Current Job Opportunities
Office of the Defender General - Legal Assistant 1 - Burlington
The Office of the Defender General is seeking a self-motivated and dependable candidate to fill a limited-service Legal Assistant I position that will run through June 30th, 2026. This position will be providing administrative support for our busy Chittenden County Public Defender’s Office as well as data entry in our case management system for our Central Office in Montpelier.
Responsibilities will include, entering caseload data into case management system, and drafting legal documents and correspondence, among other tasks.
The Legal Assistant I position is an integral part of the office, and the position requires patience and the ability to work with a wide variety of people and sometimes difficult personalities. Prior administrative/secretarial experience preferred.
Preferred Qualifications: Associates degree or two or more years of full-time college coursework (or the equivalent) and two (2) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties; or bachelor’s degree and one (1) year or more of experience performing legal administrative duties; or paralegal certification and two (2) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties; or high school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties.
Full-time PG18 position with State benefits.
Email resume and cover letter to Jess Martin HR & Program Manager at jessica.b.martin@vermont.gov
Office of the Defender General - Legal Assistant 1 - Bennington
The Office of the Defender General has an opening for a full-time legal assistant in the Bennington office. The legal assistant is responsible for supporting attorneys by providing a wide variety of technical, administrative and secretarial assistance. The work requires some knowledge of legal practices and procedures and computer skills. Work is performed under the direction of an attorney or other supervisor, but some independent work will be required.
The legal assistant assists with the preparation of legal documents using information from files, client agencies, court records and other sources. Helps to prepare basic legal documents such as legal notices, subpoenas and discovery materials. May e-file legal documents with the Judiciary. May help attorneys prepare for trials, hearings and negotiations by preparing exhibits, scheduling witnesses, communicating with client agencies, reviewing jury pools, and preparing exhibit and witness lists. Performs docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases using case management systems. May schedule depositions, court reporters, and experts. Performs administrative and secretarial duties including correspondence, telephone duties, filing, copying and public records management.
Preferred Qualifications: Associates degree or two or more years of full-time college coursework (or the equivalent) and two (2) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties; or bachelor’s degree and one (1) year or more of experience performing legal administrative duties; or paralegal certification and two (2) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties; or high school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties.
Full-time permanent PG18 position with State benefits.
Email resume and cover letter to Jess Martin HR & Program Manager at jessica.b.martin@vermont.gov
Office of the Defender General - Prisoners’ Rights Attorney - Montpelier
The Prisoners’ Rights Office in the Office of the Defender General has an opening for a full-time staff attorney. The Prisoners’ Rights Office (PRO) is the division of the Office of the Defender General charged with protecting and enforcing the rights of incarcerated persons and people serving sentences of community supervision. PRO attorneys work to get people out of prison, keep people out of prison, and improve the lives of those inside. The caseload addresses a wide range of issues, including conditions of confinement, physical and mental healthcare, prison discipline, sentence calculation, release eligibility, and furlough, parole, and supervised community sentence violations. PRO attorneys represent clients in administrative hearings, civil court, federal court, and the Vermont Supreme Court. As a high-volume practice addressing such a wide array of legal issues, PRO is a fast-paced and challenging, but incredibly rewarding, place to work.
The successful candidate must be a current member in good standing of the Vermont bar or eligible to obtain admission by waiver by the start date. Knowledge of both criminal law and civil procedure is preferred. Experience as a trial or appellate attorney is desirable.
This is an exempt, full-time position located in Montpelier, Vermont. Salary is based upon qualifications and experience.
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Jess Martin, HR & Program Manager at jessica.b.martin@vermont.gov. This position will remain open until filled. EOE.
Office of the Defender General – Staff Attorney – Burlington
The Office of the Public Defender in Burlington, Vermont has an opening for a full-time criminal defense attorney. The Chittenden County Public Defender’s Office is a busy office with ten attorneys, three investigators, two legal assistants, and an administrative services coordinator. The successful candidate is required to be a member in good standing of the Vermont bar or be eligible to obtain admission by waiver. Prior relevant legal practice or background in criminal law is preferred.
Salary will be based upon qualifications and experience and will follow the Office of the Defender General Pay Plan.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Jess Martin, HR & Program Manager, at jessica.b.martin@vermont.gov. Deadline has been extended. If you see this ad, we are still accepting applications.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of Vermont celebrates diversity and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.
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NOTE: If you are interested in an unpaid law student or attorney clerkship, please contact Appellate Defender Briana Hauser. If you are interested in an internship in the Chittenden Public Defender's Office, please contact Josh O'Hara, Supervising Attorney.
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External Job Opportunities
DISCLAIMER: The ODG advertises job opportunities that are available across the system with our primary public defense contractors, assigned counsel contractors, and other contractors as a courtesy to those contractors, for the benefit of the system, and those who would like to be part of it. Unless expressly stated positions advertised here are NOT STATE POSITIONS, they do not come with state benefits, and the decision whether or not to hire is the sole responsibility of the contractor listed in the advertisement.