Program Administrator 3

Schedule: Full-time

This is an internal posting for current employees of the Office of the Ohio Public Defender only.

The Program Administrator 3 position will formulate and implement policy for the statewide development, delivery, and evaluation of our agency’s web-based case management system (OPD Online) and billing system (CABS). These systems are utilized by local indigent defense delivery systems and stakeholders in the State of Ohio – including court appointed attorneys, judges, auditors, county public defenders, and their respective staff. In this position you will manage the design and processes of the applications to achieve agency goals and objectives. You will manage a team of business process analysts, liaison with contractors, work alongside our Assistant Directors, CIO Deputy Director, and Policy and Outreach Deputy Director. You will report to the Deputy Director CIO in our Management Information Systems Department and will provide leadership and technical direction to MIS team members.

The following are necessary to be successful in the position:

Exceptional Customer Service: Demonstrate professionalism and responsiveness when supporting internal and external customers, including judges, auditors, and attorneys.

Effective Communication: Communicate clearly and respectfully across the agency, both verbally and in writing; facilitate collaboration within the IT team and with non-technical teams.

Strong Problem-Solving: Quickly identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues while minimizing service disruption; prioritize solutions with long-term impact.

Team Leadership: Provide guidance and support to IT staff; foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.

Technical Expertise: Possess strong working knowledge of IT systems, networks, and user support; stay current on emerging technologies relevant to organizational needs.

Application and Data Security Awareness: Promote adherence to data privacy, access controls, and compliance standards.

Professionalism: Maintain a professional demeanor and remain calm, focused, and effective under pressure.

Essential functions of the position include but are not limited to:

Manage the administrative and daily operations of the OPD Online and CABS applications: oversee user onboarding, systems functionality, and efficiency; ensure relevant standards, process and regulations are upheld; analyze stakeholder’s business requirements; evaluate and propose design and process improvement; ensure the technological structures of OPD Online and CABS can functionally support quality representation; process and analyze data from OPD Online and CABS to help make decisions regarding knowledge and skills gaps.

Manage and execute the deployment of software applications across various environments: plan, coordinate, and implement deployments to public defender offices, court appointed counsel, and OPD staff while minimizing downtime; develop and maintain documentation and training materials; coordinate and facilitate training for end users; coordinate evaluation of training effectiveness; provide trouble-shooting and monitor system performance post-deployment and implements necessary optimizations.

Ensure the security and integrity of the OPD Online and CABS applications

Under the direction of the Deputy Director CIO, maintains vendor relations and manages budgets (develop, negotiate and maintain application service contracts; create application budgets and monitor expenditures)

Coach and develop staff: assign, review and approve work; respond to questions and concerns and resolve problems; set meaningful goals and provide training and support; complete timely performance evaluations; hold team meetings and one-on-one meetings; prioritize and approve work schedules.

Work closely with leadership, staff, and stakeholders to identify and translate indigent defense process requirements, legal principles, policies, and procedures. Assist with editing and approving training, communication, and documentation from others regarding OPD Online and CABS;

Analyze data findings: Develop goals and objectives to improve systems and client representation; communicate with county personnel regarding OPD’s findings and assist in ways to improve local systems; newly forge and maintain relationships with national researchers and indigent-defense providers to learn and recommend application of different methods for data collection, analysis, and processing.

This is an internal posting for current employees of the Office of the Ohio Public Defender only.

The Program Administrator 3 Position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-1 Pay Range 14, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

FY26 Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Hourly

$39.22

$41.46

$43.68

$46.05

$48.66

$51.36

$53.49

$55.99

Annual $81,578 $86,237 $90,854 $95,784 $101,213 $106,829 $111,259

$116,459

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at or .

The minimum qualifications for this position are:

5 yrs. trg. or 5 yrs. exp. in business administration, management or public administration.

-Or completion of undergraduate core program in business administration, management or public administration; 36 mos. trg. or 36 mos. exp. in supervisory, administrative &/or managerial position.

-Or completion of undergraduate core program for academic field of study commensurate with program area to be assigned per approved Position Description on File; 36 mos. trg. or 36 mos. exp. in supervisory, administrative, managerial &/or staff position involving planning, research &/or policy/procedure development.

-Or 1 yr. exp. as Program Administrator 2, 63123.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Program Management, Business, Information Technology, Customer Service, Application Design, Innovation, Leading Others, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Teamwork, Communication (Written and Verbal)