Introduction
***REPOST - PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY***
The Office of The Public Defender is a statewide agency charged with providing superior legal representation for indigent defendants. The agency's vision is of Justice, Fairness and Dignity for All. Employees are committed to the core values of maintaining a culture of excellence, providing client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and being united as a team in achieving the agency's mission.
The Office of the Public Defender is seeking detail-oriented applicants with customer service and data entry skills for full-time, entry level, Contractual Public Defender Intake Specialist I. The position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment in our Parental Defense Division located in the Upper Marlboro, Maryland office.
The Contractual Public Defender Intake Specialist I interviews individuals to obtain background and financial information to determine their eligibility for public defender services. Application information is obtained from the individuals in our office, the courthouse, and occasionally the county detention center. Applicants must be able to obtain a security clearance to enter into the local detention facility to conduct interviews. Intake Specialists interview parents and guardians who are requesting public defender representation for hearings. Significant client contact is required to provide and gather information for case file preparation and attorney assistance. Data entry of case information is required in this position. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
GRADE
8
LOCATION OF POSITION
14753 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
Main Purpose of Job
The Public Defender Intake Specialist I is the first interaction clients have with the Office of the Public Defender. Professionalism, people skills, and empathy are a must. Intake Specialists are responsible for the creation of the file for the attorney, creating and mailing assignment letters to clients and attorneys, and filing entries of appearance with the court. Additionally, the Intake Specialist I must answer phones, enter data, and contact panel attorneys to determine their availability to take case assignments. Public Defender Intake Specialist I will also help with organization of casefiles. Employees in this classification do not supervise.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Six months of experience interviewing persons for the purpose of obtaining and verifying background or financial information.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute additional experience interviewing persons for the purpose of obtaining background or financial information on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
2. Candidates may substitute 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Compliance Inspection and Support classifications or Compliance Inspection and Support specialty codes in the Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Proficiency in data entry, strong communication skills and experience working in a fast-paced retail or office environment. Customer service experience and a strong interest in working with indigent defendants and their families. Must be able to obtain a security clearance to enter into the local detention facility to conduct interviews.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of the position. You may be required to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online Applications Preferred. Please fax all paper applications and questionnaires to (410) 333-2260.Inquiries regarding applications and submitting paper applications can be directed to: Office of the Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202; or by calling (410) 767-8500, toll free: 877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service 800-735-2258.
Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing. A paper copy of the MD State application form and questionnaire can be downloaded from the link below.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
