DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Apply NowCompany: Clark County, NV
Location: Las Vegas, NV 89110
Description:
Salary: $40.89 - $79.77 Hourly
Location : Clark County - Las Vegas, NV
Job Type: PERMANENT
Job Number: 29007
Department: Public Defender
Division: Public Defender
Opening Date: 03/11/2025
Closing Date: 3/25/2025 5:01 PM Pacific
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Clark County Public Defender's Office is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Public Defender. This attorney will provide dedicated and zealous representation to indigent members of our community. Will work within a team of professionals to craft the best possible defenses to a variety of criminal charges including felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile court cases. Deputy Public Defenders interview, advise, and represent clients, structure and direct investigations, prepare trials, pleadings, and motions, and try cases before courts and juries.
This examination will establish an Open Competitive Eligibility list to fill current and/or future vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months or may be extended as needed by Human Resources.
Human Resources reserves the right to call only the most qualified applicants to the selection process.
Some positions may be confidential positions and are excluded from membership in the union.
Some positions may be non-union positions and are excluded from membership in the union.
NOTE: A resume and cover letter are required in addition to the completed employment application. Applications submitted without a copy of the candidate's resume and cover letter are incomplete and will not be considered.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Nevada and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada at time of employment.
All qualifying education and each experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see attached resume" on your application. All details must be written in your own words and cannot be copied from job descriptions or other external sources.
Background Investigation: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Periodically after employment background investigations may be conducted.
Citizenship: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Please note, Clark County does not provide H1B visa sponsorships or transfers for any employment positions.
Pre-Employment Drug Testing: Employment is contingent upon the results of a pre-employment drug examination.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Stand for prolonged periods of time. Speak in a clear and comprehensible manner. Hear and respond to questions posed. Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.
Come Make a Difference and Join the Clark County Family where we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:Two Employer Sponsored Health Plans Offered - Choice of PPO or EPO (hybrid of HMO) Retiree insurance - eligible after 5 years of service Dental Vision Life Insurance - Employer Paid AD&D - Employer Paid Long Term Disability - Employer Paid Generous Leave Accruals that include: Other leave options Wide Variety of Voluntary Benefits that include Employee Assistance Program Onsite Fitness Center - $12/month *Benefits vary and are subject to change depending on assignment, hiring organization and bargaining unit.
01
In order to be considered for this position, you must include a resume and cover letter in addition to the application. Applications submitted without a resume will be considered incomplete. Resumes may be attached to the online application or emailed to ashley.gonzalez@clarkcountynv.gov . All application materials must be received by the closing date/time on the posting announcement.
02
The following questions 2-7 will be used to assist in determining if candidates meet the minimum qualifications.Which best describes your level of education?
03
List all degrees received that are directly related to the position (see template below).
College/University:
Did you graduate:
College Major/Minor:
Semester Credits Completed:
Degree Received:
04
Do you currently possess a Nevada State Bar license?
05
If you answered "Yes" to question 4, please list your Nevada State Bar number and the date of admission. Type N/A if not applicable.
06
If you answered "No" to question 4, please list the date you are scheduled to take the Nevada State Bar Exam. Type N/A if not applicable.
07
Are you eligible to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada?
08
The following skills assessment is a self-assessment used to evaluate an applicant's training and experience.
I understand that:
A) Part-time experience must be prorated and credited as half of full-time experience (i.e., if you performed the task for two years in a part-time position, 20 hours per week, you can only credit yourself with one year of experience in that area)
B) The education, knowledge, and experience levels indicated by my skills assessment responses must be supported and clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of my application;
C) Any falsification or misrepresentation of the information listed on the employment application or skills assessment may result in removal from the eligibility list or rescinding a job offer;
D) Responses to assessment questions that are not supported and clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections on the application may result in question scores being adjusted to receive zero points;
E) Assessment scores may be used to consider applicants for the selection process;
F) I further understand that since exam scores will be automatically generated based on the applicant's response to each item in the assessment, score appeals will not be allowed for this recruitment.
09
Indicate your full-time professional experience working or volunteering in a public defender setting.
10
Indicate your full-time professional experience working within a team setting.
11
Indicate your full-time professional experience working with privileged and confidential information.
12
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in questions 9 - 11. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
13
Indicate your full-time professional experience working with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds (e.g. social/community programs or volunteering in a community setting with the mentally ill, drug and/or alcohol addicted individuals).
14
Indicate your full-time professional experience interviewing litigants and/or witnesses in a court proceeding whether civil or criminal.
15
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in questions 13 - 14. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
16
Indicate your full-time professional experience working with case management databases, electronic legal research, word processing and communication software.
