Deputy Chief Public Defender

Salary Range: $101,507.59 - $123,737.19

JOB SUMMARY: Provides court appointed indigent defense services within Van Buren County Courts. The Deputy Chief Public Defender carries a full caseload and receives direct supervision from the Chief Public Defender. The Deputy Chief Public Defender is responsible for providing supervision to the Public Defender’s Office staff, including Assistant Public Defenders, Investigators, and clerical staff in conjunction with the Public Defender.

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:

• Customer Focus
• Teamwork
• Employee Engagement
• Process Focus
• Financial Resources
• Organizational Values
• Goal/Results Oriented
• Attention to Detail Adaptability
• IT Application Leadership & Influence
• Communication

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Reviews charging instruments, police reports, and other discovery provided by the Prosecution.
2. Promptly meets with clients and learns the client’s goals for the representation and any specials needs of the client.
3. Determines what further fact investigation to undertake and directs that investigation, including the identification, consultation and hiring of applicable experts as approved by the Chief Public Defender.
4. Determines what legal issues need development, researches those issues, and presents them in the appropriate forum.
5. Negotiates with the Prosecution and promptly advises the client of the status of those negotiations.
6. Litigates any legal issues that are necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
7. Conducts any post-trial litigation necessary such as sentencing and post-trial motions (excluding appeals).
8. Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs; maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions.
9. Participates in the performance appraisal process, assists in hiring process, new hire orientation, and enforces County and office policies and procedures in conjunction with the Chief Public Defender.
10. Maintains accurate, complete, and legible case files.
11. Performs on-call attorney functions as assigned.
12. Completes special projects and other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Member of the Michigan State Bar in good standing.
• At least eight (8) years of criminal defense experience or comparable civil legal service required. Demonstrated supervisory experience may be submitted for the required eight years of criminal defense experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen. Applicant must complete County application form.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Direct Reports: Public Defender Staff

Delegation of Work: Delegates work to subordinates as necessary.

Supervision Given: Public Defender Staff

Reports to: This position reports to the Chief Public Defender.

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to express oneself and exchange information both verbally and in writing. The employee is frequently required to move about the office environment; operate a computer and other office machinery; and move or transport files or other items to meetings and other office spaces. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. The ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary is required.
Travel
Travel to Van Buren County buildings for job duties may be required.

OTHER DUTIES:
Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Van Buren County.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.