Date shown in New York time. Confirm application timing on the official posting.
Help (https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52880875811091-How-to-understand-the-job-announcement#h_01M1M3QMBM3Z5NTF3DN1XXN6EV) Letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment (https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment), a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references.
Help (https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52880875811091-How-to-understand-the-job-announcement#h_01M1M36SE2J384X5ZRS2A9YHG4) Application Process Applicants should submit a single PDF by email that includes a letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment (https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment), a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references to ohn_employment@fd.org (mailto:ohn_employment@fd.org), using the subject line: 2026-06 Capital Habeas Unit Chief. Applications will only be accepted electronically. Agency contact information Human Resources Email ohn_employment@fd.org (mailto:ohn_employment@fd.org) Address Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Ohio 1660 West Second Street Suite 750 Cleveland, OH 44113 US Next steps First review of applications will occur on Monday, August 3, 2026. While the position will remain open until filled, applicants who submit their materials on or before the first review date will receive preference. Compensation, Benefits, and Quality of Life This position offers a salary range of $80,138 to $197,100, dependent on education and years of relevant experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan, transit subsidy, free parking, 11 federal holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio also offer an appealing quality of life for experienced professionals and families. The region combines major-league sports, a nationally respected orchestra, a renowned arts community, lakefront living, and ready access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with a more manageable daily life and more affordable cost of living than many larger legal markets.
Confirm the deadline and all requirements on the official posting before applying.
Source: USAJOBS · Bespree is not the employer.
The Capital Habeas Unit Chief leads all Unit operations, strategic initiatives, and litigation functions while contemporaneously serving as a senior leader and personal advisor to the Federal Public Defender. The Chief must combine outstanding legal judgment with strong leadership abilities, build cohesion within the Unit and strengthen collaboration with the Trial Unit so that the office operates with greater unity, shared purpose, and institutional trust.
Core Responsibilities
The selected candidate will:
Notice
Employees are at-will and are not covered by the Civil Service Reform Act. Employment is subject to the availability of funds, successful completion of a background check, and United States citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States. The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Because we occasionally litigate in state court, Ohio bar admission, or a willingness to seek admission to the Ohio Bar, is an advantage.
Applicants must also be admitted to or seek admission to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Qualified applicants should also have:
Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school and members in good standing of any state bar.
Professional Growth and National Engagement
This role is designed for an experienced lawyer who wants both impact and influence. The Chief will have the opportunity to lead major litigation, mentor and develop other advocates, help set office-wide standards, and maintain strong ties with the broader federal defender and capital habeas communities.
The position also offers meaningful professional stature, leadership within a nationally recognized area of practice, ongoing engagement with complex and consequential litigation, and the ability to contribute to the continued development of a strong institutional defense culture.
Other Qualifications
Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school and members in good standing of any state bar. Because we occasionally litigate in state court, Ohio bar admission, or a willingness to seek admission to the Ohio Bar, is an advantage. Applicants must also be admitted to or seek admission to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
HelpCompensation, Benefits, and Quality of Life
This position offers a salary range of $80,138 to $197,100, dependent on education and years of relevant experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan, transit subsidy, free parking, 11 federal holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Cleveland and Northeast Ohio also offer an appealing quality of life for experienced professionals and families. The region combines major-league sports, a nationally respected orchestra, a renowned arts community, lakefront living, and ready access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with a more manageable daily life and more affordable cost of living than many larger legal markets.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The selection process will consider the candidate's demonstrated qualifications, experience, and ability to meet the requirements of the position.
Letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment, a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a single PDF by email that includes a letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment, a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references to ohn_employment@fd.org, using the subject line: 2026-06 Capital Habeas Unit Chief. Applications will only be accepted electronically.
First review of applications will occur on Monday, August 3, 2026. While the position will remain open until filled, applicants who submit their materials on or before the first review date will receive preference.
Compensation, Benefits, and Quality of Life This position offers a salary range of $80,138 to $197,100, dependent on education and years of relevant experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan, transit subsidy, free parking, 11 federal holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio also offer an appealing quality of life for experienced professionals and families. The region combines major-league sports, a nationally respected orchestra, a renowned arts community, lakefront living, and ready access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with a more manageable daily life and more affordable cost of living than many larger legal markets.The United States federal government offers civilian positions across its agencies and offices.
Date shown in New York time. Confirm application timing on the official posting.
Help (https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52880875811091-How-to-understand-the-job-announcement#h_01M1M3QMBM3Z5NTF3DN1XXN6EV) Letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment (https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment), a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references.
Help (https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52880875811091-How-to-understand-the-job-announcement#h_01M1M36SE2J384X5ZRS2A9YHG4) Application Process Applicants should submit a single PDF by email that includes a letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment (https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment), a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references to ohn_employment@fd.org (mailto:ohn_employment@fd.org), using the subject line: 2026-06 Capital Habeas Unit Chief. Applications will only be accepted electronically. Agency contact information Human Resources Email ohn_employment@fd.org (mailto:ohn_employment@fd.org) Address Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Ohio 1660 West Second Street Suite 750 Cleveland, OH 44113 US Next steps First review of applications will occur on Monday, August 3, 2026. While the position will remain open until filled, applicants who submit their materials on or before the first review date will receive preference. Compensation, Benefits, and Quality of Life This position offers a salary range of $80,138 to $197,100, dependent on education and years of relevant experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan, transit subsidy, free parking, 11 federal holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio also offer an appealing quality of life for experienced professionals and families. The region combines major-league sports, a nationally respected orchestra, a renowned arts community, lakefront living, and ready access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with a more manageable daily life and more affordable cost of living than many larger legal markets.
Confirm the deadline and all requirements on the official posting before applying.
Source: USAJOBS · Bespree is not the employer.
The Capital Habeas Unit Chief leads all Unit operations, strategic initiatives, and litigation functions while contemporaneously serving as a senior leader and personal advisor to the Federal Public Defender. The Chief must combine outstanding legal judgment with strong leadership abilities, build cohesion within the Unit and strengthen collaboration with the Trial Unit so that the office operates with greater unity, shared purpose, and institutional trust.
Core Responsibilities
The selected candidate will:
Notice
Employees are at-will and are not covered by the Civil Service Reform Act. Employment is subject to the availability of funds, successful completion of a background check, and United States citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States. The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Because we occasionally litigate in state court, Ohio bar admission, or a willingness to seek admission to the Ohio Bar, is an advantage.
Applicants must also be admitted to or seek admission to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Qualified applicants should also have:
Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school and members in good standing of any state bar.
Professional Growth and National Engagement
This role is designed for an experienced lawyer who wants both impact and influence. The Chief will have the opportunity to lead major litigation, mentor and develop other advocates, help set office-wide standards, and maintain strong ties with the broader federal defender and capital habeas communities.
The position also offers meaningful professional stature, leadership within a nationally recognized area of practice, ongoing engagement with complex and consequential litigation, and the ability to contribute to the continued development of a strong institutional defense culture.
Other Qualifications
Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school and members in good standing of any state bar. Because we occasionally litigate in state court, Ohio bar admission, or a willingness to seek admission to the Ohio Bar, is an advantage. Applicants must also be admitted to or seek admission to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
HelpCompensation, Benefits, and Quality of Life
This position offers a salary range of $80,138 to $197,100, dependent on education and years of relevant experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan, transit subsidy, free parking, 11 federal holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Cleveland and Northeast Ohio also offer an appealing quality of life for experienced professionals and families. The region combines major-league sports, a nationally respected orchestra, a renowned arts community, lakefront living, and ready access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with a more manageable daily life and more affordable cost of living than many larger legal markets.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The selection process will consider the candidate's demonstrated qualifications, experience, and ability to meet the requirements of the position.
Letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment, a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a single PDF by email that includes a letter of interest, resume, completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment, a writing sample of no more than 20 pages, and three references to ohn_employment@fd.org, using the subject line: 2026-06 Capital Habeas Unit Chief. Applications will only be accepted electronically.
First review of applications will occur on Monday, August 3, 2026. While the position will remain open until filled, applicants who submit their materials on or before the first review date will receive preference.
Compensation, Benefits, and Quality of Life This position offers a salary range of $80,138 to $197,100, dependent on education and years of relevant experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan, transit subsidy, free parking, 11 federal holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio also offer an appealing quality of life for experienced professionals and families. The region combines major-league sports, a nationally respected orchestra, a renowned arts community, lakefront living, and ready access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with a more manageable daily life and more affordable cost of living than many larger legal markets.The United States federal government offers civilian positions across its agencies and offices.