PARENTAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: BALTIMORE COUNTY
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I, II, & III
Recruitment #24-005799-0031
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: $86,752.00 Grade 20: Step 6 |
HR Analyst | Angela Stokes |
Work Location |
Baltimore County
|
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 in all of the spaces we occupy. 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
O
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 attorneys 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 County 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 as part 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 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. |