Public Defender 2 - Sioux City Juvenile - PTPF

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

IPERS retirement

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The State Public Defender’s Office in Iowa seeks a motivated attorney to serve as Public Defender 2 for the Project to Preserve Families in Woodbury County. This role supports indigent clients to prevent court involvement and ensure access to legal services.

You will handle child custody, guardianship, protective orders, landlord/tenant matters, and other criminal-related issues, preparing motions and briefs while maintaining client files and case communications.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in Iowa.
• Two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Eighteen months of full-time experience as Public Defender 1 in the state executive branch.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in child custody, guardianship, conservatorships, and protective orders.
• Handle landlord/tenant issues and basic criminal matters.
• Draft motions, briefs, and legal documents; prepare case strategy and trial prep.
• Maintain client files, submit time reports, and communicate case status to clients.
• Receive training and mentoring from experienced public defenders.

Skills

Legal trial advocacy

Criminal law

Client communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from accredited law school

Job description

Job Description

This is not the usual job at the State Public Defender’s Office. Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as a Public Defender 2 for the Project to Preserve Families in Woodbury County, Iowa. The Project to Preserve Families utilizes a team of professionals to provide Iowans access to legal and family centered services to prevent Court involvement and subsequent removals by providing indigent clients access to legal services.

Who We Are

The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

What You’ll Do

• Child Custody
• Guardianship and Conservatorships
• Chapter 236 Protective Orders
• Landlord/tenant issues
• Basic Criminal Matters including clearing up warrants
• Driver’s Licensing
• Other issues as approved by the State Public Defender
• Work closely with clients providing and discussing information, plan case strategy and trial preparation.
• Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answering client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues to advance the client's case, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
• Prepare various legal documents, motions, briefs, and letters.
• Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.
• Receive training and mentoring from dedication, experienced public defenders in an atmosphere which encourages growth and development of an attorney’s skills and career.

What We Offer

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.

Embark on a rewarding career dedicated to public service and make a difference with us!