PARENTAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: BALTIMORE CITY
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I, II, & III
Recruitment #24-005799-0030
Department | OPD District Operations |
---|---|
Date Opened | 10/30/2024 11:59:00 PM |
Filing Deadline | 12/31/2024 11:59:00 PM |
Salary | Assistant Public Defender I: starting at $86,752 Grade: 20, Step 06 |
Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
HR Analyst | Angela Stokes |
Work Location |
Baltimore City
|
GRADE
Main Purpose of Job
The Maryland Office of the Public
Defender (MOPD) seeks a zealous and dedicated advocate to serve as an Assistant
Public Defender in our Parental Defense Division (PDD). The Parental Defense
Division protects and advances the rights of parents and/or legal guardians in
Child in Need of Assistance/Termination of Parental Rights (CINA/TPR)
proceedings. MOPD is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and
strongly encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law
to apply.
MOPD’s vision is for Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All,
and we are committed to our core values of a culture of excellence,
client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and being united as a team
in achieving our mission. At MOPD we use our legal education and experience to
fight for justice and fairness, and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of
human suffering. Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and
perspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up against
prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity. MOPD seeks candidates who will join
us in providing compassionate, competent, zealous, and client-centered
representation to all of our clients. Learn more about our mission and
commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
POSITION DUTIES
Overview of the Position
Parental Defenders represent parents and/or legal guardians whose
children have been removed or are at risk of being removed from their care and
custody by the State. The attorney in this position will represent clients in
adversarial proceedings from the initial Emergency Shelter Care Hearing to the
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) trial. Our attorneys are critical thinkers
with a demonstrated ability to apply legal analysis in an area of the law that
may be unsettled. Attorneys must be willing to challenge the system with a
healthy sense of outrage and be persistent in the face of ambiguity or outright
resistance to their position. Parental Defenders must be able to handle
case-related emergencies and various personalities in a fast-paced, high-pressure
environment, and follow office procedures and processes. This position is for
our Baltimore City office.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
● Protect clients’ Constitutional rights to raise and rear their children.
● Defend
clients against allegations of neglect and/or abuse.
● Utilize
excellent litigation and oral advocacy skills.
● Zealously and compassionately advocate on behalf of clients at every
stage of the proceeding.
● Engage in motion practice, legal research, and writing.
● Obtain, organize, and review records and documents necessary for
preparing a defense.
● Develop and maintain client relationships over the extended life of the
case.
● Collaborate with PDD social workers, criminal defense attorneys, parent
advocates, and others
aspart of a multidisciplinary defense team.
●Ensure clients are consistently heard and respected. Be
non-judgmental and empathetic towards
clients experiencing
socio-economic challenges and/or barriers.
●Effectively and
compassionately communicate with clients, colleagues, and service providers to
ensure
optimal outcomes for clients.
●Continuously seek
professional and personal development through training, continuing legal
education, and trial skills courses.
● Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Core Competencies and Requirements
● Demonstrated commitment to
service marginalized communities.
● Dedication to upending
systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness.
● Compassion and empathy.
● Excellent research,
writing, and oral advocacy skills.
● Strong
interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with people from
different backgrounds and experiences.
● Ability to thrive in a
fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.
● Ability to use technology
to telework and participate in virtual court hearings as necessary.
● Strong organizational,
legal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high caseload with short
deadlines.
●Prior experience in litigation including CINA/TPR, Criminal, Civil,
Juvenile, or Family Law (experience may include internships, law school
clinical programs, or any other relevant experience).
● Strong communication and
client advocacy skills.
● Active membership in good standing in
the Maryland Bar or Bar of another state is required. Attorneys barred in
another state must become a member of the Maryland Bar within 18 months of
their start date.
BENEFITS
Salary
Salary
is dependent on experience and the State of Maryland salary rules will apply to
any offer made. This would be a lateral transfer for MOPD attorneys.
Assistant Public Defender I: $86,752.00 Grade 20: Step 6
Assistant
Public Defender II: $96,227.00 Grade 21: Step 8
Assistant Public Defender III: $106,620.00 Grade 22: Step 10
Benefits
The Maryland Office of
the Public Defender offers a generous benefits package that includes excellent
medical, dental, and vision insurance. Benefits also include retirement
savings, life insurance, and the option to participate in supplemental
retirement options. MOPD Employees receive 6 days of personal leave, 15 days of
sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual leave each calendar year in addition
to paid holidays, and parental leave.
For more details and a full list of
benefits as an employee with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender click here.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
How to Apply
To be considered, you must complete the online
application AND submit the required documents.
When you get to the tab labeled resume, you should INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS in the resume upload. The required documents for this position
are listed below.
1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position.
3. A list of four professional references, please include your
relationship to the reference.
4. A law school transcript (if graduated within the last three
years).
Incomplete applications will not be
considered.
Individuals selected for an interview
will receive an invitation for a Spark Hire interview invitation.
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, office environments, and detention
facilities 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.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. | Apply Online |
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. | This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. |
Apply via Paper Application. | You may also download and complete the Paper Application here. |