Travis County
Office Manager/Office Manager Sr. - Public Defender’s Office
Travis County, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Office Manager – Public Defender’s Office
Job Summary
The Travis County Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people, including youth and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability, accused of criminal offenses via its three divisions—General Adult, Juvenile and Mental Health. Salary Information
$65,083.20 – $87,089.60 annually, depending on qualifications Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities are performed within the setting of a law office. The Office Manager will be guided on and is expected to maintain privileged and/or confidential information of which the Office Manager may occasionally become aware, in the same manner as is expected of attorneys. Provides day-to-day management over the administrative and operational functions within a department. Manages operations to meet deadlines. Advises the elected official or department head of issues. Leads the administrative onboarding process for staff and interns. Orients new staff to county and departmental systems and policies. Supplies staff with items and information needed for their position. Implements office administrative policies and procedures and makes recommendations for improvement. Answers questions on policies and procedures. Evaluates operations and makes recommendations for improvement. Handles and resolves personnel management issues. Develops and/or assists in the development of performance standards and measures to ensure resources are allocated effectively. Evaluates, implements, and makes recommendations on processes, policies, procedures, and systems to improve office operations and ensure the department operates at maximum efficiency. Establishes and/or assists in establishing policies and procedures for the department. Researches, monitors, and ensures implementation of changes in applicable laws, regulations, and directives that impact the department. Ensures compliance with current policies, procedures, and regulations. Oversees efficient operations of departmental records management, including files, reports, and storage. Approves timesheets and leave requests for department staff. Facilitates the FMLA and paid parental leave processes. Processes all compensation and position changes. Answers questions about employee benefits and enrollment. Manages, plans, delegates, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the work of support staff, and reviews their work involving well-defined procedures. May hire, orient, and train support staff. May make recommendations on merit increases, disciplinary actions, and dismissals. Schedules substitute coverage or acts as backup for all staff. Drafts and posts open positions for recruitment. Processes incoming applications, coordinates application reviews, schedules interviews, and communicates with candidates regarding application status. Performs complex administrative assistant tasks. Prepares calendars and schedules. May prepare correspondence for the elected official or department head. Makes recommendations regarding budget requirements for staffing and equipment needs. Monitors personal services budgets and/or operating budget expenditures. Ensures contracting and purchasing procedures are followed. May prepare purchase orders and order equipment and supplies. Oversees the receipt and deposit of fees and fines collected. May develop and implement departmental accounting and financial oversight systems to monitor and safeguard budgets, revenues, and purchases. Compiles comprehensive reports. May prepare and/or assist in preparing annual budget documents. Establishes budgetary needs and forecasts service revenue. Works with agencies on statistical reports and inquiries. Ensures building maintenance is completed. Works with support departments to ensure facilities are properly maintained. Continuously evaluates operations and makes recommendations for improvements. Evaluates computer needs and makes recommendations for automation. Provides information and advice concerning specialized or technical services and related office functions, including responding to and resolving difficult issues, client inquiries, complaints, and questions raised by the public or subordinates. May represent the county by attending meetings, community meetings, seminars, conferences, and professional association meetings. Participates in private organizations and serves on related committees. Works with county departments and outside agencies to share information and address issues. May serve as the department liaison. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements
Office Manager Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Government, Political Science, Criminal Justice, or a directly related field AND at least four (4) years of professional experience in a broad administrative support function, including one (1) year of mid- to senior-level supervisory or management experience. Office Manager Sr. Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Government, Political Science, Criminal Justice, or a directly related field AND at least five (5) years of professional experience in a broad administrative support function, including two (2) years of mid- to senior-level supervisory or management experience. OR any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience, and that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Preferred
Bilingual in English and Spanish. Applications with a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in the position are preferred. Please address why you are interested in joining the Public Defender’s Office specifically. Work Environment & Other Information
The Public Defender’s Office is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities, and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant’s experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization. Applicants should be able to work and communicate effectively across lines of difference. Physical requirements include the ability to lift and carry up to 20–50 pounds occasionally; visual acuity; speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination; and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Work may involve standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, squatting, and client or customer contact to perform the essential functions. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Essential duties, functions, responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. This position is anticipated to start in February 2026. Please attach a resume to the application. Post-offer criminal background check required. Seniority Level
Mid-Senior level Employment Type
Full-time Job Function
Administrative Industries
Government Administration Location
