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

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21007717 Date: May 18, 2026 Requisition No: 876144 Agency: Justice Administrative Commission Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21007717 The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on ourE-Verify Website .

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 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. Required Qualifications A Florida Bar license is required to be placed in the Assistant Public Defender role. In addition to current Florida Bar members, the agency will interview applicants who are awaiting admission to the Florida Bar, as well as applicants who are registered (or who plan to register) to take Florida Bar examination. These candidates may join the agency, ahead of Bar results, with the goal of becoming a member of the Florida Bar and transitioning to the Assistant Public Defender role thereafter. EDUCATION and/or 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 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.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

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 Ability to commute/relocate Fort Myers, FL 33901 Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Labelle, FL 33935 Naples, FL 34112 Location

FT MYERS, FL, US, 33901

Nearest Major Market Fort Myers Nearest Secondary Market Cape Coral The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 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. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at View phone number on click.appcast.io on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re‑employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. #J-18808-Ljbffr State-of-Florida