What are the responsibilities and job description for the Indigent Defense Coordinator position at County of Calhoun, MI?

Salary : $92,780.70 - $118,530.53 Annually

Location : Battle Creek, MI

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2025-00002

Department : Public Defender

Opening Date : 01 / 13 / 2025

Bargaining Unit : NON-UNION

Job Summary

The Indigent Defense Coordinator oversees all aspects of the Public Defender Office contract attorney program. In addition, the position is responsible for all in-office staff attorney case assignments, data collection, and compliance with Michigan Indigent Defense Commission standards and requirements. This role ensures that cases are distributed equitably among attorneys based on workload, expertise, and case complexity.

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

Directs and oversees the Public Defender contract attorney program. Responsibilities include attorney selection and recruitment, assignments, reviewing and approving invoices.
Updates and executes the annual contract with attorneys, coordinates performance reviews, data collection, and compliance with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commissions standards.
Manage the daily assignment of cases to salaried and contract attorneys, ensuring equitable distribution based on caseload, conflicts, client history, court records, experience, and specialization.
Maintains accurate records for compliance reporting as well as internal reporting and balancing of attorney caseloads.
Work closely with attorneys to understand case demands, providing support in managing workload and assisting with reassignments, when necessary.
Monitors legal developments, including case law, rules of evidence, court rules, and relevant legislation which may impact the work of the department.
Utilize case management software to track and analyze case assignment trends, performance, and office-wide capacity.
This position works closely with the Operations Manager on administrative matters and senior attorney staff on substantive legal matters.
Regularly participates in trainings and conferences.
Establishes and maintains close working relationships with staff members of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, while maintaining in depth knowledge of all state level policies, rules, and requirements.
Where appropriate, will serve with the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defender, Operations Manager, and District Court Managing Attorney as a member of the department's management team.
Develops and implements methods to continuously improve office processes. Collaborates with other members of the management team for evaluation and change as necessary.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school is required, along with membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan with authority to practice law in the State of Michigan.

Minimum of three years of progressively more responsible legal experience in the practice of criminal Prior experience with personnel management and administration preferred.

Strong interpersonal skills to engage successfully with attorneys and other staff, Judges, court administrators, and outside agencies and departments.

Leadership and supervisory skills

Ability to work effectively in a fast paced and frequently unpredictable environment.

Computer skills necessary to effectively utilize case management software, online legal research, word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications for the creation and compilation of various documents, communications, and reports.

Excellent strategic, problem solving, and decision-making skills.

Possess a strong commitment to continuing education, training, and professional development along with a willingness to embrace change and new challenges.

Ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects requiring concentration and attention to detail with frequent disruptions due to people and / or phone calls. Frequent pressures related to deadlines, fulfilling scheduling requirements, and responding to concerns of clients, citizens, employees, and administration officials.

Ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality and integrity.

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

This position provides direct supervision including hiring, discipline, training / development, and termination of the following positions :

One legal assistant or paralegal, student interns

One private attorney who handles conflict case assignment, billing, expert and investigator requests.

Working Conditions

Hybrid Work Classification : Hybrid Eligible

Flexible Classification : Flexible Schedule Eligible

Normal office environment with occasional discomfort due to heat, dust, and noise

Extended workdays (beyond eight hours / day and weekends) are occasionally required.

Availability to handle work problems, attend meetings, handle emergencies / crisis situations is occasionally required.

Occasional travel between county locations is required. Occasional travel is also required to provide County representation in the local community and / or attendance at conferences / seminars.

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

Flexible Scheduling & Telecommuting Options Depending on Position & Department

Paid Time Off :

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)

Salary : $92,781 - $118,531

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