Assistant Public Defender

State of Ohio; Chillicothe (OH); On-site; USD 51,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental/Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

The Public Defender Commission in Chillicothe, Ohio, seeks an Assistant Public Defender to provide criminal defense for indigent clients in Jackson and Ross counties. The role focuses on misdemeanor and felony cases, with a team-based, fast-paced work environment and a commitment to high-quality representation.

Starting pay is published as hourly steps from $36.75 to $52.27, with annual salaries listed for each step.

Qualifications

• Admission to Ohio bar required.
• Experience in criminal defense preferred.
• Ability to manage cases in trial courts.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases for trial.
• Try cases as lead or co-counsel.
• Represent clients in pre-trial conferences and plea negotiations.
• Examine witnesses and present legal arguments.

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Job description

Organization: Public Defender Commission

Work Location: Chillicothe, Ohio, United States

Compensation: $36.75 - $52.27

Schedule: Permanent - Full Time

Work Hours: 8am-4pm

Classified Indicator: Unclassified

Union: Exempt from union

Primary Job Skill: Attorney/Legal

Who We Are

The Office of the OhioPublic Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legalrepresentation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime whocannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.

Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.

Out Values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity.Service. Community.

We are committed to buildinga work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace ourdifferences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness andjustice for all people.

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What You'll Do

The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquarteredin the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division.The Assistant Public Defender will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County asa trial-level attorneythat provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. The APDposition will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.

The successful APD candidate will thrive in a close-knit team environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a fast-paced work environment. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and succeed in providing high-quality representation.

Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Prepare cases for trial
• Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
• Represent clients in community control violations
• Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
• Examine witnesses
• Present legal arguments and evidence

Additional Information

Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; Candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 180 days and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

Hourly Rates:

• Step 1: $36.75
• Step 2: $38.75
• Step 3: $40.87
• Step 4: $43.07
• Step 5: $45.50
• Step 6: $47.95
• Step 7: $49.92

Annual Salaries:

• Step 1: $76,440
• Step 2: $80,660
• Step 3: $85,010
• Step 4: $89,586
• Step 5: $94,640
• Step 6: $99,736
• Step 7: $103,834

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or [e-mail].

Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

Why Work for the State of Ohio:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications:

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.

Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.

Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.01.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Analyzation; Critical Thinking; Verbal Communication; Written Communication

ADA Statement:

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace:

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.