Full Time Assistant Public Defender

POSITION: Full Time Assistant Public Defender
DEPARTMENT: Public Defender
RATE OF PAY: $58,526.45 per annum
HOURS WORKED: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

BENEFITS: Highmark BC/BS, Vision, Delta Dental and Life Insurance. (First of the month following sixty (60) calendar days)
County Retirement Plan. Aflac, optional.
Paid time off – Holiday from start. Vacation, Sick, Personal (after completion of six (6) month Initial Employment Period)

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB: To provide competent legal representation to a wide variety of criminal defendants, alleged incompetents and abused children (and some civil cases).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctorate degree, licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar Association or have taken Pennsylvania bar examination. Public defender internship or similar experience preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

• Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
• Counsels clients.
• Prepares and files motions, briefs and other legal documents.
• Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
• Represents client at pre-trial hearings/conferences, other proceedings, arraignments, jury and non-jury trials, sentencing and post-conviction hearings.
• Prepares post-trial motions, briefs and arguments for appeals to Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts.
• Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
• Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
• Utilizes computer for docketing, drafting letters and other legal correspondence and reports.
• Prepares correspondence, letters, reports, file notes, etc. through oral dictation or written format.
• Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public.
• Attends staff and training sessions.
• Advises public groups of the functions of the office.
• Travels as necessary for trial preparations.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Must be able to speak and understand the English language and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must possess effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must possess initiative, creativity and problem solving skills.
• Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers and others.
• Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and records
• Must possess technical knowledge of operating personal computers.
• Must possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License and a willingness to travel as needed to complete job duties.
• Must possess knowledge and ability to effectively and adequately represent a variety of clients in various criminal and civil cases.
• Must possess ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents and procedures.
• Must possess ability to set forth finding of facts and conclusions in written, legal form.
• Must possess ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at logical interpretation.
• Must possess ability to effectively coordinate individual cases and also interact with other staff members.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works indoors in adequate workspace, lighting, ventilation and temperature.
• Frequent exposure to noise, stress, and disruptions.
• Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
• Potential exposure to blood borne pathogens and/or communicable diseases.
• Works in conditions of potential outbursts or aggressive behavior of clients.
• Travels occasionally as necessary to obtain legal information for cases or to attend meetings/seminars.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to sit, stand for long periods, with intermittent walking, driving and occasional climbing stairs, twisting, stooping, grasping or reaching to carry out job duties.
• Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hand; feet/legs; torso necessary to carry out job duties.
• Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with maximum weight of ten pounds.
• Must demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
• Must be able to move frequently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
• Must be able to work with clients who carry or may carry active hepatitis, HIV or other infectious diseases.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $58,526.45 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person