Requisition No: 801698
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT - ASST PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21008586
Position Number: 21008586
Salary: $60,000
Posting Closing Date: 11/03/2023
Are you looking for a rewarding role within an organization where you can earn competitive compensation and have access to a comprehensive benefits package? If you are, then the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, may be the place for you. The agency is seeking qualified Assistant Public Defender applicants.
The work that public defenders do is vitally important. Becoming an Assistant Public Defender would allow you to be involved with the defense of indigent individuals accused of a crime, and would allow you endless opportunities to make a real difference within the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Attorneys at the agency are offered extensive entry-level training, as well as professional development opportunities.
A Florida Bar license is required to be placed in the Assistant Public Defender role. In addition to current Florida Bar members, the agency will interview applicants who are awaiting admission to the Florida Bar, as well as applicants who are registered (or who plan to register) to take Florida Bar examination. The agency offers a select number of positions, with a start date after the July Florida Bar examination. These candidates join the agency with the goal of becoming a member of the Florida Bar upon passing the bar examination, and transitioning to the Assistant Public Defender role thereafter.
Applicants should attach an updated resume that indicates whether or not they are a current member of the Florida Bar. If not currently a member of the Florida Bar, applicants should detail the anticipated date that they will take, or have taken, the Florida Bar examination and indicate if they are a current Certified Legal Intern. In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining relevant experience, and detailing their interest in the agency and the field of criminal defense.
To learn more about the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, visit: http://www.pd20.org/
To learn more about benefits offered to eligible employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/
Please see below for the Assistant Public Defender position description. If you have any questions, please contact the agency's Human Resources Department by emailing employment@pd20.org.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary responsibility of Assistant Public Defenders is to provide highly efficient and professional representation to our clients. Duties include, but are not limited to:
accepting, researching, and preparing each case efficiently and expeditiously;
advising and counseling each client regarding plea offers, client’s rights and options, strategies, sentencing, appellate rights, etc.;
establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with each client, family, witness, and court personnel;
maintaining open lines of communications with clients and their families, witnesses, and court personnel;
involving investigators, interns and other support staff appropriately;
seeking assistance from experts appropriate to the case;
demonstrating maturity and a professional demeanor at all times;
exercising sound judgment to achieve desired results;
handling emergency assignments when needed;
attending and participating in training seminars, division meetings, and staffing sessions;
abiding by all Public Defender policies and procedures outlined in manual including but not limited to attendance, punctuality and professional dress code; and performing other related work as required.
Ability to:
Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and staff
Use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Follow written and oral instructions and procedures
Exhibit sound judgment and good listening skills
Handle matters with integrity and confidentiality
Plan and prepare reports, correspondence, and charts in a variety of formats
Use personal computer and general office equipment
Be extremely organized, establish priorities, and meet deadlines
Maintain an effective filing system
Manage multiple assignments simultaneously including long- and short-range projects
Be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need
Travel to various locations throughout the circuit for assignments and training
Effectively utilize Microsoft Word and Outlook
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctorate
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and transcripts.
REASONING ABILITY
Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Valid Florida Driver’s license, Florida Bar License Required
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level for this position is moderate.
EQUIPMENT UTILIZED
Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, cell phone
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender, are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.
The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.