Salary: $94,405.37 – $122,105.45 Annually
Location : Mount Clemens, MI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 23-00413
Department: Public Defenders Office
Opening Date: 09/13/2023
Closing Date: 9/26/2023 5:00 PM Eastern
CLASSIFICATION DETAILS
DEPARTMENT: Office of Public Defender
HIRING AUTHORITY: Public Defender
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period
CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 a.m.
GENERAL SUMMARY
Under direction, performs legal assignments involving highly complex and specialized cases. Represents indigent clients in misdemeanor and felony cases, including capital cases, First Chair responsibilities with second chair staff attorneys, supervises directs assigned staff, and assists with office operations. Performs legal research, writes briefs, and handles cases in court.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Attends and participates in arraignments, pre-trial conferences, pre-trial negotiations, court hearings, trials, and sentencings.
Assist with implementing The Office of Public Defender procedures related to arraignments, assignment of attorneys, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) reporting needs, and other procedures.
Develops and maintains positive professional relationships with involved Courts, Court Staff, and jail personnel.
Represents indigent clients in a variety of felony cases, including a required volume of capital cases, from beginning stages through trial and sentencing or dismissal.
Conducts capital, other felony, and misdemeanor trials. Determines case strategy, develops theory of defense, determines proper investigation, prepares and files legal appropriate pleadings/motions/briefs, prepares and files appropriate interlocutory appeals, prepares and files other legal documents. Collaborates with a trial team, while exercising considerable independent judgement.
Researches legal issues and advises office of new legal issues and procedures.
Assists with development and implementation of legal intern program.
Ensures compliance of office policies when engaging with media, unusual and/or complicated cases.
Completes and/or assists with Staff Attorney case reviews and performance reviews.
Supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff.
Maintains continuing legal education and training requirements for attorneys taking assigned criminal defense cases, and completes additional attorney training as directed.
Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university
- Five years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law
- Qualified as a class A, B, and C attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified
Preferred Education and Experience
- Experience working within a public defender or other attorney’s office where criminal defense cases are managed
- Experience working on projects designed to increase efficiency in the office (such as information technology, development of training), and experience with procedures for obtaining experts/investigators
- Experience with working collaboratively on criminal defense cases
- Supervisory experience
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Current membership in the State Bar of Michigan
- Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license operable automobile and insurance
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Criminal and civil law
- Criminal code
- Rules of procedure and rules of evidence
- Legal terminology and court procedures
- Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
- Familiarity with Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) Standards and systems of Indigent Criminal Defense.
Skill in:
- Organization
- Management techniques
- Interviewing techniques
- Identifying issues in criminal defense cases
- Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
- Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
- Directing the work of others
- Project Management
Ability to:
- Perform legal research
- Accurately argue both orally and in writing
- Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions
- Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
- Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
- Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
- Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
- Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
- Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
- Work independently
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS
The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously
Work Environment
N/S
O
F/C
Office or similar indoor environment
X
Outdoor environment
X
Street environment (near moving traffic)
X
Construction site
X
Confined space
X
Exposures
N/S
O
F/C
Individuals who are hostile or irate
X
Individuals with known violent backgrounds
X
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
X
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
X
Communicable diseases
X
Moving mechanical parts
X
Fumes or airborne particles
X
Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances or waste
X
Loud noises (85+ decibels)
X
Blood Borne Pathogens
X
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously
Demand
Frequency
Description
Physical
N/S
O
F/C
Balancing
X
On even or uneven surfaces/ground
Bending
X
Tasks involve forward or backward bending at the waist
Climbing/Working at Heights
X
Tasks involve climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms
Crawling
X
Inspecting in confined spaces. Moving about on hands and knees
Digging
X
Tasks involve manual digging
Driving
X
Tasks involve operating any motor powered vehicle on sealed and unsealed roads
Grasping
X
Tasks involve gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands
Kneeling
X
Tasks involve flexing/bending at the knees and ankles to work at low levels
Manual Dexterity
X
Tasks involve fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing
Lift/Carry
X
Tasks involve raising/lowering or moving objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below)
Up to 10 pounds
X
11-24 pounds
X
25-34 pounds
X
35-50 pounds
X
51-74 pounds
X
75-99 pounds
X
Over 100 pounds
X
Push / Pull
X
Tasks involve pushing/pulling objects away from or towards the body
Reaching
X
Tasks involve reaching overhead with arms raised above shoulder height or forward reaching with arms extended
Sitting
X
Tasks involve remaining in a seated position during the task performance
Standing
X
Tasks involve standing in an upright position without movement
Walking
X
Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces
Running
X
Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS
Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.
This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.
Health, Dental and Vision Plans.
As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage.
- Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment
Paid Time Off (PTO), Holidays and Sick Time
Macomb County understands the need to balance work life with home life. We have policies for paid time off (PTO), illness, and holidays.
Retirement System
Macomb County has a defined contribution 401(a) plan. The employee contribution is 3% of base wages and the County contribution is 6% of base wages per pay period. Employees are 100% vested after five (5) years of service.
Deferred Compensation
Macomb County employees are eligible to contribute up to fifty percent (50%) of gross salary or the annual maximum as established by the IRS (whichever is less) to a pre-tax savings plan. The County does not contribute to this savings plan.
Life Insurance
Macomb County offers life insurance provided by the employer for regular full-time employees. Additionally, the employer will provide a payroll deduction for employees wishing to purchase additional life insurance for their self, spouse, and eligible dependents.
Long Term Disability
Long-term disability coverage is effective the first day of the month following six (6) months of continuous employment. This benefit is intended for lengthy illnesses with a 180-day elimination period, paying 60% of an employee’s monthly income.
01
The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. “See resume” is not an acceptable answer to questions.
- Yes, I understand and agree
- No, I do not agree
02
Do you have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have a current membership in good standing in the State Bar of Michigan?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law?
- Yes
- No
05
If you indicated you have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law, please briefly describe your experience. If you do not possess this experience, please type “N/A.” Please note “See Resume” is not an acceptable response.
06
Are you qualified as a class A, B, and C attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified?
- Yes
- No
07
In the space provided please indicate which class of attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense you hold, or if eligible to be qualified. If you are currently qualified to take indigent defense assignments in a system other than Macomb County, for each indigent defense system that you take assignments state: 1) Name of the System; 2)Highest level severity of cases assigned (e.g. misdemeanor; felony 1 to 5 yrs; Felony over 5 years up to life; LIFE felony)
08
Do you have experience supervising or directing the activities of legal staff?
- Yes
- No
Required Question