17
Indicate your full-time professional experience presenting cases in a court of law.
18
Indicate your full-time professional experience communicating with Judges and/or adverse counsel regarding legal proceedings.
19
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in questions 16 - 18. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
20
Please indicate if you ever worked, clerked or interned for a Judge and/or Public Defender's Office and/or Public Agency (either civil or criminal). Select all that apply.
21
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in question 20. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
22
Please indicate below the statement that best describes your Spanish bilingual ability.
23
Do you currently hold a valid driver's license?
Required Question
Location : Clark County - Las Vegas, NV
Job Type: PERMANENT
Job Number: 29007
Department: Public Defender
Division: Public Defender
Opening Date: 03/11/2025
Closing Date: 3/25/2025 5:01 PM Pacific
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Clark County Public Defender's Office is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Public Defender. This attorney will provide dedicated and zealous representation to indigent members of our community. Will work within a team of professionals to craft the best possible defenses to a variety of criminal charges including felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile court cases. Deputy Public Defenders interview, advise, and represent clients, structure and direct investigations, prepare trials, pleadings, and motions, and try cases before courts and juries.
This examination will establish an Open Competitive Eligibility list to fill current and/or future vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months or may be extended as needed by Human Resources.
Human Resources reserves the right to call only the most qualified applicants to the selection process.
Some positions may be confidential positions and are excluded from membership in the union.
Some positions may be non-union positions and are excluded from membership in the union.
NOTE: A resume and cover letter are required in addition to the completed employment application. Applications submitted without a copy of the candidate's resume and cover letter are incomplete and will not be considered.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Nevada and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada at time of employment.
All qualifying education and each experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see attached resume" on your application. All details must be written in your own words and cannot be copied from job descriptions or other external sources.
Background Investigation: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Periodically after employment background investigations may be conducted.
Citizenship: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Please note, Clark County does not provide H1B visa sponsorships or transfers for any employment positions.
Pre-Employment Drug Testing: Employment is contingent upon the results of a pre-employment drug examination.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Incumbents are assigned to handle misdemeanor criminal cases, felony arraignments, complex gross misdemeanor, felony criminal, juvenile and/or dependency cases assigned to the Public Defender or Special Public Defender.
- Investigates cases; interviews and counsels indigent defendants and witnesses; may visit crime scenes, jails, and case related sites.
- Confers with investigators regarding the collection of facts and evidence.
- Obtains documents by subpoena and other discovery methods.
- Negotiates with prosecutors, probation officers and judges regarding the disposition or modification of charges.
- Orders investigations; confers with investigators to monitor progress of investigation; interviews defendants and witnesses; prepares for trial, and conducts trial defense of indigent juveniles and adults; appears with and for defendants at court hearings.
- Researches, prepares, files, presents and argues motions;
- Attends pre-trial police lineups; attends arraignments, preliminary hearings, hearings and trials and defends indigent clients in a variety of cases before County or State courts.
- Advise clients on settlement offers, options, and potential for success at trial or other dispositions of cases.
- Conducts legal research and performs various studies; interprets and applies laws, court decisions and legal points and authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions and briefs for the defense.
- Prepares legal pleadings; dictates legal instruments, correspondence and reports.
- When assigned to Juvenile or Dependency, works closely with family members, school officials, community groups, treatment programs, probation officers and the Courts.
- May be involved in handling defense cases involving sexual assault, child molestation, child abuse and/or domestic violence.
- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.
- Maintains accurate records and files; prepares a variety of records and reports as assigned.
- May assist Chief Public Defenders in the handling of capital punishment or other high profile cases.
- Uses standard office equipment, including a computer in the performance of the work.
- May drive a personal or County vehicle in the course of the work or be capable of arranging for transportation to off-site locations in order to attend meetings and conduct other legal business.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Stand for prolonged periods of time. Speak in a clear and comprehensible manner. Hear and respond to questions posed. Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.
Come Make a Difference and Join the Clark County Family where we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Flexible Schedules including 4/10 options
- More Money in Your Pocket
- 100% Employer Paid Defined Benefit Retirement
- No Social Security Deduction
- No State Income Taxes
- - Employer pays 90% of premium
- Pharmacy Benefits (30, 90-day retail or mail order fills)
- 24/7 Telephone Advice Nurse - no employee cost
- Teledoc, Doctoroo, and Dispatch Health
- 13 Paid Holidays including a Floating Birthday Holiday
- Paid Vacation Leave
- Paid Sick Leave
- Holiday Leave
- Catastrophic Leave
- Parental Leave - Up to 90 days
- Guardian - Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
- Trustmark - Permanent Life Insurance benefits and long-term care.
