Capital Area Private Defender Service

Administrative assistant


The Capital Area Private Defender Service (CAPDS) is a 501(c)(3) organization charged with improving the quality of indigent criminal defense in Travis County through supporting, managing, and training court-assigned attorneys. We are seeking a full-time administrative assistant with a commitment to ensuring CAPDS achieves its goals. This new member of our team will be our primary outward-facing representative for clients, families, stakeholders, and the public.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Serve as primary contact point for external communication by answering and returning calls, assisting guests in our office, and serving as the office receptionist
  • Coordinate, interpret, and respond to inquiries by telephone, mail, e-mail, etc., either directly or by appropriate referral
  • Track projects assigned to staff members for timely submission
  • Coordinate organization meetings
  • Prepare travel budgets, travel vouchers, and time sheets
  • Oversee upkeep of office equipment, furnishings, and supplies.
  • Prepare correspondence, reports, forms, and materials such as presentations and external communication
  • Develop, coordinate, and maintain record keeping and filing systems including confidential files and imaged documents
  • Assist with general human resources work
  • Assist with the coordination and management of special projects, events, and training
  • Assist with designing and implementing new policies, procedures, and training to improve organization efficiency
  • Responsible for the delivery and pick-up of items, as necessary
  • Communicate with a high degree of professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality
  • Record and transcribe notes from meetings and hearings
  • Perform related work as assigned


​Requirements:

  • Spanish Fluency (strongly preferred)
  • Ability to communicate effectively and empathically with clients, families of clients, court staff, and attorneys
  • Ability to multitask while maintaining attention to detail
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines in a busy nonprofit office environment
  • Flexibility and willingness to use creative problem-solving skills
  • Competency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and ability to learn new computer programs quickly
  • Prior experience as an executive assistant, administrative assistant, or similar work for a minimum of one year
  • Effective oral and written communication
  • Skilled in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
  • Ability to work independently and reliably
  • Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback


Salary commensurate with experience, in a range of $42,500 - $47,000. Compensation includes employer-paid health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurances, as well as an employer-funded retirement plan and generous leave policy.

Please apply by sending brief statement regarding your interest and resume in one document, addressed to Executive Director Bradley Hargis, to: jobs @ capds.org. Place “administrative assistant” in the subject line. Priority given to applications received by October 31, 2022. Position is open until filled. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

CAPDS is an equal opportunity employer that values equity and diversity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,500 - $47,000 per year




Post-Conviction Staff Attorney


The Capital Area Private Defender Service (CAPDS) is a non-profit dedicated to improving indigent defense based in Austin, Texas. CAPDS’s post-conviction unit, which includes The Forensic Project, reviews and litigates wrongful conviction cases in Travis County. Recently, CAPDS received a grant from the United States Department of Justice to expand its post-conviction program. CAPDS seeks a mid-level staff attorney to join its Wrongful Conviction Project. The grant will fund the staff attorney position for approximately two years.

The staff attorney will work to identify, investigate, and litigate wrongful conviction cases in Travis County. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and self-directed individual with criminal defense/innocence project/post-conviction experience and a demonstrated commitment to excellent, client-centered representation.


The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:


  • The candidate must be licensed to practice law in Texas by the start date;
  • Minimum of three years of post-conviction/innocence work experience;
  • Demonstrated commitment to client-centered indigent defense;
  • Knowledge of national standards for defense investigation;
  • Demonstrated high-quality research and writing skills;
  • Demonstrated diligence and initiative to set and accomplish goals and meet deadlines;
  • Experience working with diverse populations;
  • Knowledge of Texas habeas law and practice;
  • Willingness to travel; and
  • Fluency in Spanish is preferred.


Primary responsibilities:

  • Review and screen cases for indication of wrongful conviction;
  • Conduct thorough post-conviction investigations;
  • Engage in post-conviction discovery through public records requests and motions practice;
  • Draft pleadings and briefs;
  • Communicate with clients;
  • Maintain highest standards of advocacy, professional responsibility, client-centered representation and best practices in all areas of post-conviction review and representation;
  • Keep abreast of legal opinions, legislative updates, forensic science developments and evolving best practices; and
  • Document and track time and reporting milestones.


The salary range for this position is $80,000 – 85,000 depending on experience. Generous benefits package includes health, dental, retirement, and other benefits. This is a two-year position that is subject to renewal.

To apply, please email Stacie Lieberman, Director of Post-Conviction Programs, at jobs@capds.org. Please include in one document a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and professional references. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, however priority will be given to applicants who apply before May 20, 2023. CAPDS is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All candidates are encouraged to apply.