ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER SUPERVISOR
District IV (Charles County)
Recruitment #23-005357-0008
Department | Office of the Public Defender |
---|---|
Date Opened | 8/14/2023 11:59:00 PM |
Filing Deadline | 9/19/2023 11:59:00 PM |
Salary | $116,882.00 - $144,573.00/year |
Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
HR Analyst | Marie Figueroa Ocasio |
Work Location |
Calvert
Charles St. Mary's |
Introduction
The
Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) seeks an experienced, zealous,
dedicated, and demonstrated leader to serve as the Supervising Attorney in District
IV’s Charles County office. OPD is committed to building a culturally diverse
staff and strongly encourages people historically underrepresented in the
practice of law to apply. This is an internal opportunity only open to current
OPD attorneys.
District
IV (Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Public Defender offices) are busy, rural public
defender offices with approximately 30+ attorneys and staff in total with 14+
employees specifically located in Charles County. OPD strives to achieve Justice,
Fairness, and Dignity for All. Our employees are committed to the core
values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, and tenacious
advocacy, and are united as a team in achieving the OPD’s mission.
GRADE
Main Purpose of Job
The Supervising Attorney combines their demonstrated
dedication to the representation of indigent clients with strong leadership and
litigation skills to ensure the highest standard of client representation in a
team-oriented environment focused on a client-centered approach to representation.
The Supervising Attorney is involved in the day-to-day operations and
supervision of attorneys, maintains an active caseload, interfaces with the
Judiciary, and helps promote community engagement in the county. This position
will be primarily located in La Plata, Maryland supervising attorneys handling
District and Circuit Court matters; however, members of the supervision team may provide coverage to the other counties
within the District.
POSITION DUTIES
Primary Duties
- Reports to the District Public Defender and Deputy District Public Defender.
- Works closely with the other leadership team members to maintain a high standard of representation by ensuring accountability while fostering mentorship, teamwork, and communication.
- Actively consults with attorneys regarding case preparation and trial strategy.
- Fosters a culture of excellence, resourcefulness, and zealousness amongst attorneys and staff.
- Ensures accountability through the regular evaluation of attorney and staff performance.
- Participates with leadership teams in interviewing and hiring new Misdemeanor Division attorneys.
- Works with other agencies and entities involved in the criminal justice system to help meet the needs of clients.
- Works closely with the Training Division and other Statewide Divisions to ensure effective representation through the development of relevant policies, practices, and training (including conducting regular in-house training programs).
- Contributes to and seeks professional development through statewide and in-house training and trial skills programs.
- Works collaboratively with all team members (including support staff, supervisors, investigators, social workers, and experts) to achieve the best result for each client.
- Maintains an active caseload.
- Other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.
Training
- Demonstrated commitment to zealous and comprehensive public defense.
- Excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
- A desire to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with constructive feedback and performance evaluations.
- Substantial criminal litigation experience and strong trial skills (a minimum of 3 years felony experience preferred).
- Commitment to addressing systemic inadequacies and inequities in the criminal justice system.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, adversaries, clients, and family members, irrespective of differences in backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to manage dynamic teams and high-volume caseloads.
- Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, supervisory, client advocacy, and management abilities.
- Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another state. Attorneys barred in another state must become a member of the Maryland Bar within 18 months of the start date.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.
Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.
Notes:
1. Candidates shall be an Attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, at time of appointment.
2. The above requirements are set by the Office of the Public Defender in accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, Section 16-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
If you wish to be considered,
please below to fill out the application and submit the following items in one PDF attachment through the Maryland
State Government Job Openings Page Resume tab: (1)
a current resume, (2) a cover letter addressing the above qualifications, and (3)
a list of four professional references. Incomplete applications will not
be considered.
Assistant Public Defenders are full-time
employees and cannot engage in the private practice of law while in this position.
MD Code, Criminal Procedure Art., Section 16-203(d)(2).
As a State agency, the Maryland Office of
the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity
employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age,
sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or
genetic information.
All applicants must be able to communicate
with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a
fast-paced work environment. Applicants
must be able to work in various positions and travel to various courtrooms and
office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further committed to
providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with
disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities by modifying
or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make
reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the
applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform
the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits
and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated
employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue
hardship.
Applicants must be able to operate a
computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor
vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable
accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources
Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.