Assistant Public Defender

Cumberland County, PA; Carlisle (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 63,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Pension Plan

Paid Time Off

Educational Assistance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

Cumberland County, PA's Public Defender's Office is seeking an attorney to provide high-quality legal representation to indigent clients charged with criminal offenses. The role offers multiple pay grades based on experience and education, with comprehensive benefits and full-time employment.

The position requires a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to the Pennsylvania Bar. Responsibilities include court appearances, filing pleadings, and advising clients on

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar.

Responsibilities

• Meet and maintain professional licensing requirements.
• Abide by the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
• Represent clients facing incarceration in various criminal cases.
• Counsel clients on collateral consequences of criminal matters.
• Draft and file legal documents at trial and appellate levels.
• Stay current on legal opinions and research techniques.
• Attend staffing and training sessions as required.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Education

Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school

Licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar

Job description

Job Description

Department: Public Defender

Sub-Department: N/A

Pay Grade: 113, 116, 117, 118, or 120 (depending on relevant years of work experience and education)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full Time

Reports to: Deputy Public Defender

Supervises: N/A

Job Code: PD3017

Salary Ranges (depending on relevant years of work experience and education):

• Assistant Public Defender I: $62,790.00-$78,448.50
• Assistant Public Defender II: $74,763.00-$93,366.00
• Senior Assistant Public Defender I: $79,267.50-$99,001.50
• Senior Assistant Public Defender II: $84,006.00-$104,910.00
• Senior Assistant Public Defender III: $94,399.50-$117,877.50

Job Summary

To provide legal representation to indigent individuals charged with a variety of criminal offenses.

Essential Job Functions

• Meet and maintain professional licensing requirements.
• Abide by the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
• Represent clients who are facing potential incarceration, including, but not limited to, adult criminal cases, juvenile criminal cases, indirect criminal contempt, county and state probation and parole violations.
• Represent clients in criminal court matters and counsel clients on collateral consequences of said criminal matters.
• Draft and file legal documents, including memoranda and briefs, both at the trial court and state appellate court levels.
• Maintain knowledge of current legal opinions and research techniques.
• Attend staffing and training sessions as required.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Education

Minimum Requirements to Perform the Work:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar.

Work Experience (depending on relevant years of work experience and education)

• Assistant Public Defender I: Entry level attorney with no experience (i.e., just graduated from law school).
• Assistant Public Defender II: Attorney with 1-2 years of relevant experience; able to handle misdemeanor and minor felony cases without supervision.
• Senior Assistant Public Defender I: Attorney with 2-4 years of relevant experience; able to handle serious felony cases, without supervision
• Senior Assistant Public Defender II: Attorney with 5-6 years of relevant experience and actively working towards becoming death penalty qualified
• Senior Assistant Public Defender III: Attorney with 7+ years of relevant experience and must be actively working towards becoming death penalty qualified

Company Description

Mission Statement: To provide essential services that respond to community needs and promote well-being, while maintaining a financially sound foundation.

Benefits

Medical Benefits:

• Capital Blue Cross Medical Insurance
  • Health Savings Account
  • Wellness program with wellness incentives
• Capital Blue Cross Vision Insurance
• United Concordia Dental Insurance

Retirement Benefits

• County Retirement Pension
  • 5% minimum pre-tax contribution required, with the option of increasing your contribution over 5% up to 15% post-tax
  • Fully vested after 5 years of credited service
  • Normal Retirement Options:
  • Age 55 with 20 years of credited service
  • Age 60 with any amount of credited service
• Voluntary 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Military Time Buy Back Options

Paid Time Off

• Vacation
  • 10 days per year, accrued per pay period (Non-Exempt)
  • 15 days per year, accrued per pay period (Exempt)
  • Increase for both Non-Exempt and Exempt of 5 days per year after 2 years of service
• Personal
  • 3 Personal days per year, pro-rated based on starting date
• Sick
  • 5 Sick days per year, pro-rated based on starting date
• 12 Paid County Holidays
  • No waiting period to receive paid holidays

Additional Benefits

• Educational Assistance
  • 80% of cost of tuition and books up to the annual IRS limit per calendar year (after 6 months of Full-Time Employment)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – certain eligibility requirements must be met
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Resources for: Childcare, Eldercare, Legal, Financial, and Coaching
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance