Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Open Position – Call for Applicants
Deputy Public Defender (Public Defender IV)
Eleventh Judicial District Public Defender Office (Crawford, Labette, Cherokee County)
Pittsburg, KS
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Deputy Public Defender (Public Defender IV):
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Public Defender (PD IV) in the Eleventh Judicial District Public Defender Office in Pittsburg, Kansas. This office will serve Crawford, Labette, and Cherokee County.
The position of Deputy Public Defender is reserved for attorneys who hold a formal and designated supervisory position, and who act as part of their office’s management team.
The Mission:
The Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), through its regional public defender offices like the Eleventh Judicial District Public Defender Office, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.
The office of the Eleventh Judicial District Public Defender is entirely new in Pittsburg, Kansas. We are looking for dynamic, client-centered advocates who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to fundamentally rebuild our system and transform the new public defender office in the Eleventh Judicial District into a model of collaborative public defense practice.
Responsibilities:
Deputy Public Defenders assist with the evaluation of employee performance within their office and perform administrative tasks as assigned by their Chief Public Defender. Deputy Public Defenders assign work to the attorneys and staff, assist in personnel matters, schedule and lead office and project meetings as needed, and conduct trainings when called upon to do so. Deputy Public Defenders assist the Chief Public Defender in addressing office matters and larger criminal justice issues in their jurisdiction.
Deputy Public Defenders represent adults charged with criminal felonies in their local district court jurisdiction who are deemed indigent and unable to afford to hire an attorney. They also carry a slightly reduced caseload to allow for their duties providing active supervision of the other attorneys and support staff in the office, as directed by the Chief Public Defender.
Deputy Defenders are readily and regularly accessible to the employees in the office. Deputy Defenders help to develop a positive office culture and support and implement the directives of the Chief Public Defender and the Executive Director. Deputy Defenders may help the Chief Public Defender write objective and comprehensive employee evaluations, recognize and answer ethical questions, and make client-conflict determinations, among other office management duties. Deputy Public Defenders may also serve as a liaison between the District Court, the County or District Attorney Office, community legal or justice-oriented associations or committees, and the Public Defender Office.
Salary and Benefits:
Compensation for this position (Public Defender IV) ranges from $85,000 - $126,787.50. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications. We are happy to discuss salary expectations with interested applicants.
The State of Kansas Employment Benefits Package includes:
• 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
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Programs
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Qualifications
Minimum requirements for this position include:
• At least 5 years of criminal defense experience handling major felonies preferred.
• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school and licensed attorney who is active and in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment. Attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire.
• Must have exceptional communication skills.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate in written and oral form.
• Must have the ability to use all necessary electronic devices including computers, e-filing systems, as well as case management systems.
• Must have the 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.
Highly preferred qualifications include:
• Prior or current service as a trial-level public defender.
• Prior administrative or supervisory experience.
• Prior service as a Deputy Defender.
• Prior experience handling personnel issues.
• Experience developing or leading training programs.
• Experience creating and implementing new office policies.
• Ability to demonstrate a continuing commitment to the provision of quality criminal defense services to indigent clients.
• Experience and/or familiarity with holistic, client-centered public defense practices.
• Experience working with economically and racially diverse populations.
Application Materials Needed:
• 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 references, and DD214 (if applicable) by email to Shawn Keeling at [email protected]:
Shawn Keeling
Human Resources Professional, Administration Office State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
[email protected]
When emailing application materials, please include “Pittsburg Deputy Application” in your email subject line.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and positions are open until filled.
Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to two pre- employment conditions which include:
• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
• Governor’s salary approval.
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