Senior Deputy Public Defender

Churchill County • Fallon, NV

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Churchill County Alternate Public Defender’s Office invites dedicated legal professionals to apply for the position of Senior Deputy Public Defender, a rewarding and challenging opportunity to serve the community while upholding the principles of justice and fairness. The Alternate Public Defender's Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the Alternate Public Defender's Office to protect every client's constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted. The Alternate Public Defender's Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards. The person in this position must possess the requisite skills and enthusiasm to be charged with the competent and thorough representation of indigent clients. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctorate in Law and admittance to practice in the State courts of Nevada and a minimum of five years of experience as a licensed Nevada attorney with courtroom experience. As a full-time, regular position, the person hired would be enrolled in the Nevada PERS retirement system. In addition to the salary paid, the county contributes an additional 36.75% into PERS on the employee's behalf (value of $38,000 annually). In addition, the employee will not contribute to Social Security, resulting in an additional 6% in take-home pay (an equivalent of $6,200 annually). The county also pays 100% for employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $13,500 annually). Employees in these positions will also receive full accruals of vacation leave (8 hours per month) and sick leave (10 hours per month). These employees also receive 8 hours for pay for paid holidays. This position will be open until filled, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply without delay. In addition to filling out the online application (at www.churchillcounty.org/careers ), applicants are required to electronically attach a résumé, cover letter (indicating why you are interested in working as a Deputy Public Defender), and a recent writing sample that demonstrates your writing skills and analytical ability pertaining to a legal case or issue. If an applicant has difficulty attaching documents, the applicant should email [email protected] with the documents and the applicant's contact information. Under general supervision, performs a wide range of professional criminal defense work in the Public Defender's Office; performs legal research; provides representation to indigent defendants in some of the most complex and complicated criminal cases; provides representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, guardianships, and NRS 432B proceedings; performs legal research; represents the Public Defender on assigned cases; and performs related work as required. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the Senior level in the Deputy Public Defender series. Incumbents are expected to perform a wide range of the regular legal assignments performed in the Public Defender’s Office with a great degree of professional latitude. A Senior Deputy may provide training or guidance for lower-level attorneys in the office. It differs from the Deputy Public Defender classification in that the assignment of matters are generally more complex and requires more seasoned experience, judgment and knowledge. The Senior Deputy Public Defender is the highest classification that can be achieved without supervisory or administrative responsibility. Essential Functions This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance. Familiarity with standards of practice for criminal defense in Nevada. Review criminal complaints and analyze for the propriety of charge(s). Conduct client interviews. Coordinate and conduct investigations and interviews. Analyze the facts of a case and legal precedents for preliminary hearing motions, stipulations, or waivers. Analyze preliminary hearing or grand jury transcripts for pre-arraignment writ or motion presentations. Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs. Conduct arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials. Assemble evidence and legal materials for trial purposes and/or discussion of settlements with prosecutors. Prepare pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings. Prepare appellate cases including briefings and oral arguments before appellate courts. Carry out procedures for probation, parole revocation, extraditions, insanity matters, and juvenile court cases. Represent clients in DCFS cases, review petitions for propriety of the proposed actions; conduct hearings on petitions, reviews and dispositions; and attend case plan meetings/staffing with clients and social workers as needed to include home visits with clients if applicable. Coordinate legal work with the District Attorney's office and other law enforcement agencies without impairing the defense. Meet with and discuss cases with clients and their families. May represent parties in termination of parental rights cases and guardianships/probation revocations and discuss settlements with prosecutors and social workers. Demonstrates integrity in all duties; Is courteous, kind and cooperative when interacting with clients, public, and staff. Maintains a professional demeanor with opposing counsel. Acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace. Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Defender services by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team. Participates in the training of new attorneys; provides appropriate training and guidance of attorneys where directed; reviews negotiation terms or defense strategies for newer attorneys; provides input on performance evaluations where needed by the Public Defender.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate AND admittance to practice law in Nevada (or admission to practice under the applicable rules of the Nevada Supreme Court)
• A minimum of five years of full-time experience in criminal cases OR a combination of education, training and experience commensurate with the position’s contemplated effective representation of clients in difficult or complicated defense related matters.
• Familiarity with standards of practice for criminal defense in Nevada.
• Knowledge of judicial procedure and rules of evidence; applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of computer applications related to the performance of legal research and writing.
• Knowledge of techniques for dealing with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Knowledge of correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of the Penal Code and other Nevada statutes and their application to criminal and civil law.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal, constitutional and administrative Law.
• Knowledge of legal research methods and available programs for legal research.
• Skill in performing a complex caseload of legal representation work in the Public Defender's Office with considerable independence.
• Skill in analyzing facts and applying legal principles and precedents to specific criminal and civil cases.
• Skill in performing legal research, developing legal issues, and presenting clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with others.
• Skill in effectively representing the Public Defender's Office in contacts with the public, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.
• Nevada Driver’s License.
• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Nevada and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada.

Nice To Haves

• Courtroom experience.
• Training or guidance for lower-level attorneys in the office.
• Input on performance evaluations where needed by the Public Defender.

Responsibilities

• Performs a wide range of professional criminal defense work in the Public Defender's Office.
• Performs legal research.
• Provides representation to indigent defendants in some of the most complex and complicated criminal cases.
• Provides representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, guardianships, and NRS 432B proceedings.
• Represents the Public Defender on assigned cases.
• Reviews criminal complaints and analyzes for the propriety of charge(s).
• Conducts client interviews.
• Coordinates and conducts investigations and interviews.
• Analyzes the facts of a case and legal precedents for preliminary hearing motions, stipulations, or waivers.
• Analyzes preliminary hearing or grand jury transcripts for pre-arraignment writ or motion presentations.
• Interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
• Conducts arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials.
• Assembles evidence and legal materials for trial purposes and/or discussion of settlements with prosecutors.
• Prepares pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Prepares appellate cases including briefings and oral arguments before appellate courts.
• Carries out procedures for probation, parole revocation, extraditions, insanity matters, and juvenile court cases.
• Represents clients in DCFS cases, reviews petitions for propriety of the proposed actions; conducts hearings on petitions, reviews and dispositions; and attends case plan meetings/staffing with clients and social workers as needed to include home visits with clients if applicable.
• Coordinates legal work with the District Attorney's office and other law enforcement agencies without impairing the defense.
• Meets with and discusses cases with clients and their families.
• May represent parties in termination of parental rights cases and guardianships/probation revocations and discuss settlements with prosecutors and social workers.
• Demonstrates integrity in all duties; Is courteous, kind and cooperative when interacting with clients, public, and staff.
• Maintains a professional demeanor with opposing counsel.
• Acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Defender services by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
• Participates in the training of new attorneys; provides appropriate training and guidance of attorneys where directed; reviews negotiation terms or defense strategies for newer attorneys; provides input on performance evaluations where needed by the Public Defender.

Benefits

• Enrolled in the Nevada PERS retirement system.
• County contributes an additional 36.75% into PERS on the employee's behalf (value of $38,000 annually).
• Employee will not contribute to Social Security, resulting in an additional 6% in take-home pay (an equivalent of $6,200 annually).
• County pays 100% for employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $13,500 annually).
• Full accruals of vacation leave (8 hours per month).
• Full accruals of sick leave (10 hours per month).
• 8 hours for pay for paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

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