Senior Public Defender – Clark County Public Defense

Job Description

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED ON THIS PLATFORM WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. YOU MUST APPLY ON CLARK COUNTY’S WEBSITE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION.

 

For Complete Job Announcement, Application Requirements, and to apply on-line (applications on external sites are not monitored), please visit our website at:

 

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county

 

 

Job Summary
A Senior Public Defender practices in all the trial courts in which assigned counsel attorneys work, without supervision. Provides general supervision to attorneys and support staff. Supervises the Public Defender’s assigned to each unit.

This position reports directly to the Assistant Chief Public Defender and works in collaboration with other Senior Public Defenders.

Underfill Opportunity: This position may be filled as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II if selected candidate does not fully meet the qualifications for a Senior Public Defender at the time of hire.

The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II is the full journey level class within the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I by the performance of the full range of cases as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the judicial procedures and policies of the work unit. The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II receives direction from higher level prosecuting attorney staff

 

Qualifications
Senior Public Defender Education and Experience:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law and must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association.
Ten years of practice as an attorney with a minimum of three years trial experience in the trial of criminal cases. Proven experience in handling all phases of the most complex felony cases without supervision.
Ability to successfully pass Clark County background investigation.
Valid Washington State driver’s license.
Knowledge of….organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs; operational characteristics, services and activities of a public defense office; legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law and procedure; legal research, terminology and procedures; organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of County government and a public defense office; pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation; principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; and so forth.

 

Ability to….analyze and apply legal principles; manage and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; interpret and explain public defense standards, policies and procedures; organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and procedures; prepare and present difficult cases in court; conduct research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions; prepare and administer a budget; select, supervise, train and evaluate staff; interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including County and other government officials, community groups, and the general public; and so forth.

 

Underfill Opportunity : This position may be filled as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II if selected candidate does not fully meet the qualifications for a Senior Public Defender at the time of hire.

 

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II Education and Experience:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities will be considered

Four years of responsible experience in a law office as a practicing attorney.
Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Membership in the State Bar of Washington.
Knowledge of…ordinances, statutes, and court decisions relating to civil and criminal prosecution; judicial procedure and rules of evidence; methods of legal research; pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations; established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to prosecuting activities; providing complex administrative and professional staff assistance to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; representing the County in a wide variety of criminal prosecution proceedings; and so forth.

 

Ability to…learn the established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to prosecuting activities; provide administrative and professional staff assistance to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; assist in the implementation of prosecuting attorney goals, objectives, and practices; represent the County in a variety of criminal prosecution proceedings; analyze, appraise, organize, and present facts, evidence, and precedents in a clear and logical manner; analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents; research, analyze, and evaluate new program techniques, methods, and procedures; interpret and apply legal principles and procedures; prepare and present cases in court; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including County and other government officials, community groups, the general public, and media representatives; analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents; prepare and present difficult cases in court; conduct research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions; and so forth.

 

SELECTION PROCESS:

 

Resume and other documents must be attached together in the ‘Resume Upload’ section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application.

 

Application Review (Pass/ Fail) – An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

 

Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) – This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

 

Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.

 

Employment references will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.

 

It is general policy of the County that new employees should be hired at the lower steps of the applicable range and advance through the range at the normal progression.

 

 

 

Examples of Duties
SENIOR PUBLIC DEFENDER KEY OR TYPICAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carries up to a full caseload of felonies, including homicides, persistent offenders, and other serious charges.
Observes or second chairs at least one entire jury trial of a Public Defender II during an evaluation period. Reviews and assists in matters of tactics, trial strategy, legal research, writing and motion practice.
Assists the Chief Public Defender/Director and the Assistant Chief with hiring and personnel assignment recommendations; plans, schedules, and assigns work; establishes priorities; instructs and trains in correct methods and procedures; reviews and evaluates staff performance; mediates problems and conflicts among attorneys and support staff. May work with the Director/Chief Public Defender, Assistant Chief and Human Resources to address employee relation issues and concerns.
Handles miscellaneous court hearings, including but not limited to, first appearance calendars in all courts, arraignment calendars, non-compliance calendars (probation violations and failures to comply), ability to substitute in Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Involuntary Treatment Act hearings.
Reviews policy reports, interviews witness, works with the court and prosecutor to resolve cases. Appropriately utilizes non-attorney professional services.
Maintains accurate and complete statistical information to be used for future needs and projections.
Represents the Office of Public Defense with various agencies, judges, court commissioners, law enforcement officials, County officials, school officials and bar association. Attends public and civic meetings. When assigned, serves on specific task groups or committees.
Performs other duties as assigned.
DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY II KEY OR TYPICAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Prosecutes traffic, criminal code and zoning violations and comparable cases in County courts; analyzes police investigations and accusations; interviews and prepares witnesses for proceedings; reviews evidence for completeness and accuracy; prepares legal briefs and oral arguments.
Represents the State in court; examines witnesses and presents evidence; determines sentencing range; reviews expert evaluation reports; discusses sentencing possibilities with victims and law enforcement agencies.
Evaluates benefit or need of a trial versus a guilty plea; determines if charge should be filed or if further investigation should be conducted; refers appropriate cases to County Diversion Programs for screening.
Commences and pursues collection of restitution judgments; prosecutes violations of community supervision or probation orders; files actions to forfeit bail when bail bond is violated.
Provides legal assistance to prosecuting staff and other County and governmental attorneys as requested; speaks at local schools about the criminal justice system.
Prevents and minimizes legal exposure by providing legal advice to County officers and employees in law enforcement related matters.
Assists in the preparation and review of inspection and search warrants.
Performs legal research and prepares written and oral opinions on various legal problems.
Responds to citizen inquiries and resolves difficult and sensitive complaints.
Performs related duties as assigned.
 

Salary Grade
M2.403 – M2.405

 

Salary Range
$9,514.00 – $16,411.00- per month

 

Close Date
Open Until FilledRecruiter
Brianna BradleyEmail:

Brianna.Bradley@clark.wa.gov

 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

 

 

Employee Benefits and additional compensation
Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

 

 

Retirement Information
All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice.
For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

 

 

 

 

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.