"Alerted.org

Contracts Administrator

Posting Begin Date: 2025/07/16

Posting End Date: 2025/08/01

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 26.44

Maximum Salary: 26.44

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

State of Idaho Opportunity Contracts Administrator, State Public Defender’s Office Full-time (40 hours) - $55,000 annually

The Idaho State Public Defender (SPD) is a newly created state agency which provides trial representation to indigent criminal defendants pursuant to Idaho Code §§ 19-6005, 19-6009 (effective 10/1/24). The SPD is responsible for all indigent defense cases throughout the State of Idaho, including both juveniles and adults.

The SPD values its employees and offers meaningful work that has a direct impact on citizens across the state. Additionally, the SPD is a qualifying employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

POSITION & RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary role of the Contracts Administrator is to work with the Alternate Counsel Division (ACD) Director and Contracts Coordinator to ensure that when the SPD is appointed to provide legal representation to a client but is unable to because of an ethical or other conflict of interest, a qualified conflict attorney is timely assigned to represent the client as quickly as possible and prior to the next scheduled court hearing absent exceptional circumstances.

This is a non-classified position that reports to the ACD Director and Contracts Coordinator.

Example of Duties

+ Entering Conflict, Post-conviction and Child Protective Act (CPA) cases, as needed, in the case management system in a timely manner;

+ Creating, updating, and maintaining lists of current conflict attorneys;

+ Providing support and assistance to the ACD Director and Contracts Coordinator in selecting and supporting qualified conflict attorneys assigned to represent clients in conflict cases;

+ Monitoring the ACD’s email boxes;

+ Answering the phone, checking voicemail and directing calls and messages to appropriate ACD or SPD staff;

+ Calendaring court hearings, meetings, and out-of-office time for ACD staff, as needed;

+ Ensuring contractors have available information about other parties involved in a case (i.e., co-defendants, complaining witness(es), all parents and children in a CPA case) so they can conduct a conflict check prior to accepting or declining a case assignment;

+ Notifying relevant court personnel and counsel for other parties in a case of the name and contact information of assigned conflict counsel;

+ Establishing and fostering positive relationships with contractors and other stakeholders, including court personnel and conflict counsel support staff;

+ Creating reports for the ACD Director, Contracts Coordinator, and/or SPD management team, upon request;

+ Ensuring the ACD Director and Contracts Coordinator receive, review and approve or deny contractor expenditures, billings, and funding requests in a timely manner;

+ Help identify issues that affect contract counsel and assist in the development of strategies to address them;

+ Assisting with the drafting and sending of correspondence to contractors and/or stakeholders;

+ Documenting, organizing and maintaining contractor information and contractor records;

+ Assisting the ACD with administrative tasks and projects as needed;

+ Fielding client complaints about contractors and obtaining relevant information necessary for the ACD to address those complaints;

+ Working with the ACD Director and Contracts Coordinator and/or SPD management team to create streamlined forms, reports and other communications with contractors;

+ Maintain confidentiality of client information and adhere to ethical standards; and

+ Any other duties as assigned.

Minimum Position Requirements:

• Experience performing general office support functions including word processing, filing, composing official correspondence, answering phone calls and responding to emails

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent time management skills

• Strong record maintenance skills

• Excellent proofreading and editing skills

• Experience using Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with relevant stake holders, including attorneys, court personnel and agency staff;

• Experience independently handling client complaints and listening to concerns about conflict counsel;

• Experience eliciting sensitive information from clients;

• Experience monitoring attorney contracts;

• Ability to contribute to development of operating plans and procedures to support the efficient assignment of qualified attorneys to clients;

• Working knowledge of the indigent defense system in Idaho;

• Proficiency using technology and accessing data using an electronic case management system;

• Prior experience with at-risk populations and a demonstrated ability to relate effectively to a diverse clientele and staff.

BENEFITS

Best Retirement Available in The Nation

The State of Idaho has one of the Nation’s best state retirement systems (PERSI) that offers a lifetime benefit. This position is PERSI Retirement eligible, and the duties correspond to General Member - which means a mandatory employee contribution of 7.18%, while the employer contributes at a higher rate of 11.96%.

Other Excellent Benefits

+ Excellent low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance – employee coverage for PPO $70.74/month for medical and vision and $12.08/month for dental (full-time).

+ Generous vacation and sick leave accrual will begin as soon as you start.

+ Paid parental leave.

+ Eleven paid holidays per year.

+ Multiple retirement savings plans, including optional 401K and Deferred Compensation plan.

+ Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance .

+ Employee Assistance Program .

+ Flexible Spending Accounts .

+ Wellness Programs.

LOCATION

Boise, Idaho

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified applicants who would like to apply for this position must submit the following: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) two references.Application materials should be submitted through the Careers with the State of Idaho website, https://statecareers.idaho.gov/, and not directly to the agency.

For assistance on your application, please contact SPD HR at[email protected].

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

*Benefits may not be applicable for temporary or seasonal positions.