- Sunlife Financial - Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
- TASC - Flexible Spending Account - FSA & Dependent Day Care Debit Card Available
- Morgan Stanley - Deferred Compensation Plan
01
In order to be considered for this position, you must include a resume and cover letter in addition to the application. Applications submitted without a resume will be considered incomplete. Resumes may be attached to the online application or emailed to ashley.gonzalez@clarkcountynv.gov . All application materials must be received by the closing date/time on the posting announcement.
- I understand I must include a resume and cover letter in addition to the completed application in order to be considered for this position. I further understand these must be submitted by the closing date listed on the posting announcement.
02
The following questions 2-7 will be used to assist in determining if candidates meet the minimum qualifications.Which best describes your level of education?
- Some High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Trade School or Technical Degree
- Some College (1-29 semester credits)
- Some College (30-59 semester credits)
- Some College (60-89 semester credits)
- Some College (90-120+ semester credits)
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or higher
- None of the above
03
List all degrees received that are directly related to the position (see template below).
College/University:
Did you graduate:
College Major/Minor:
Semester Credits Completed:
Degree Received:
04
Do you currently possess a Nevada State Bar license?
- Yes
- No
05
If you answered "Yes" to question 4, please list your Nevada State Bar number and the date of admission. Type N/A if not applicable.
06
If you answered "No" to question 4, please list the date you are scheduled to take the Nevada State Bar Exam. Type N/A if not applicable.
07
Are you eligible to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada?
08
The following skills assessment is a self-assessment used to evaluate an applicant's training and experience.
I understand that:
A) Part-time experience must be prorated and credited as half of full-time experience (i.e., if you performed the task for two years in a part-time position, 20 hours per week, you can only credit yourself with one year of experience in that area)
B) The education, knowledge, and experience levels indicated by my skills assessment responses must be supported and clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of my application;
C) Any falsification or misrepresentation of the information listed on the employment application or skills assessment may result in removal from the eligibility list or rescinding a job offer;
D) Responses to assessment questions that are not supported and clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections on the application may result in question scores being adjusted to receive zero points;
E) Assessment scores may be used to consider applicants for the selection process;
F) I further understand that since exam scores will be automatically generated based on the applicant's response to each item in the assessment, score appeals will not be allowed for this recruitment.
- I have read and understand the above information regarding the completion of the following skills assessment questions. I further understand that this recruitment includes a skills assessment and that the answers I provide must be consistent with the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections detailed on my application and that scoring appeals will not be allowed for this recruitment.
09
Indicate your full-time professional experience working or volunteering in a public defender setting.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
10
Indicate your full-time professional experience working within a team setting.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
11
Indicate your full-time professional experience working with privileged and confidential information.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
12
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in questions 9 - 11. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
13
Indicate your full-time professional experience working with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds (e.g. social/community programs or volunteering in a community setting with the mentally ill, drug and/or alcohol addicted individuals).
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
14
Indicate your full-time professional experience interviewing litigants and/or witnesses in a court proceeding whether civil or criminal.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
15
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in questions 13 - 14. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
16
Indicate your full-time professional experience working with case management databases, electronic legal research, word processing and communication software.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
17
Indicate your full-time professional experience presenting cases in a court of law.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
18
Indicate your full-time professional experience communicating with Judges and/or adverse counsel regarding legal proceedings.
- No Experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- More than 6 years
19
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in questions 16 - 18. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
20
Please indicate if you ever worked, clerked or interned for a Judge and/or Public Defender's Office and/or Public Agency (either civil or criminal). Select all that apply.
- Interned/Worked for a judge
- Interned/Worked for a Public Defender's office
- Interned/Worked for a public agency
- No - I have not previously worked in the above-listed capacities
21
Please list all employer(s) and each job title on your application where your experience was obtained in question 20. The template provided below must be completed in its entirety or the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible to move forward in the process. Type N/A if you have no related experience (see template below). Do not list "see attached resume"
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Hours Worked Per Week:
Dates of Employment:
22
Please indicate below the statement that best describes your Spanish bilingual ability.
- I am not bilingual in Spanish
- I have a good comprehension of Spanish
- I speak Spanish fluently
- I read and write Spanish at a proficient level
- I read, write, and speak Spanish fluently
23
Do you currently hold a valid driver's license?
- Yes, I currently hold a valid Nevada driver's license.
- Yes, I currently hold a valid driver's license from another state.
- No, I do not currently hold a valid driver's license.
Required Question