Lead Assistant Public Defender

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Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services (SBIDS)

Our mission is to fulfill the constitutional promise of a zealous defense by providing our clients with team-based advocacy that champions their human dignity and achieves just outcomes on their behalf.

SBIDS Current Job Openings

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $72,500.00 - $113,006.25

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

The Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Lead Assistant Public Defender (PD III) in the Eleventh Judicial Public Defender Office in Pittsburg, Kansas. This office will serve Crawford, Labette, and Cherokee County.

The position of Lead Assistant Public Defender is for attorneys with a preferred minimum of 5 years of experience. Attorneys at this level have demonstrated the ability to independently handle all severity level of cases and the most complex matters with supervision. Will represent adults charged with criminal felonies in their local district court jurisdiction who are deemed indigent and unable to afford to hire an attorney.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

The Public Defender III will possess advanced litigation skills, and are proficient at comprehensive motions practice. Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating all severity level cases and regularly are involved in complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues within their office.

Public Defender III exhibit an outstanding dedication to the Public Defender system and its clients. Public Defender III are capable of assuming informal leadership roles within their office in any areas of practice, including acting as a support for their office management team, and/or assisting with the professional development of less experienced attorneys and staff.

When called upon by their Chief Public Defender, Public Defender III must assume additional responsibilities in assisting with the development, guidance of others, and/or filling agency-wide, administrative office-defined needs. These attorneys maintain the highest standards of professionalism, inspire others, and take active steps to create a positive, safe, and supportive office culture.

Qualifications:

Education

• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school
• Licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment

Licensing & Certification

• Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas
• Must have a valid driver's license

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have exceptional communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written and oral form.
• Ability to use all necessary electronic devices including computers, e-filing systems, as well as case management systems.
• Ability to coordinate with supporting personnel to provide client-centered, holistic representation.
• Must have appropriate time management skills and organizational skills and demonstrate proficiency of avoiding unnecessary delays in client's cases through appropriate preparation and planning.
• Must be able to process, organize and manage complex litigation.
• Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
• Must be able to effectively interact with clients, co-workers and other colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Must be academically curious about criminal law and procedure.
• Must be able to treat every client, witness and colleague with dignity and respect without exception.
• Must demonstrate an on-going commitment to a client-centered practice.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
• Occasional travel to other work locations including courts and jail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in criminal defense or other comparable legal practice

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Shawn Keeling
• Email: bidsrecruiter@sbids.org
• Phone: 785-296-6631
• Mailing Address: 700 SW Jackson Street, Suite 500 Topeka, KS 66603

Job Application Process

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample
• List of three professional references
• If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, please also include your DD214

Send resume, cover letter, writing sample, list of professional references, and DD214 (if applicable) to Shawn Keeling at bidsrecruiter@sbids.org . In the email subject line please include "Public Defender III Application - "Lead Assistant Public Defender Pittsburg".

Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, open until filled.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov : "How to Search for a Job - Instructions"

Required documents for this application to be complete:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's tax account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws.

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.