The newly created Far West Texas Regional Public Defender Office is seeking a Chief Public Defender, to manage, supervise and participate in the representation of those too poor to hire legal counsel in Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth and Presidio Counties facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. The position begins on October 1, 2017, in Alpine, Texas. Applicants must be willing to relocate to reside within the region.
Under the direction of the Public Defender Oversight Board, the Chief Public Defender is responsible for the over-all and day-to-day operation of the Office. The Chief will manage the Office and oversee two additional staff attorneys in defending indigent defendants facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. The Chief performs professional, management, supervisory and legal services, including leading and counseling staff attorneys and support staff, and acting as a lead counsel on the most difficult and challenging cases.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (Illustrative Only)
• Supervise, coordinate, advise and oversee the work of staff attorneys in felony and misdemeanor cases.
• Develop and implement legal and departmental policy and procedural guidelines, subject to general policy direction from the Public Defender Oversight Board.
• Allocate personnel and resources, and assign cases to staff attorneys.
• Manage all human resource issues and ensure compliance with all applicable rules, laws and regulations.
• Establish operational goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Authorize, review, and approve Office payroll.
• Prepare and submit full cost accountings, budgets, administrative reports and grant documentation.
• Plan and present mandated continuing legal education (MCLE) training programs in-house.
• Act as liaison with other criminal justice agencies or public organizations.
• Report to Public Defender Oversight Board.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
• Juris Doctor Degree, supplemented by no less than ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience involving criminal representation and trial services, and which includes some experience in leading, coordinating, and/or supervising professional staff.
• Current active membership in the State Bar of Texas, in good standing.
• Skilled trial attorney, with a minimum of ten criminal felony jury trials taken to verdict as first-chair (at least three of which were first degree felonies), two felony criminal appeals taken to mandate, and one writ to the Court of Criminal Appeals.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable motor vehicle.
Applicants must send curriculum vitae, cover letter, references, SBOT disciplinary history, and authorization for criminal background check to [email protected], no later than August 31, 2017. Questions regarding Culberson County employment benefits should be directed to [email protected], c/o: Susana Hinojos, Culberson County Treasurer.