What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Public Defender or Senior Deputy Public Defender position at Consolidated Municipality of Carson City?
This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position with the Carson City Public Defender Office, located in Carson City, Nevada. Depending on qualifications this recruitment is open to hire a Deputy Public Defender or Senior Deputy Public Defender.
Deputy Public Defender:
Under general supervision, performs a wide range of professional criminal defense work in the Public Defender's Office; performs legal research; provides representation to indigent defendants in criminal cases and NRS 432B proceedings; performs legal research; represents the Public Defender on assigned cases; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the first level in the Public Defender series. Incumbents are expected to perform a wide range of the legal assignments performed in the Public Defender’s Office. It differs from the Supervising Public Defender classification in that the Supervising Public Defender has more experience and typically handles more difficult cases and/or assignments and is responsible for supervision.
Salary Ranges:
Deputy Public Defender:
Employer Paid Retirement: $82,965.40 - $116,426.39 annually
Senior Deputy Public Defender:
Employer Paid Retirement: $100,180.73 - $137,247.50 annually
To learn more about the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), click here (Download PDF reader).
**This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.**
Please Note: Human Resources determines whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for the job based on your experience as you describe it on your application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "See Attached Resume" on your application. We do not review resumes, unless specifically stated on the job announcement. Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education and Work Experience" section of the application. Applicants not meeting these requirements will not be considered for employment.
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
Deputy Public Defender:
Deputy Public Defender:
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate AND admittance to practice law in Nevada.
Experience in the practice of law with a focus on criminal defense is preferred.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:
Skill in:
Senior Deputy Public Defender:
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:
Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; exposure to traffic conditions and external environment when traveling from one office to another.
Deputy Public Defender:
Under general supervision, performs a wide range of professional criminal defense work in the Public Defender's Office; performs legal research; provides representation to indigent defendants in criminal cases and NRS 432B proceedings; performs legal research; represents the Public Defender on assigned cases; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the first level in the Public Defender series. Incumbents are expected to perform a wide range of the legal assignments performed in the Public Defender’s Office. It differs from the Supervising Public Defender classification in that the Supervising Public Defender has more experience and typically handles more difficult cases and/or assignments and is responsible for supervision.
Senior Deputy Public Defender:
Under general supervision, performs a wide range of professional criminal defense work in the Public Defender's Office; performs legal research; provides representation to indigent defendants in criminal cases and NRS 432B proceedings; performs legal research; represents the Public Defender on assigned cases; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the second level in the Deputy Public Defender series. Incumbants are expected to perform a wide range of the regular legal assignments performed in the Public Defender’s Office. It differs from the Deputy Public Defender classification in that the assignment of matters are more complex and require more experience and knowledge. The Senior Deputy Public Defender is the highest classification that can be achieved without supervisory or administrative responsibility.
Salary Ranges:
Deputy Public Defender:
Employer Paid Retirement: $82,965.40 - $116,426.39 annually
Senior Deputy Public Defender:
Employer Paid Retirement: $100,180.73 - $137,247.50 annually
To learn more about the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), click here (Download PDF reader).
**This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.**
Please Note: Human Resources determines whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for the job based on your experience as you describe it on your application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "See Attached Resume" on your application. We do not review resumes, unless specifically stated on the job announcement. Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education and Work Experience" section of the application. Applicants not meeting these requirements will not be considered for employment.
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
Deputy Public Defender:
- Review criminal complaints and analyze for the propriety of charge(s).
- Conduct client interviews.
- Coordinate and conduct investigations and interviews.
- Analyze the facts of a case and legal precedents for preliminary hearing motions, stipulations, or waivers.
- Analyze preliminary hearing or grand jury transcripts for pre-arraignment writ or motion presentations.
- Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
- Conduct arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials.
- Assemble evidence and legal materials for trial purposes and/or discussion of settlements with prosecutors.
- Prepare pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
- Prepare appellate cases including briefings and oral arguments before appellate courts.
- Carry out procedures for probation, parole revocation, extraditions, and insanity matters.
