, and a better New Orleans. In short, we protect innocence, defend the constitution, demand justice, and hold power accountable.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
The Hiring, Recruitment & Retention Supervisor will oversee all hiring and recruitment efforts for OPD, helping to attract and employ top candidates across all divisions. Under the supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Supervisor will work with division supervisors to recruit, interview, hire, and onboard new OPD staff. The Supervisor will be responsible for making sure that the people who come to work for OPD care about our clients and our community. In addition, they will build and maintain relationships with organizations in New Orleans and beyond to help OPD connect with strong candidates whenever positions open up.
More specifically, the Hiring, Recruitment & Retention Supervisor duties include:
• Self-driven Recruiting & Hiring: Manage the recruitment and hiring of all new team members – attorneys, investigators, administrative staff, client advocates, social workers, law clerks, and interns. Oversee OPD’s hiring committees within each division. Track applicants, develop interview questions, and schedule interviews with candidates on behalf of hiring committees. Develop and implement effective recruitment practices that will attract a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates for each role. This position will be overseeing other staff members who voluntarily help with hiring processes but will primarily be working independently.
• Applicant Communications: Usher candidates through the hiring and selection process, providing timely, clear communication about their application status.
• Recruiting Events & OPD Representation: Attend job fairs, interviewing opportunities, and other recruiting and hiring events on OPD’s behalf. Interact with event staff and attendees, build relationships with organizations, and use these events as opportunities for recruitment.
• Hiring and Retention Analysis: Maintain and analyze recruitment and retention data and information to optimize future hiring and retention strategies and processes.
• Onboarding: Strengthen current onboarding processes to include establishing and tracking new employee goals and performance measures in conjunction with the new employee’s supervisor. Coordinate with Deputy Chief and Training Director to implement unified talent development and an initial training program for all new staff members.
• Community Engagement: Network, build relationships, and foster partnerships with community, law schools, colleagues, and other organizations to generate qualified and diverse candidates for all types of positions. Serve as a professional, thoughtful representative of our organization within the community and beyond.
• Complete other HR and retention tasks as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience & Background: 7+ years of professional experience in law, public defense, government, nonprofit, or relevant paralegal work, including at least 3 years of supervisory or people management experience. Experience in high-volume organizations is preferred. Demonstrated commitment to working with and serving indigent clients and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Credentials & Professional Expertise: Paralegal certificate or equivalent professional experience in complex legal casework. Additional training or certification in criminal law, trial preparation, or case management systems is a plus.
• Program Development: Demonstrated experience launching or scaling new programs, teams, or systems within a mission-driven organization. Experience designing and implementing workflows, case management processes, or data-tracking tools. Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills. Experience developing training programs, quality-assurance procedures, or metrics to improve team efficiency is preferred.
• Communication: Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across divisions and manage change in a complex organization.
• Legal Knowledge & Training: Deep understanding of criminal defense processes and working knowledge of, or willingness to learn, relevant Louisiana criminal law and procedure, and to train others in these areas. Familiarity with Louisiana rules of discovery, court filing procedures, or trial preparation practices is highly desirable.
COMPENSATION:
• This is a full-time position.
• Salary: $63,500–$83,500, commensurate with experience.
• OPD offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave (vacation, sick, and parental leave, as well as local, state and federal paid holidays), employer-paid health insurance, retirement contributions, available life insurance, and professional development opportunities.
TO APPLY:
Qualified and interested applicants please complete the online application here and submit all of the following:
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three professional references (with relationship description and preferred contact information)
Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to applications submitted on or before March 6, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For questions about the hiring or application process, please contact Hannah Basalone at .
OPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is needed at any time during the hiring process, please contact Sharee Garnett, Director of Human Resources, at or 504-827-8179.
OPD is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or genetic information.
OPD’s mission is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation, reforming the system and partnering with the community. OPD is committed to representation that respects the humanity and dignity of those within the criminal legal system.
