Indigent Defense Career Specialist - West Michigan Region

Job Summary

Under the administrative supervision of the Operations Manager, the Public Defense Career Specialist serves as the primary coordinator of initiatives intended to both attract new professionals into the field of public defense and ensure employee sustainability within the workplace. The Public Defense Career Specialist will be a member of the Calhoun County Public Defender Office while also assisting other Public Defender Offices in the Western Michigan region. This position plays a critical role in supporting the office’s mission to provide quality legal representation by bringing in top talent dedicated to public service.

Calhoun County is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workplace that provides an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all employees and the public it serves.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates with law schools, colleges, graduate schools, and defender leaders to build outstanding internship, externship, and fellowship programs.
• Assists the Public Defender’s Office in the development and implementation of new programs and partnerships.
• Trains defender leaders on best-practices in recruitment, retention, culture, and employee well-being.
• Promotes careers in Michigan’s public defense systems at the local, state, and national level.
• Collects recruitment metrics, provides reports on hiring progress, and tracks key performance indicators.
• Screens candidates, selects qualified and interested candidates for the interviewing phase, and connects candidates with the hiring manager.
• Checks candidates’ references and credentials, verifying experience and background.
• Follows up with the hiring manager following interviews to determine whether a placement can be made. Collects feedback when a placement is unsuccessful.
• Arranges meeting locations, travel, and/or accommodations for applicants when necessary.
• Maintains and ensures compliance with applicable equal employment opportunity (EEO) and related employment laws and regulations.
• Oversees and manages a pool of candidate relationships, ensuring they feel engaged throughout the process and may match with future opportunities.
• Implement strategies to attract a diverse pool of candidates emphasizing the Public Defender’s commitment to inclusivity and equity in hiring.
• Utilize creative sourcing techniques to identify passive and active candidates including social media, job fairs, colleges, job boards, service organizations, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 2 years of recruitment, human resources, or communication experience, preferably in a legal environment or public sector.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills are required. Must possess the interpersonal skills necessary to build positive relationships with members of the office, other county departments, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, outside defender offices, university staff and students, and members of the public.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, social media, and applicant tracking systems.
• Creativity and a willingness to develop novel solutions.
• Excellent strategic, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• The ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Possess a strong commitment to continuing education, training, and professional development along with a willingness to embrace change and new challenges.
• Ability to travel between County buildings and attend off-site meetings as needed, with reliable transportation.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups from a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies with a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Supplemental Information

Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
Working Conditions
Hybrid Work Classification: Hybrid Eligible
Flexibility Classification: Flexible Schedule Eligible

• Normal office environment with occasional discomfort due to heat, dust, and noise.
• Extended workdays (beyond eight hours/days and weekends) are occasionally required.

• Availability to handle work problems, attend meetings, handle emergencies/crisis situations is occasionally required.
• Up to 20% of time may include travel and time in other locations.

Calhoun County's benefits package offers flexibility, choice, and value. It is an attractive component of our employees total compensation package. At Calhoun County, we know that good benefit plans are important to employees and their families. We're committed to providing employees with access to a wide range of information and tools so they can stay informed and make the most of their Calhoun County flexible benefit package.

What benefits does Calhoun County offer its full time employees?

Medical: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan with 3 Different Flexible Benefit Plan Options
Dental: 100% Employer Paid through Delta Dental
Vision: 100% Employer Paid through BCBSM Vision Services Plan (VSP)
Employee Health & Wellness Center (Premise Health): Most Services 100% Employer Paid
Life Insurance: 100% Employer Paid for Basic Life & AD&D
Short Term Disability: 100% Employer Paid for 67% Wage Loss Benefits up to 26 Weeks
Retirement: Employer 401(k) Match Program Up to 7% of Employee Contribution
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 100% Employer Paid Through Bronson HelpNet

Click Here for BENEFIT INFORMATION AND FORMS
Flexible Scheduling & Telecommuting Options Depending on Position & Department

• Start through fourth years – 168 Hours (4.2 weeks based on 40-hour work week)
• Fifth through ninth years – 208 Hours (5.2 weeks)
• Tenth through fourteenth years – 248 Hours (6.2 weeks)
• Fifteen and Subsequent years – 288 Hours (7.2 weeks)

(amounts & distribution may vary slightly by union contract, policy, and/or defined work week)

Paid Holidays: 14 Paid Holidays Throughout the Year

Additional Voluntary Benefits:
Term Life Insurance (above Employer Paid Plan)
Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
Long Term Disability Wage Loss Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Employee Wellness Program
Perks Program (discounts at local merchants for being a County employee)

Part-time Employees may elect insurance, provided the Employee pays the full cost of the premium through payroll deduction.