Training Director

About This Role

This leadership role involves developing, coordinating, and delivering training programs to strengthen legal practice and support professional growth across the entire Missouri State Public Defender System. The Director will innovate, develop resources, mentor future leaders, and shape programs to impact the quality of legal representation for clients statewide.

Responsibilities

• Stay current on developments in criminal law, trends in public defense, and effective training methods
• Maintain expertise in adult learning principles, training needs assessments, instructional design, and evaluating training effectiveness
• Conduct regular formal and informal training needs assessments for all MSPD staff
• Align training goals and curriculum with system priorities and job expectations in collaboration with the director and division directors
• Design and implement in-house and web-based training programs for attorneys, defender leaders, and core staff
• Determine program frequency, content, and focus based on turnover rates, legal updates, and budget considerations
• Oversee the management of all training logistics, including facility contracts, room setup, A/V support, lodging, meals, faculty coordination, billing, and reimbursements
• Select faculty for MSPD training programs and recommend MSPD staff for external trainer opportunities
• Identify and develop employees with strong expertise and communication skills to serve as trainers or mentors
• Develop Train the Trainer programs for MSPD staff
• Monitor and share relevant external training programs
• Approve and coordinate employee participation while ensuring equitable access to training opportunities
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of training effectiveness and incorporate feedback into continuous program improvement
• Assist with planning and managing the training budget
• Ensure all training activities comply with MSPD and state policies
• Oversee the update of the MSPD training portal, online resources, and future implementation of a new learning management system
• Help develop and update training materials, motion banks, expert databases, and other litigation tools

Requirements

• Licensed attorney with a minimum of eight years of successful experience in the public defender system for internal candidates; equivalent public or criminal defense experience required for external candidates
• Previous teaching or training experience, with demonstrated ability to lead and support mentoring relationships
• Strong organizational, verbal, and written communication skills

Benefits

• Defined pension plan
• Generous amounts of leave and holiday time