Public Defender

spokanecounty; Hudson (WI); On-site; USD 209,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

The Spokane County Public Defender's Office seeks a qualified leader to direct staff, policy and operations in a complex, high-responsibility role. This appointed position ensures compliance with statutes, county policies and professional standards while supervising staff attorneys and managing diverse caseloads.

The incumbent oversees trial-level representation of indigent defendants, coordinates with courts, law enforcement and social services, and maintains a computerized case-management

Qualifications

• Directs staff, policy and operations of the Public Defender's Office.
• Supervises attorneys and ensures compliance with professional standards and county policies.
• Manages budgets, financial reporting and grant funding for indigent defense.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct trial level representation of indigent defendants when appointed.
• Leads personnel, financial and resource planning and departmental strategy.
• Maintains case-management systems and coordinates with courts and social service agencies.

Job description

Employee Type: Regular

Department: Public Defender

Salary: $232,399.45 annually

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Overtime Eligibile: No

Job Posting Date Range: 08/26/2026 - Until Filled

Job Summary

This appointed position performs highly responsible and complex administrative, supervisory and participatory legal work in directing the staff, policy and operations of the Spokane County Public Defender's Office, as provided by chapter 36.26 RCW. Incumbent performs direct trial level representation of indigent defendants in a diverse range of criminal and civil cases. The single position allocated to this classification provides leadership and oversight in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating departmental staff and operations. Ensures compliance with business, financial, statutory and legal requirements in achieving the mission, objectives and goals of the office. Exercises direct supervision over staff attorneys, ensuring work conforms with prevailing professional standards, applicable statutes and county policies. Appears as counsel of record for selected clients in trial and other hearings. Work involves considerable contact with judicial, legal and social service agencies. In accordance with chapter 36.26 RCW, the public defender is appointed by a selection committee consisting of three individuals (one member of the Board of County Commissioners, one member of the Spokane County Superior Court, and one practicing attorney from Spokane County). The appointment is for a four-year term, coinciding with the term of the elected prosecuting attorney.

Job Description

The following documents are required to be submitted with your application. Applications that do not include all required documents may not be considered:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs duties related to the direction and administration of the department, including effective personnel, financial and resource planning and management; develops, implements and continuously evaluates related short and long-term goals and operational plans; develops and implements programs, policies and procedures consistent with statutory and legal requirements in providing quality public defense and legal services. Manages the department's professional and administrative staff, including selection, training and development, assignment of work, supervision, evaluation, discipline and termination in accordance with county policy and collective bargaining agreements. Establishes, develops, implements and monitors office policies, work rules, standards and guidelines. Participates in labor negotiations, applying contractual terms accordingly. Develops, prepares, justifies and advocates a multi-million-dollar annual budget, adequate to meet current standards for indigent defense; monitors expenditures; provides required financial reports to grantors and other funding sources. Ensures operations and expenditures are within budgetary constraints. Advises professional staff on complex issues, defense strategies and procedures; monitors and evaluates work, ensuring performance is consistent with prevailing professional standards, applicable statues and county policies. Assigns, tracks and reviews caseloads. Oversees the arrangement of training and practice updates for attorneys, as required or needed. Responds to or oversees the resolution of sensitive or complex inquiries, problems or complaints regarding availability or quality of services. Responds to public records requests. Identifies cases which present an ethical conflict of interest for the Public Defender's Office, and administers contracts with alternative outside counsel. Researches and develops access to competent forensic and psychological expertise for use in investigation and trial. Provides leadership to the public defense system by advocating the defense perspective to judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, government leaders and social service agencies in meetings and committees that set policy and procedures. Maintains and updates as needed a computerized case-management system to track caseloads and individual assignments. Represents the Public Defender's Office on relevant local and state committees, professional organizations and to community groups or agencies; advocates on behalf of the department and its clients. Maintains a positive working relationship with all county departments, and other elements of the criminal justice system. Fosters a relationship with the local law school, and maintains a program to utilize clerks and interns to assist the work of staff attorneys. Prepares and submits related reports and documents as required. Oversees the maintenance of an on-site archive of closed files, including electronically scanned records, and protocols for access thereto. Develops access to language interpreters, and to assistance for hearing, sight or intellectually impaire