- Represent clients in family court, review petitions for propriety of the proposed actions; conduct hearings on petitions, reviews, and dispositions; and attend case plan meetings/staffing with clients and social workers to include home visits with clients if applicable.
- Coordinate legal work with the District Attorney's office and other law enforcement agencies without impairing the defense.
- Meet with and discuss cases with clients and their families.
- May represent parties in termination of parental rights cases and guardianships/probation revocations and discuss settlements with prosecutors and social workers.
- Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, public, and staff.
- Acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace.
- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the division’s services by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
- Review criminal complaints and analyze for the propriety of charge(s).
- Conduct client interviews.
- Coordinate and conduct investigations and interviews.
- Analyze the facts of a case and legal precedents for preliminary hearing motions, stipulations, or waivers.
- Analyze preliminary hearing or grand jury transcripts for pre-arraignment writ or motion presentations.
- Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
- Conduct arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials.
- Assemble evidence and legal materials for trial purposes and/or discussion of settlements with prosecutors.
- Prepare pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
- Prepare appellate cases including briefings and oral arguments before appellate courts.
- Carry out procedures for probation, parole revocation, extraditions, and insanity matters.
- Represent clients in family court, review petitions for propriety of the proposed actions; conduct hearings on petitions, reviews and dispositions; and attend case plan meetings/staffing with clients and social workers to include home visits with clients if applicable.
- Coordinate legal work with the District Attorney's office and other law enforcement agencies without impairing the defense.
- Meet with and discuss cases with clients and their families.
- May represent parties in termination of parental rights cases and guardianships/probation revocations and discuss settlements with prosecutors and social workers.
- Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, public, and staff.
- Acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace.
- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the division’s services by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
Deputy Public Defender:
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate AND admittance to practice law in Nevada.
Experience in the practice of law with a focus on criminal defense is preferred.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
- Valid driver license.
- Current membership in the Nevada State Bar is required.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:
- Judicial procedure and rules of evidence; applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
- Computer applications related to the performance of legal research and writing.
- Techniques for dealing with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
- Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- The Penal Code and other Nevada statutes and their application to criminal and civil law.
- Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
- The principles of criminal, constitutional and administrative Law.
- Legal research methods and available programs for legal research.
- Principles of budget preparation and fiscal accounting.
Skill in:
- Performing a regular caseload of legal representation work in the Public Defender's Office with considerable independence.
- Analyzing facts and applying legal principles and precedents to specific criminal and civil cases.
- Performing legal research, developing legal issues, and presenting clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law.
- Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Maintaining effective working relationships with others.
- Effectively representing the Public Defender's Office in contacts with the public, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.
Senior Deputy Public Defender:
Education and Experience:Juris Doctorate AND admittance to practice law in Nevada AND a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a Deputy Public Defender with the Carson City Public Defender’s Office; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
- Valid driver’s license
- Current membership in the Nevada State Bar is required.
- Qualification under Nevada Supreme Court Rule 250 to act as lead counsel in a capital case is preferred.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:
- Judicial procedure and rules of evidence; applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
- Computer applications related to the performance of legal research and writing.
- Techniques for dealing with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
- Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- The Penal Code and other Nevada statutes and their application to criminal and civil law.
- Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
- The principles of criminal, constitutional and administrative Law.
- Legal research methods and available programs for legal research.
- Principles of budget preparation and fiscal accounting.
- Performing a complex caseload of legal representation work in the Public Defender's Office with considerable independence.
- Analyzing facts and applying legal principles and precedents to specific criminal and civil cases.
- Performing legal research, developing legal issues, and presenting clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law.
- Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Maintaining effective working relationships with others.
- Effectively representing the Public Defender's Office in contacts with the public, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.
Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; exposure to traffic conditions and external environment when traveling from one office to another.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- This is an Unclassified position which means the employee in this position is “At Will” and as such, may be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason.
- Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
- City employees may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
- City employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
- New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation which cost the new employee $47.00 and a drug screen which costs $36.50. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
- Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.ucis.gov.
Salary : $82,965 - $116,426
