Parental Defense Division Prepetition Advocacy Program

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) Parental DefenseDivision (PDD) is seeking an attorney to serve as an essential team member onthe Better Together Early Family Advocacy Program a grant-funded project inBaltimore City to assist families who come into contact with the FamilyPolicing System/Child Welfare System due to allegations of child abuse orneglect. The project expands the representation of families beyond the judicialsphere aiming to protect the rights of families to remain intact. This is agrant-funded contractual position.

MOPDs vision is for justice fairness and dignity for all and we arecommitted to our core values of maintaining a culture of excellence providingclient-centered representation tenacious advocacy and being united inachieving our mission. At MOPD we use our legal education and experience tofight for justice and fairness and we refuse to remain silent in the midst ofhuman suffering. Our unique talents identities educational backgrounds andperspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up againstprejudice systemic racism and inequity. MOPD seeks a candidate who will joinus in providing compassionate competent zealous and client-centeredrepresentation. Learn more about our mission and commitment to diversityequity and inclusion.

GRADE

ASTD21 & ASTD20

LOCATION OF POSITION

Baltimore City Maryland

Main Purpose of Job

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

The Better Together EarlyFamily Advocacy Program utilizes a multidisciplinary team to support parentswho are being investigated by the Department of Social Services (DSS) and areat risk of having their children separated from them and placed in foster Together aims to prevent family separation and ensure that children arenot unnecessarily placed in the foster system. The team consists of alawyer social worker and parent advocate who will provide distinct servicesrelevant to their area of expertise that respond to the issues identified forthe individual client. The lawyers advocacy will include advising parents oftheir rights and responsibilities in terms of responding to DSS and meetingtheir childrens needs assisting parents in making custodial arrangements fortheir children with family members taking actions to protect against domesticviolence resolving criminal warrants and assisting with removing legalimpediments to keeping custody of their children. The position will alsoinclude providing legal representation in administrative hearings and in someemergency Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) hearings if a petition is filed inCircuit Court.

By providing theseservices early in the investigation parents will be better equipped tosuccessfully resolve concerns arising during the investigation avoid having aCINA petition filed against them and prevent family separation. This positionwill be located in Baltimore City Maryland.

PRIMARY DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES

Protect clientsConstitutional rights to raise and rear their children by providing prepetitionlegal services to parents when they come into contact with DSS informingclients as to their rights and responsibilities and advocating for them asthey navigate their involvement with DSS before a court petition is filed.

Engage in prepetitionlegal advocacy and radical early defense strategies to avoid family separationand foster care.

O rganize and participatein community outreach to disseminate information about the Better TogetherProgram.

If a CINA petition isfiled appear at the initial shelter care hearing to assist or brief theassigned Assistant Public Defender (APD) in circumstances where appropriate orprepare a transfer memo to the assigned shelter attorney.

If a CINA petition isfiled prepare a transfer memorandum and case file to be given to the assignedAPD so APD can prepare for the shelter care hearing or non-emergency hearing.

Develop and maintainclient relationships over the extended pendency of the case.

Collaborate with PDDsocial workers criminal defense attorneys parent advocates immigrationattorneys and others as part of a multidisciplinary defense team.

Maintain records anddata to enable OPD to track the outcome of cases.

Engage with clientswho are experiencing challenges and legal/societal/intellectual barriers in anonjudgmental and empathetic manner.

Effectively andcompassionately communicate with clients colleagues and service providers toensure optimal outcomes for clients.

Continuously seekprofessional and personal development through training continuing legaleducation and trial skills courses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

CORE COMPETENCIES & REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated commitment to serving marginalized communities.

Committed to challenging the family policing system.

Ability to work independently and autonomously.

Compassion and empathy.

Strong interpersonalskills and the ability to communicate effectively with people with different backgrounds and experiences.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced diverse team-oriented environment.

Ability to usetechnology to telework and participate in virtual court hearings and meetings as necessary.

Strong organizational legal and administrative skills necessary tohandle a high caseload with short deadlines.

Prior experience in litigation including CINA/TPR Criminal CivilJuvenile or Family Law (experience may include internships law school clinicalprograms or any other relevant experience).

Strong communication and client advocacy skills.

Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar ofanother state. Individuals who are members of the Bar of anotherState must be admitted to the Maryland Bar within 18 months of the start date.

BENEFITS

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State ofMaryland employees.

Please visit the State of Maryland Employees page to review benefitinformation.

Assistant Public Defender I: starting at Grade 20 Step 06 $42.67 perhour.

Assistant Public Defender II: starting at Grade 21 Step 08 $47.39 perhour.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY

If you wish to be considered please click here to fill out theapplication and upload the following documentsin one PDF attachment on the Resume Tab in the JobAps Application: (1) acurrent resume (2) a cover letter and (3) a list of four professionalreferences (4) writing sample no longer than 15 ages and (5) anofficial/unofficial law school transcript (if graduated from within the past 3years).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

As a State agency the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) isan affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to thefull inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race colorreligion sex physical or mental disability age sexual orientation genderidentity national origin veteran status or genetic information.

All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors andpossess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work must be able to work in various positions and travel to variouscourtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is furthercommitted to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation forindividuals with disabilities in employment its services programs and activitiesby modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work

environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant oremployee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the positionthey desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; orto enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by othersimilarly situated employees without disabilities unless the accommodationimposes an undue hardship.

Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate publictransportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed please contact TawandaJackson Human Resources Supervisor

Applicants can expect a background check to occur after a conditionaloffer of employment is made. As we see lived experiences as an asset to thisrole we do not anticipate background checks playing a decisive role in theselection process. Accordingly we encourage all candidates to applyregardless of criminal credit or driving history.

Assistant Public Defenders are full-time employees who serve at thepleasure of the Public Defender. Criminal Procedure Art. Section 16-203(d).Assistant Public Defenders cannot engage in the private practice of law whilein this position.