Public Defender Director: Leadership, Policy & Strategy

Discover Gila County, Inc.; Globe (AZ); On-site; USD 122,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Discover Gila County, Inc. is seeking a Public Defender to lead the Office of the Public Defender in Globe or Payson, AZ. The role supervises attorneys, staff, and contractors, and ensures effective defense services in criminal and related proceedings.

You will direct policy development, budget, recruitment, and training, while upholding constitutional requirements and professional standards. The position requires a JD, Arizona Bar license, and at least ten years of licensed experience,

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• Active Arizona State Bar license.
• At least 10 years of licensed legal experience, with supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Regularly assigns work to attorneys, professional staff, support staff, contractors, and other employees and supervises related activities.
• Makes or provides recommendations regarding hiring, scheduling, promotions, compensation, and other personnel actions consistent with County policy.
• Makes final decisions within delegated authority regarding employee performance, training, coaching, discipline, grievances, work assignments, caseload allocation, professional standards, and supervision of attorneys, staff, supervisors, and contractors.
• Directs the Public Defenders Office, including development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, professional standards, caseload practices, staffing plans, and programs necessary to provide effective public defense services.
• Provides and oversees legal representation in criminal, juvenile, Title 36, appellate, and other proceedings assigned or authorized by law; evaluates complex cases, legal strategies, evidence, constitutional issues, negotiations, motions, trials, sentencing, and other proceedings
• Ensures attorneys and staff provide client-centered representation consistent with federal and state constitutional requirements, Arizona statutes, court rules, Rules of Professional Conduct, applicable caseload standards, and recognized public-defense practices.
• Develops and administers the departmental budget and determines staffing, contractual, investigative, expert-witness, technology, equipment, facility, and operational resource needs; presents and advocates for resources necessary to fulfill statutory and constitutional responsibilities.
• Directs recruitment, supervision, training, professional development, performance management, and retention of attorneys and staff and ensures personnel receive continuing education necessary to maintain professional competence and effective client representation.

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Arizona Bar License

Job description

Discover Gila County, Inc. is seeking a Public Defender to lead the Office of the Public Defender in Globe or Payson, AZ. The role supervises attorneys, staff, and contractors, and ensures effective defense services in criminal and related proceedings.

You will direct policy development, budget, recruitment, and training, while upholding constitutional requirements and professional standards. The position requires a JD, Arizona Bar license, and at least ten years of licensed experience,