Deputy Public Defender I

The Churchill County Public Defender's Office is offering a rewarding and challenging career opportunity to legal professionals as a Deputy Public Defender I. The Public Defender's Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the Public Defender's Office to protect every client's constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted. The Public Defender's Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.

The person in this position must possess the requisite skills and enthusiasm to be charged with the competent and thorough representation of indigent clients. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctorate in Law and admittance to practice in the State courts of Nevada and a minimum of two years of experience as a licensed Nevada attorney with courtroom experience.

As a full-time, regular position, the person hired would be enrolled in the Nevada PERS retirement system. In addition to the salary paid, the county contributes an additional 36.75% into PERS on the employee's behalf (value of $115.88 / hour or $33,000 annually). In addition, the employee will not contribute to Social Security, resulting in an additional 6% in take-home pay (an equivalent of $2.59 / hour or $5,390 annually). The county also pays 100% for employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $6.15 / hour or $12,800 annually). Employees in these positions will also receive full accruals of vacation leave (8 hours per month) and sick leave (10 hours per month). These employees also receive 8 hours for pay for paid holidays.

This position will be open until filled, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply without delay. In addition to filling out the online application (at www.churchillcounty.org / careers), applicants are required to electronically attach a résumé, cover letter (indicating why you are interested in working as a Deputy Public Defender), and a recent writing sample that demonstrates your writing skills and analytical ability pertaining to a legal case or issue. If an applicant has difficulty attaching documents, the applicant should email

HR@churchillcountynv.gov

with the documents and the applicant's contact information.

POSITION SUMMARY :

Represent the Office of the Public Defender by providing entry-level professional legal services in a variety of indigent criminal cases, investigations, trial preparation in a court in the State of Nevada; prepares and reviews a variety of complex legal documents; and provides assistance to or handles a variety of criminal and juvenile cases. This is an at-will position that serves at the pleasure of the Public Defender. This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Works under the direction of the Public Defender / Alternate Public Defender in acting as legal counsel for indigent clients in a wide variety of defense cases; cases include criminal misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony cases; juvenile delinquency cases; 432B cases; termination of parental rights cases; guardianship cases; parole hearings; appellate work.
• Reviews criminal complaints and analyzes them for the propriety of charges.
• 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.
• Appears on behalf of clients at all hearings including, but not limited to, arraignments, preliminary hearings, motion hearings, bail hearings, jury trials, mediations, drug court and other specialty courts, probation revocation hearings and sanity hearings.
• Prepares for, and conducts, hearings and trials including bench trials and jury trials.
• Prepares appellate cases including briefings and oral arguments before appellate courts.
• Presents plea negotiations to prosecutors; negotiates with prosecutors, probation officers and judges regarding the disposition or modification of charges; advises clients on settlement offers, options, and potential for success at trial or other dispositions of cases.
• Performs legal research and 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.
• Maintains accurate records and files; prepares a variety of records and reports as assigned.
• 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.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

Education and Experience :

Juris Doctorate in Law and admittance to practice in the State courts of Nevada; or as provided by Supreme Court rule; O R Under the Nevada Supreme Court's rules of practice, applicants who are admitted to practice in any other jurisdiction may apply under NSCR 49.1 (as amended by ADKT 616 in June 2024) to practice law in the Office of Public Defender WITHOUT the need to take the Nevada Bar Examination. Minimum of two years of experience as a licensed Nevada attorney; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of :

Skill in :

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS :

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone and in person.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :

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