Public Defender 2 - Waterloo Juvenile (Winneshiek County)

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/life/vision insurance

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, and

Sick leave accrual

Professional development

Flexible Spending Accounts

IPERS Retirement Package

Retirement Investors Club

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discount programs

Job summary

The State of Iowa is seeking a Public Defender 2 based in the Waterloo Juvenile Office to represent indigent clients in Winneshiek County. Attorneys will advocate at all stages of criminal proceedings, conduct research, interview clients and witnesses, and prepare defenses and motions.

The role emphasizes mentorship, training, and collaboration with veteran public defenders to advance case outcomes while maintaining client communication and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Current license to practice law in Iowa.
• Experience equivalent to two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Eighteen months of experience as Public Defender 1 (for current state executive branch employees).

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings.
• Represent clients in court at pretrial hearings, trials, and sentencing.
• Conduct legal research, interview clients and witnesses, and prepare defense briefs.
• Prepare legal documents including arraignments, motions, and briefs.
• Coordinate with investigators and other staff to develop case strategy.
• Maintain client communication and case status updates.

Skills

Legal research

Trial advocacy

Client communication

Negotiation

Education

Law degree or JD

License to practice law in Iowa

Job description

Job Description

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. This position is based out of our Waterloo Juvenile Office and will provide representation to indigent clients in Winneshiek County.

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 and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

What You’ll Do

As a Public Defender attorney in this position, you will:

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every state of the criminal justice system.
• Receive training and mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders in an atmosphere which encourages growth and development of an attorney’s skills and career.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trial sentencings and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing the client and witnesses to determine the merits of case and appropriate course of action.
• Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdraw pleas, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other disposition of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
• 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 client’s case, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
• Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
• May direct work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
• Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.

This is a non-merit position for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

What We Offer

When you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:

• 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)

Benefits

For additional information on benefits click here .

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 .

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

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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.