Assistant Public Defender: Attorney
Sarpy County
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER: ATTORNEY
SALARY
$75,537.00 - $105,783.00 Annually
LOCATION
Papillion, NE
JOB TYPE
Full-Time
JOB NUMBER
01081
DEPARTMENT
Public Defender's Office
OPENING DATE
11/08/2023
CLOSING DATE
11/16/2023 11:59 PM Central
JOB OVERVIEW
As an employee of Sarpy County, you receive regular pay for the services you provide at a rate of $75,537 per year. In addition to your hourly wage, Sarpy County provides benefits, such as insurance and retirement, which are valued at up to $28,548.72 per year.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
A. Click HERE for Labor Law Posters~
B. Please be advised that if you advance in the application process, Sarpy County's Employment Policy requires that you submit to multiple background checks, including but not limited to a criminal history records check. Having a criminal history will not necessarily bar you from employment with Sarpy County as individual circumstances will be considered.
C. Sarpy County is a Drug-Free Workplace / Equal Opportunity Employer
D. Sarpy County participates in E-Verify.
E. Positions are subject to Veterans' Preference (not applicable to internal promotions and transfers)
F. The employment application is required and is the only source of information used to determine if you meet the minimum requirements of the job. The application form must be completed in its entirety. Your application form will be rejected if it is not complete. You have the option to attach a resume, although it will not be considered as part of your application.
G. NOTE: meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee further consideration for the position for which you applied.
H. Please be complete. You will not be allowed to change your application after you have applied for a position.
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GENERAL PURPOSE
Under the direct supervision of the Public Defender, or designee, and provide legal services to assigned indigent juveniles who have been charged with status offenses, infractions, misdemeanor and felony offenses.
Specifically this position is within the Juvenile Court division of the Public Defender Office and intended to be a long term position within that division.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide effective representation of juveniles charged with any crime in Sarpy County.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, probation officers, private attorneys, health and human service case workers, other juvenile justice stakeholders, prosecutors, supervisors, law enforcement, other agencies, Judges, juveniles, other County employees, as well as the general public.
Prepare for detention hearings by meeting juveniles in person or by other electronic means, talking to parents, juvenile probation, the County Attorney, and any other third parties, reviewing the applicable detention paperwork, statutes, and relevant case law so as to formulate a position with supporting arguments to enable the juvenile to remain in the community if possible.
Review and analyze facts and other pertinent information including but not limited to police reports, lab results, body camera video, Project Harmony tapes concerning juvenile’s cases, and confer with the lead juvenile deputy public defender and/or discuss case in weekly staff lunches to determine and define legal issues.
Establish relationship and close contact with juveniles through visits to detention facilities, shelters, group homes, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, the youth treatment and rehabilitation centers in or outside of Sarpy County, and/or the Public Defender’s Office, by phone contact, written correspondence, email, etc.
Brief juveniles, and their family members, regarding case updates as determined.
Negotiate settlements with the County Attorney’s Office on behalf of assigned juveniles.
Attend and participate in arraignments, pretrial hearings, evidentiary hearings, trials, sentencing, and other court proceedings, as assigned.
Prepare motions, briefs, writs, subpoenas, appeals, and other legal documents in preparation of court hearings.
Review assigned case notes, interview witnesses and others involved in the case, determine trial strategy, prepare juveniles for trial, and represent juveniles during trial.
Prepare post-trial matters such as motions to withdraw pleas, motions to reconsider sentence, and post-conviction petitions.
Note and record any errors by the County Attorney’s Office or the Presiding Judge during the trial which could infringe upon the juvenile’s rights in order that a proper motion for a new trial can be prepared and filed.
Remain current in relevant legal literature to include, but not limited to concepts of adolescent development, trauma as well as substance use and abuse treatment.
Report to work with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.
Peripheral Duties
Perform other duties as required or assigned which may include but is not limited to representing juveniles and other clients in bond hearings and problem solving courts, assisting with matters in all areas the Sarpy County Public Defender represents clients, including but not limited to both the misdemeanor and felony courtrooms, the Board of Mental Health, and/or Social Justice Courts.
Attending continuing legal education with particular emphasis in Juvenile Law.
Any other duties, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned by the Public Defender.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
Must be licensed to practice law in the state of Nebraska,or be eligible to waive into the Nebraska State Bar Association, or be able to sit for the next available bar examination.
