Director of Indigent Defense

DESCRIPTION

Primary Objectives

Performs complex work developing, planning, and administering the County’s indigent defense program, including establishing, maintaining, and ensuring compliance with attorney contracts, assigning cases to contracted attorneys, monitoring case reporting requirements, and working in coordination with the Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services; performing related work as apparent or assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Fulfills the County’s obligation to provide high-quality, independent counsel to indigent parties through independent contract attorneys and assigned support staff.
• Enters into contracts with attorneys in accordance with established policies and procedures; assigns cases to contract attorneys in a reasonable and consistent manner; ensures compliance with contracts; evaluates performance through engagement, monitoring, and direct observation.
• Ensures the provision of representational services for eligible persons accused of crimes at pretrial release hearings or pretrial hearings regarding bail or conditions of release until an attorney can be appointed.
• Monitors, interprets, and reports on changes in laws, regulations, and legal proceedings related to criminal actions and indigent defense services; makes changes to policy, procedure, and plan as appropriate.
• Represents Douglas County in proactive engagement with other agencies, including legislative bodies; provides input to regulations based on the best interests of the program as it serves this community.
• Regularly evaluates and makes appropriate revisions to the program in order to ensure effective, efficient, and compliant services.
• Prepares plans, agenda action sheets, reports, and related correspondence for the Board of County Commissioners and Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services.
• May be required to perform the work of contract attorneys.
• Prepares and administers the department budget, secures funding, facilitates maximum utilization of state funding, prepares reports regarding utilization, and allocates resources accordingly.
• Manages and directs the activities of assigned staff; coordinates, prioritizes, and assigns tasks and projects; reviews work progress and activities; directs the recruitment and selection of staff; undertakes disciplinary action as required; conducts performance evaluations; ensures appropriate scheduling of staff to ensure proper operational coverage.
• Handles privileged or confidential information according to applicable law and ethical rules for the benefit of indigent persons accused of crimes.
• Drives a County motor vehicle to assigned work sites.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
• Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Position requires a Juris Doctorate degree and 6 years of experience in litigation, two of which were in a supervisory role; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Valid Driver’s license required
• Certificate of admission to the State Bar of Nevada and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the state of Nevada.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires using hands and repetitive motions; frequently requires speaking or hearing; occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, kneeling or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling.
• Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
• Douglas County 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 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.
• This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Overview of Douglas County Benefits
Disclaimer: Douglas County provides benefits to full time employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time positions (depending on job). Some part time positions may provide no benefits.

No Nevada State income tax.

Retirement – Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada
Douglas County contributes 33.50% of an eligible Regular Member and 50% of an eligible Police and Fire Member's salary for retirement. Deferred Compensation Plans – Employees can participate in the VOYA Retirement Plans, which is funded by the employee.

Paid Leave
12 paid holidays per year. Generous paid leave accrual's including 96 hours sick annually, begin accruing 120 hours annual leave each year. Administrative leave of 5 days or 3 days annually applies to some positions. Please refer to our leave policies https://www.douglascountynv.gov/687/Policies-Procedures or relevant labor agreement https://www.douglascountynv.gov/688/Labor-Contracts
for more information.

Health Insurance
The County has rich benefits plans to choose from: Preferred Provider (PPO) and Health Savings Account (HSA) with supplemental benefits to include: prescription plan, dental plan, vision, life insurance opportunities, cancer insurance, and disability insurance. Benefit eligibility is the 1st of the month following 30-day waiting period or 60 days, depending on the position. For more detail information on the Health Insurance you may refer to our website located at: https://www.douglascountynv.gov/693/Employee-Benefits-Information

Compensation
Douglas County's compensation system is based on Pay for Performance wherein employees are eligible for annual performance evaluations. The current structure consists of merit increases up to 3% on a qualifying employee's anniversary and Cost of Living Adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index during the first pay period of each fiscal year. The COLA will be up to 5% depending on the CPI each year. Additionally, eligible employees can be recognized for outstanding performance, above and beyond the call of duty, and receive additional compensation through the Recognition of Excellence Program.

2024