Assistant Public Defender

HUNTINGDON COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION: Assistant Public Defender HOURS: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (1 hour unpaid lunch) Extra hours as needed LOCATION: Huntingdon County Courthouse, 223 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 SALARY RANGE: $65,000-$85,0000 BENEFITS: Health, Vision & Dental (Optional) All Other Benefits - Excellent Time-Off Benefits Opportunities to earn yearly CLE credits OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB: To provide competent legal representation to a wide variety of criminal cases, mental health, criminal contempt and legal services where required under the Public Defender Act. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: 1. Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses. 2. Conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials. 3. Counsels clients; prepares witnesses for trial. 4. Prepares and files motions, briefs and other legal documents. 5. Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained. 6. Represents client at pre-trial hearings/conferences, other proceedings, arraignments, jury and non-jury trials, sentencing and post-conviction hearings. 7. Prepares post-trial motions, briefs and arguments for appeals to Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts. 8. Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials. 9. Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients. 10. Composes or dictates letters and other legal correspondence and reports as needed for trial. 11. Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public. 12. Travels as necessary for trial preparations and to counsel with clients as necessary. OTHER DUTIES OF JOB: 1 Attends staffing and training sessions. 2. Maintains current knowledge of current legal opinions and research techniques. Attend required CLE and attend other trainings when required by the Public Defender 3. Performs other job-related duties as required. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Receives instruction/supervision from Chief Public Defender in regard to daily work duties. SUPERVISION GIVEN: None. WORKING CONDITIONS: 1. Works indoors with adequate office space, lighting, ventilation and temperatures. 2. Normal exposure to noise, disruptions and stress. 3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt. 4. Works in conditions of potential outbursts or aggressive behavior of clients. 5. Travels occasionally to obtain legal information for cases. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITIONS: 1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions. 2. Must be able to sit, stand for long periods, with intermittent walking, driving and occasionally climbing stairs, twisting, stooping, grasping or reaching to carry out job duties. 3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hand; feet/legs; torso necessary to carry out job duties. 4. Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying objects with maximum weight of ten pounds. 5. Must demonstrate emotional stability. 6. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position. 7. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work. 8. Must be able to work with clients who carry or may carry active hepatitis, HIV or other infectious diseases. QUALIFICATIONS: A. EDUCATION/TRAINING: Juris Doctorate degree licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar, or otherwise eligible to practice before the Courts of Pennsylvania B. WORK EXPERIENCE: None required, but public defender internship or similar experience preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential job duties. 2. Must possess effective com unication and interpersonal skills. 3. Must possess initiative, creativity and problem-solving skills. 4. Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers and others. 5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and records. 6. Must possess some knowledge of operating personal computers. 7. Must possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and a willingness to travel as needed to complete job duties. 8. Must possess knowledge and ability to effectively and adequately represent a variety of clients in various criminal and civil cases. 9. Must possess ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents and procedures. 10. Must possess ability to set forth finding of facts and conclusions in written, legal form. 11. Must possess ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at logical interpretation. 12. Must possess ability to effectively coordinate individual cases and interact with other staff members.