Public Defender 3 - Nevada

State of Iowa; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

The State of Iowa, Office of the State Public Defender, seeks a Public Defender 3 for its Nevada-based office in Story County. The role focuses on indigent defense and immigration consequences, with responsibilities across all phases of criminal cases and training of junior staff.

Ideal candidates have a JD, Iowa license, and approximately five years of full-time trial advocacy or prosecutorial experience, supporting the department's mission to provide high-quality representation.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Current license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
• Experience equal to five years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.

Responsibilities

• Assists a supervisor by performing professional legal work in indigent representation and immigration consequences.
• Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, affidavits, letters and briefs.
• Advocates complex cases at all stages of the criminal justice system, including pre-trial, plea, trial, verdict and sentencing.
• Negotiates plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions with prosecutors or other parties.
• Trains less-experienced Public Defenders and interns in trial advocacy and criminal procedures.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Legal research

Criminal law

Witness preparation

Interviews

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

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 3 in our Nevada office located in Story County, Iowa.

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

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

Assists a supervisor by performing professional legal work related to the representation of indigent clients and immigration consequences in cases where the local Public Defender has been appointed as counsel and provides training, guidance, and direction to staff assigned in local Public Defender offices; performs related work as required.

Responsibilities:

• Participates in the investigation and preparation of a defense for adult offenders and immigration consequences in cases to obtain facts in determining the merits of cases and appropriate courses of action.
• Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, interrogations, supporting affidavits, letters, opinions, and briefs.
• Advocates the most complex cases at every stage of the criminal justice system through resolution in the pre-trial process, plea bargaining process, trial, verdict, and sentencing by: providing legal counsel and advice; interviewing and selecting appropriate witnesses, preparing them to give testimony; and conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses.
• Negotiates plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys or other interested parties.
• Trains less-experienced Public Defenders and Public Defender Interns in the principles of trial advocacy and pleading, trial and criminal procedures, the concept of legal precedence, and the rules of evidence as they apply to legal advocacy.

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)
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).

This is a non-merit position with the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

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

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!

1. Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and experience equal to five years of full time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
2. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of fulltime work as a Public Defender 2.