Must have experience with Microsoft Office software, at an intermediate level.
Special Requirements
Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Driver’s License as well as meet eligibility requirements of “acceptable driver standards” as defined by the County.
Ability to speak Spanish is preferred.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of current criminal law, juvenile law, trial procedure, rules of evidence, and legal ethics as well as their application
Knowledge of Nebraska Code, constitutional provisions, local ordinances, and privacy laws
Skill in conducting legal research and analysis of data
Skill in composing clear, concise written documentation
Ability to learn and use specialized software programs
Ability to argue legal positions successfully and persuasively, master subject matter, and prepare cases thoroughly
Ability to solve practical problems using sound, independent judgment and reasoning
Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing
Ability to understand and follow exacting verbal or written directions
Ability to work independently, prioritize assignments, and organize caseloads
Ability to perform tasks with attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy
Ability to handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information including, but not limited to, attorney/client privileged information, juvenile’s private health information, department communication and/or documents, as well as other similar information
Ability to operate standard office equipment including, but not limited to, a computer, multiline phone, copier, scanner, fax, and calculator
Skill in creating notes in Defender Data. Or any subsequent case management system, documenting conversations with juveniles, the County Attorney, or any other third party, court hearings, developments in the case, notes for hearing preparations, summaries of professional reports including but not limited to individualized education programs, substance abuse evaluations, psychological reports, probation supervision summaries, pre-disposition investigation reports, competency evaluations, law enforcement reports as well as neuropsychological evaluations
Knowledge of collateral consequences in Juvenile Court, to include but not limited to the collateral consequences for a felony adjudication and an understanding of the Sex Offender Registration Act as it applies to juveniles in Nebraska as well as a working knowledge of the Central Registry.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work requires physical activity including frequent periods of sitting/remaining stationary and walking/moving about as well as occasional standing/remaining upright, bending, reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must occasionally lift, maneuver, and/or move up to 25 pounds. The incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate/manipulate equipment (use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects/tools).
Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and speech. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges include close, distance, and color vision as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear (e.g. exchange information) within normal ranges.
Work is typically performed indoors in an office environment, courtroom, or secure detention facility. Work hours may include evenings, weekends, and holidays and at all other reasonable times that provides for competent representation. Incumbents in this position may have interaction with individuals who are hostile, rude, offensive, abusive, violent, or have/carry infectious or communicable diseases. Noise levels are typically quite to moderate. Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, reference checks, licensure verification, successful completion of a national criminal background check, successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, and other job related tests may be required.
**PLEASE ATTACH A WRITING SAMPLE TO YOUR APPLICATION**
DISCLAIMER
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 doe not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Agency
Sarpy County
Address
1210 Golden Gate Drive
Papillion, Nebraska, 68046
Phone
402-593-4465
402-593-4487
Website
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER: ATTORNEY Supplemental Questionnaire
*QUESTION 1
Education: Have you graduated from an accredited institution with a Juris Doctorate degree?
Yes
No
QUESTION 2
Describe any experience you have related to the posted position.
*QUESTION 3
Are you able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without accommodation?
Yes
No
*QUESTION 4
Are you able to meet the physical demands and work environment requirements of this job with or without accommodation?
Yes
No
*QUESTION 5
The salary range for this position is $75,537 to $105,783 per year. Please indicate if this salary range is acceptable to you. Failure to agree to the starting wage will exclude your application from further consideration.
Yes
No
*QUESTION 6
Are you requesting Veterans Preference as stipulated in Nebraska Statutes § 48-225 to 48-231? Such preference includes initial employment or a return to employment with the State of Nebraska or its governmental subdivisions if termination of previous employment was for other than disciplinary reasons.
Yes
No
*QUESTION 7
Sarpy County complies with Nebraska Veterans' Preference Laws. If you are claiming Veterans' Preference you must attach Form DD214 (prefer member form 4) and if applicable, documents showing you receive or are eligible to receive benefits from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The spouse of a 100% disable veteran may claim preference by providing the Form DD214, Proof of Disability and a marriage certificate. The spouse of a service member may claim preference and is limited to the time the service member is on active duty and up to 180 days after discharge/separation from service. DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THESE STIPULATIONS?
Yes
No
N/A - does not apply
* Required Question