Director of Public Service, School of Law

The University of Virginia School of Law seeks to hire a Director of Public Service within the Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center (PSC). The Director of Public Service will be responsible for highly individualized counseling to Law School students and graduates on public service searches, employer outreach, the creation of resources and programming, and additional projects as assigned by the Assistant Dean for Public Service. The incumbent will work closely with other members of the Public Service Center, the Office of Private Practice, and the Office of Judicial Clerkships.

The PSC provides guidance to law students on all facets of their search for summer and postgraduate positions with public service employers. This includes counseling students on job searches and professional development; providing information on, and assisting in applying for, available positions; facilitating and preparing candidates for interviews; and creating career-related programming. The PSC also provides assistance to graduates of the Law School on career searches and transitions. In addition to its counseling-centered work, the PSC administers the Law School's public service summer and postgraduate fellowship programs, and it assists students in identifying and applying for externally funded fellowships, grants, and other programs that support careers in public service.

The position calls for substantial knowledge of and/or experience in public service law, with a demonstrated understanding of career paths and employment opportunities in areas such as indigent defense, nonprofit advocacy, civil legal services, and government practice (civil or criminal). Other keys to success include the ability to establish professional credibility and trust within a diverse community of students, graduates, and employers; exceptional writing skills, including the ability to provide effective critiques of students' writing; superior project management, client relations, and teamwork skills; and, the ability to work diligently in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.

A master's degree with five years of experience is required. A J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school (which will satisfy the master's degree requirement) is strongly preferred, along with at least three years of experience working in a law practice following graduation from law school, at least one of which is in a public service law practice (government or nonprofit employer). The ideal candidate will have at least five years of law practice, at least three of which are in public service; and legal experience in indigent defense, criminal justice reform, or nonprofit advocacy.

This position is primarily in person, with the opportunity to perform a limited amount of work remotely in accordance with Law School policy. This is an exempt-level position with benefits.

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Ryan Faulconer, Assistant Dean for Public Service, at View email address on click.appcast.io . Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Michele Jarman , Academic Recruiter.

The School of Law is located in Charlottesville, VA, a college town setting with natural beauty and significant historical relevance in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlottesville is a wonderful place to live with an extraordinary quality of life, often ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see and Embark Central Virginia.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .