The Hill Country Regional Public Defender Office (HCRPDO) is seeking a Chief Public Defender, to be located in the Kerrville, Boerne or Hondo Office. The HCRPDO represents indigent defendants in Kerr, Gillespie, Kendall, Bandera and Medina Counties primarily for those facing felony criminal charges. Applicants must be willing to relocate to reside within the region. Compensation includes an annual salary ranging from $125,000 to $135,000, depending upon experience, plus benefits of employment with Medina County including health care and retirement.
The Chief Public Defender for the HCRPDO directs the office that provides publicly assisted representation of clients in criminal cases, including misdemeanors, juveniles, felonies and appeals. Participates in planning programs, policies or objectives for the entire Department. Supervises the entire staff of 30 consisting of attorneys, investigators, legal assistants and the Office Administrator.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
1) Ensures the functions and services of the HCRPDO are provided in accordance with the requirements of the State and Federal Constitutions, State Laws and the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct.
2) Prepares, monitors and updates the procedures/operations manual as well as the budget for HCRPDO
3) Complies with all conditions of the TIDC Justice Improvement Grant as well as the provisions of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure relating to Public Defender Offices.
4) Plans, organizes, directs and manages the day-to-day operations of the HCRPDO.
5) Oversees caseload assignments for all Felony, misdemeanor, juvenile and appellate cases.
6) Supervises planning, development, preparation and monitoring of annual budget and statistical reports for the purposes of compliance with the TIDC grant process.
7) Develops and maintains good working relationships with Judges of assigned courts while continuing to act as a vigorous advocate for the rights of clients being represented.
8) Meets quarterly or as required with the HCRPDO Oversight Board in accordance with the provisions of the TIDC grant.
9) Directs and controls the organization, staffing, administration and evaluation of all authorized activities of the HCRPDO.
10) Appears before the relative Governing Bodies for the purpose of transparency, detailing operations of the HCRPDO
11) Responsible for the selection, training, evaluation, promotion and termination of HCRPDO staff.
12) Presents to social and civic groups, incarcerated persons, and other organizations to publicize, promote, and explain the public defender program.
13) Represents the HCRPDO in appropriate public and professional meetings, conferences and interacts with State and County Officials, the State Bar and citizen groups.
14) Makes regular reports to the HCRPDO Oversight Board and provides such other reports, when requested, to the participating stakeholders.
15) Performs other duties as assigned.
NOTE: The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
1) Juris Doctor and minimum of 10 years experience as a Criminal Defense Attorney
2) Minimum of 10 felony trials to jury verdict including at least 5 First Degree Felonies
3) Or, any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education, experience and required knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS
1) 10 or more years of Criminal Defense experience. Minimum of 2 years of mid-to-senior level supervisor or management experience, including direct supervision of criminal defense attorneys; Experience with cases in felony and misdemeanor court, including service as lead counsel on felony and misdemeanor criminal jury trials to a jury verdict. Preferred experience in juvenile and criminal appeals; experience with developing and implementing organizational budgets, experience leading or helping to lead a public defender office
2) Advanced research and writing skills, trial advocacy skills, effective verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to deal effectively with the public, other employees, and elected officials. Must have a high degree of case evaluation and advocacy skills. Must have expertise in trials, advanced knowledge of the rules of evidence, case law, penal code violations, the Code of Criminal Procedure and Appellate rules.
ESSENTIAL BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
HCRPDO employees are expected to use professional courtesy, discretion and sound judgement when engaging in any contact with co-workers, clients, vendors, visitors or other Court employees in the HCRPDO participating Counties. Employees are responsible for, but not limited to, the following behavioral expectations,; maintaining confidentiality of business knowledge and employee information, maintaining professional relations while engaging in job related tasks, cooperating with others to resolve conflict and achieve goals, maintaining a pleasant attitude while leaving personal business or issues outside of the work place.
Routine contact as needed with criminal defendants, victims, police, coworkers, department employees, the public and elected officials to negotiate, persuade, exchange routine information; instructs and makes presentations as applicable, frequent contact with employees in other departments to request information.
Works under broadly defined guidelines, uses independent judgement to determine standards to apply or adjust. Subject to any additional policies or duties as determined by the HCRPDO Oversight Board.
An Application must be completed for each position. No résumés accepted in lieu of an application form. Applications can be downloaded from the Human Resources Department section of the Medina County Texas website: www.medinacountytexas.org and returned to:
[email protected] Medina County HR 1300 Avenue M, Room 130 Hondo, TX 78861
830-741-6111