Assistant Public Defender II

Salary : $100,006.00 - $113,739.00 Annually

Location : County Administration Building 300 Monroe Avenue NW Grand Rapids

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 2501 284 0000

Department : Office of Public Defender

Opening Date : 01 / 18 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 24 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Job Responsibilities

Join Kent County's Office of the Public Defender and make a meaningful impact by providing comprehensive legal representation to individuals in need. Work in a collaborative environment with experienced professionals, contributing to holistic defense services and innovative legal practices. Be a part of a dedicated team committed to upholding justice and serving indigent communities.

The Assistant Public Defender II is a professional legal role providing representation to individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Responsibilities include evaluating evidence, interviewing necessary parties, researching and writing any necessary court filings, and presenting case materials in court. More than 50% of the cases are low severity felonies but may include medium to high severity felonies as well as misdemeanors.

Work is performed under general supervision in this team-oriented office.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan and eligible to practice before Michigan and Federal Courts, and / or the capability of becoming licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan within six months of hire. Must possess a valid Michigan Driver's License.

Required Education and Experience :

Possession of an undergraduate degree plus a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law degree from an ABA accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience combined with two (2) years' experience practicing criminal defense including serving as lead or co-counsel in no fewer than four (4) criminal jury trials or has a significant record of consistently high-quality criminal trial court representation and the ability and desire to handle low and high severity felony cases

Kent County offers job security, competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth.

Additional Information

• Notices will come via email so please be sure to monitor the email address indicated on your application

Would you like to know what Kent County does? Watch a day in the life of Max video below :

Kent County Human Resources

Benefit Summary

Management Pay Plan (MPP), Exempt

Effective January 1, 2024

Medical and Prescription Plans / Health Care Premium

Health Care Providers - BCBS Wellness PPO, Blue Care Network HMO or

BCMS Wellness High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA)

Prescription Provider -Capital Rx

PPO or HMO : 20% of total healthcare premium per month - pretax

HDHP w / HSA : 15% of total healthcare premium per month - pretax

HSA - One time new enrollment County contribution of $1,000 single or $2,000 family,

max HSA contribution $4,150 single / $8,300 family

Eligible for non-smoking and wellness exam incentives

Medical benefits will become effective first day of the month after hire.

BENEFIT ELECTION FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO

HUMAN RESOURCES WITHIN 4 DAYS OF HIRE.

Dental Plan - Varipro

Class I - 100% of incurred charges (2 cleanings and 1 x-ray per person, per year)

All other Services - 50% of reasonable costs (including Orthodontics)

Up to $2,500 annually per family

Vision Plan - VSP

No charge for WellVision Exam; $20 materials co-pay or up to $60 co-pay for contact fitting with participating doctors

Life Insurance

50,000 County paid Term Life Insurance

Supplemental Life Insurance / Dependent Life Insurance

Self-pay in increments of $5,000; Minimum-$15,000 / Maximum-$450,000

Spouse term life = $25,000, Child term life = $10,000

Flexible Spending - Varipro

Pre-tax contributions for Health and Dependent Care - only for HMO & PPO plans

Vacation Leave

6 hours 40 minutes each month - after initial month of hire (0-3 years)

See MPP Benefit Book for subsequent accrual

Paid Time Off

Pro-rated amount of 80 hours based on number remaining months in the year at time of hire.

80 hours on the payroll at start of the year.

May accumulate up to 120 hours

Unused paid time off in excess of 120 hours will be added to the employee's retirement bonus bank.

Paid Parental Leave

80 hours of paid time off for birth of a child or temporary placement of the child for adoption. Eligible the 1st of the month following date of hire, runs concurrently with FMLA

Sickness & Accident Plan

1st day of accident or 8th day of illness

67% of gross wages; 26 week benefit

Eligible 1st of the month following date of hire

Eligible for one-time S&A Supplement Bank of 48 hours.

Long Term Disability

60% of monthly covered earnings to a maximum of $5,000 per month; 180 day waiting period

Holidays

11 Scheduled Holidays

Probation Period

None - At Will Employee / Management Relationship

Tuition Reimbursement

365 per credit hour; maximum of 9 credit hours per year (see policy for eligibility)

Mileage

Published IRS Rate

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment first of each month with a minimum investment of $25 per pay period

Retirement / Defined Pension

Mandatory participation in a Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Employee contribution is 9.21% of pre-tax earnings

Supplement to Medical Benefits Premium

Based on years of service, employees may be eligible for a medical benefits premium supplement.

Kent County reserves the right to modify Management Pay Plan benefits.

Are you currently a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan?

Do you have experience as lead or co-counsel in a minimum of four criminal jury trials or have a significant record of consistently high-quality criminal trial court representation and the ability and desire to handle low and high severity felony cases?

Required Question

Salary : $100,006 - $113,739