PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21007717

Florida Department of Financial Services; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 74,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to the Florida Retirement System

Generous Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Tuition waiver

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Florida Department of Financial Services is hiring an Assistant Public Defender in Fort Myers, FL. The position offers a salary starting at $74,000, increasing to $77,000 depending on experience. Responsibilities include managing caseloads, advising clients on legal rights, and working with court personnel.

Ideal candidates will hold a Juris Doctorate and exhibit strong communication, organization, and legal analysis skills. Benefits include access to the Florida Retirement System and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret legal documents and business correspondence.
• Ability to write reports and transcripts effectively.
• Experience in managing multiple assignments.

Responsibilities

• Accept and prepare cases effectively.
• Advise clients on plea offers and rights.
• Maintain professional relationships with clients and personnel.

Skills

Effective communication

Organization skills

Judgment and decision-making

Confidentiality handling

Legal analysis skills

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Personal computers

Job description

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT – ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

Date: May 18, 2026

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accepting, researching, and preparing each case efficiently and expeditiously.
• Advising and counseling each client regarding plea offers, client’s rights and options, strategies, sentencing, appellate rights, etc.
• Establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with each client, family, witness, and court personnel.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with clients and their families, witnesses, and court personnel.
• Involving investigators, interns and other support staff appropriately.
• Seeking assistance from experts appropriate to the case.
• Demonstrating maturity and a professional demeanor at all times.
• Exercising sound judgment to achieve desired results.
• Handling emergency assignments when needed.
• Attending and participating in training seminars, division meetings, and staffing sessions.
• Abiding by all Public Defender policies and procedures outlined in the manual and performing other related work as required.

ABILITY TO

• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and staff.
• Use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Exhibit sound judgment and good listening skills.
• Handle matters with integrity and confidentiality.
• Plan and prepare reports, correspondence, and charts in a variety of formats.
• Use personal computers and general office equipment.
• Be extremely organized, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain an effective filing system.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously including long- and short-range projects.
• Be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need.
• Travel to various locations throughout the circuit for assignments and training.
• Effectively utilize Microsoft Word and Outlook.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctorate

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and transcripts.

REASONING ABILITY

Must be able to apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level for this position is moderate.

EQUIPMENT UTILIZED

Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, cell phones

JOB TYPE

Full-time

SALARY

Starting at $74,000 - $77,000 depending on experience

BENEFITS

• Access to the Florida Retirement System
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition waiver
• Employee Assistance Program

EMPLOYMENT LOCATION

Fort Myers, FL 33901; Punta Gorda, FL 33950; Labelle, FL 33935; Naples, FL 34112

LEGAL AND EEO STATEMENTS

The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F.S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer. The State of Florida supports a Drug‑Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug‑Free Workplace Act. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at‑will employees. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority in advance.

CONTACT

Human Resources Department: [e-mail]