Public Defender

Gila, County of • Globe or Payson, AZ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to direct and administer the Gila County Public Defender’s Office and ensure effective legal representation for indigent persons as required by A.R.S. § 11-584 and other applicable law. The Public Defender serves as the County’s chief public defense administrator, establishes office policies and professional standards, manages attorneys and support staff, allocates resources and caseloads, oversees the departmental budget, and ensures representation complies with constitutional requirements, Arizona law, court rules, ethical obligations, and professional standards.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree from an accredited law school and ten (10) years of licensed legal experience, preferably including substantial criminal defense or public defense experience, with at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.
• Must be licensed by the State Bar of Arizona, remain active with all Arizona Bar annual requirements and maintain a clear criminal record.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License if position duties require.
• Arizona and federal constitutional law knowledge
• Criminal law and procedure knowledge
• Applicable civil, juvenile, mental-health, and appellate law knowledge
• Federal and state statutes and regulations knowledge
• Court rules and administrative orders knowledge
• Rules of Professional Conduct knowledge
• Public-defense standards and practices knowledge
• Trial and appellate procedures knowledge
• Evidence knowledge
• Legal research knowledge
• Case and caseload management knowledge
• Administration and management knowledge
• Budgeting knowledge
• Personnel supervision knowledge
• County policies and procedures knowledge
• Analyzing complex legal and organizational issues skill
• Critical thinking skill
• Legal research and writing skill
• Litigation and courtroom advocacy skill
• Negotiating and persuading skill
• Problem solving skill
• Developing alternative solutions skill
• Communicating diplomatically skill
• Supervising licensed professionals skill
• Allocating resources and caseloads skill
• Developing policy skill
• Exercising independent professional and managerial judgment skill
• Ability to consider options, risks, and benefits
• Ability to exercise deductive and inductive reasoning
• Ability to make sense of multiple sources of complex information
• Ability to recognize and solve problems
• Ability to communicate clearly under stressful circumstances
• Ability to read and write at a professional level
• Ability to exercise independent judgment involving significant legal, ethical, managerial, and constitutional responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Directs the Public Defender’s Office, including development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, professional standards, caseload practices, staffing plans, and programs necessary to provide effective public defense services.
• Provides and oversees legal representation in criminal, juvenile, Title 36, appellate, and other proceedings assigned or authorized by law; evaluates complex cases, legal strategies, evidence, constitutional issues, negotiations, motions, trials, sentencing, and other proceedings.
• Ensures attorneys and staff provide client-centered representation consistent with federal and state constitutional requirements, Arizona statutes, court rules, Rules of Professional Conduct, applicable caseload standards, and recognized public-defense practices.
• Develops and administers the departmental budget and determines staffing, contractual, investigative, expert-witness, technology, equipment, facility, and operational resource needs; presents and advocates for resources necessary to fulfill statutory and constitutional responsibilities.
• Directs recruitment, supervision, training, professional development, performance management, and retention of attorneys and staff and ensures personnel receive continuing education necessary to maintain professional competence and effective client representation.
• Reviews and analyzes complex state and federal laws, constitutional requirements, court decisions, legislation, rules, and professional standards; develops policy and provides consultation regarding significant legal, operational, and public-defense issues.
• Represents the Public Defender’s Office in matters involving the Board of Supervisors, County administration, courts, justice-system agencies, state and local officials, professional associations, community organizations, and other governmental or professional entities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager