Assistant Public Defender - Ross County

State of Ohio; Chillicothe (OH); Presencial; USD 76.000 - 109.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) seeks an Assistant Public Defender to provide competent criminal defense representation to indigent clients in Ross and Jackson counties. The role involves trial work on misdemeanor and felony charges, with duties including case preparation, hearings, and plea negotiations.

The successful candidate will join a close-knit team, work under supervision to learn the intricacies of the position, and strive for high-quality representation in a fast-paced

Formación

• Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
• Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court.
• Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar.

Responsabilidades

• 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.

Conocimientos

Analyzation

Building Trust

Consultation

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Descripción del empleo

Professional Skills Analyzation, Building Trust, Consultation, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquartered in the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division. The Assistant Public Defender will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County as a trial-level attorney that provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. The APD position 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

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 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

FY27 Wages

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6
• Step 7
• Step 8

Hourly

• $36.75
• $38.75
• $40.87
• $43.07
• $45.50
• $47.95
• $49.92
• $52.27

Annual

• $76,440
• $80,660
• $85,010
• $89,586
• $94,640
• $99,736
• $103,834
• $108,722

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].

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 4705.02.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Consultation; Building Trust; Verbal Communication; Written Communication; Analyzation

Organization Public Defender Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information Joshua Barton, [e-mail]

Unposting Date Oct 16, 2026, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location United States of America-OHIO-Ross County-Chillicothe

Compensation $76,440 - $108,722

Schedule Full-time

Classified Indicator Unclassified

Union Exempt from Union

Technical Skills Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy

Professional Skills Analyzation, Building Trust, Consultation, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.

Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.

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

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

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