1010 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 Department
Public Defender’s Office
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Summary
The Travis County Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people, including youth and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability, accused of criminal offenses via its three divisions—General Adult, Juvenile and Mental Health. Salary Information
$65,083.20 – $87,089.60 annually, depending on qualifications Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities are performed within the setting of a law office. The Office Manager will be guided on and is expected to maintain privileged and/or confidential information of which the Office Manager may occasionally become aware, in the same manner as is expected of attorneys. Provides day-to-day management over the administrative and operational functions within a department. Manages operations to meet deadlines. Advises the elected official or department head of issues. Leads the administrative onboarding process for staff and interns. Orients new staff to county and departmental systems and policies. Supplies staff with items and information needed for their position. Implements office administrative policies and procedures and makes recommendations for improvement. Answers questions on policies and procedures. Evaluates operations and makes recommendations for improvement. Handles and resolves personnel management issues. Develops and/or assists in the development of performance standards and measures to ensure resources are allocated effectively. Evaluates, implements, and makes recommendations on processes, policies, procedures, and systems to improve office operations and ensure the department operates at maximum efficiency. Establishes and/or assists in establishing policies and procedures for the department. Researches, monitors, and ensures implementation of changes in applicable laws, regulations, and directives that impact the department. Ensures compliance with current policies, procedures, and regulations. Oversees efficient operations of departmental records management, including files, reports, and storage. Approves timesheets and leave requests for department staff. Facilitates the FMLA and paid parental leave processes. Processes all compensation and position changes. Answers questions about employee benefits and enrollment. Manages, plans, delegates, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the work of support staff, and reviews their work involving well-defined procedures. May hire, orient, and train support staff. May make recommendations on merit increases, disciplinary actions, and dismissals. Schedules substitute coverage or acts as backup for all staff. Drafts and posts open positions for recruitment. Processes incoming applications, coordinates application reviews, schedules interviews, and communicates with candidates regarding application status. Performs complex administrative assistant tasks. Prepares calendars and schedules. May prepare correspondence for the elected official or department head. Makes recommendations regarding budget requirements for staffing and equipment needs. Monitors personal services budgets and/or operating budget expenditures. Ensures contracting and purchasing procedures are followed. May prepare purchase orders and order equipment and supplies. Oversees the receipt and deposit of fees and fines collected. May develop and implement departmental accounting and financial oversight systems to monitor and safeguard budgets, revenues, and purchases. Compiles comprehensive reports. May prepare and/or assist in preparing annual budget documents. Establishes budgetary needs and forecasts service revenue. Works with agencies on statistical reports and inquiries. Ensures building maintenance is completed. Works with support departments to ensure facilities are properly maintained. Continuously evaluates operations and makes recommendations for improvements. Evaluates computer needs and makes recommendations for automation. Provides information and advice concerning specialized or technical services and related office functions, including responding to and resolving difficult issues, client inquiries, complaints, and questions raised by the public or subordinates. May represent the county by attending meetings, community meetings, seminars, conferences, and professional association meetings. Participates in private organizations and serves on related committees. Works with county departments and outside agencies to share information and address issues. May serve as the department liaison. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements
Office Manager Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Government, Political Science, Criminal Justice, or a directly related field AND at least four (4) years of professional experience in a broad administrative support function, including one (1) year of mid- to senior-level supervisory or management experience. Office Manager Sr. Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Government, Political Science, Criminal Justice, or a directly related field AND at least five (5) years of professional experience in a broad administrative support function, including two (2) years of mid- to senior-level supervisory or management experience. OR any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience, and that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Preferred
Bilingual in English and Spanish. Applications with a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in the position are preferred. Please address why you are interested in joining the Public Defender’s Office specifically. Work Environment & Other Information
The Public Defender’s Office is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities, and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant’s experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization. Applicants should be able to work and communicate effectively across lines of difference. Physical requirements include the ability to lift and carry up to 20–50 pounds occasionally; visual acuity; speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination; and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Work may involve standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, squatting, and client or customer contact to perform the essential functions. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Essential duties, functions, responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. This position is anticipated to start in February 2026. Please attach a resume to the application. Post-offer criminal background check required. Seniority Level
Mid-Senior level Employment Type
Full-time Job Function
Administrative Industries
Government Administration Location
1010 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 Department
Public Defender’s Office
#J-18808-Ljbffr