Position Summary:
ATTORNEY- the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the Chief Sedgwick County Public Defender in Wichita, Kansas.
The Chief Sedgwick County Public Defender is the lead supervising attorney of the Sedgwick County Public Defender Office (SGPD). The SGPD is the largest public defender office in the State of Kansas, located in Wichita, the most populous city in Kansas (population, 385,000). The Chief Public Defenders of the Kansas public defense system are each leaders within our agency who consistently demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the zealous and dignified representation of the poor.
The Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, through its regional public defender offices like the Sedgwick County Public Defender represent adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. Our mission is to provide a high quality, zealous defense for our clients in every case.
The Mission
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of recreating its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based holistic defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.
We are looking for a dynamic, client-centered leader who is passionate about the importance of public defense and is interested in aiding our efforts to fundamentally rebuild our system and transform our offices, including the Sedgwick County Public Defender Office, into a model of holistic public defense practice. This position presents a tremendous opportunity to become a founding leader in our efforts to fundamentally remake the face of public defense not just in Wichita, but in the entire Kansas Public Defense System.
We are interested in candidates who believe in the importance of training defenders in client-centered holistic defense practices, who appreciate the importance of developing connections with local community leaders as part of the establishment of a participatory defense hub, and who believe that every client and every employee is entitled to dignity and respect. Wichita is a remarkably diverse community with stark economic differences across the city, therefore this position requires an applicant who has experience working with economically and racially diverse populations.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
The Chief Sedgwick County Public Defender is responsible for the overall management of the Sedgwick County Public Defender office in partnership with two Deputy Public Defenders. Specific responsibilities include personnel supervision, general office administration, hiring and discipline of personnel, coordination of periodic in-house trainings, ethical training and oversight, caseload management, case assignments, and all other areas necessary for the best representation possible for our clients. In order to effectively administer the office, Chief Public Defenders are expected to carry a reduced caseload.
Employment Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
- Sick & Vacation leave
- Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
- Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
- Fitness Centers in select locations
- Employee discounts with the STAR Program
- Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Minimum Qualifications :
- Graduation from an ABA accredited law school.
- At least 5 years of criminal defense experience handling major felonies.
- Applicants must also either be currently licensed to practice law in the State of Kansas or their license in another state must be in good standing and they must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire.
- Must also have demonstrated experience leading others.
- Must have exceptional communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written form.
- Ability to use all necessary electronic systems, including all required E-filing systems and records management systems, as well as case tracking databases.
- Must be able to effectively handle emergency or crisis situations in a calm and effective manner.
- Must be able to process, organize, and manage complex litigation.
- Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
- Must have demonstrated ability to effectively interact with clients, employees, and colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and able to manage confidential information.
- Must be willing and able to treat every client, witness, employee, and colleague with dignity and respect.
- Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a client-centered practice.
- Must possess exceptional organizational and time management skills.
- Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
Preferred Qualifications :
- Prior or current service as a trial public defender.
- Prior administrative or supervisory experience.
- Prior service as a Chief Defender.
- Prior experience handling personnel issues, including hiring and termination of employees and employee disciplinary issues.
- Experience developing or leading training programs.
- Ability to demonstrate a continuing commitment to the provision of quality criminal defense services to poor clients.
- Experience and/or familiarity with holistic, client-centered public defense practices.
- Experience in community organizing and the development of local community connections and resources.
- Experience and/or familiarity with participatory defense models.
- Experience working with economically and racially diverse populations.
Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements :
Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to two pre-employment conditions which include:
- Successful admission to the Kansas Bar or confirmation of an active Kansas license.
- Governor’s salary approval.
Full job posting and instructions are available here.
Email resume, cover letter, list of references, and Kansas Tax Clearance to recruiter.
When emailing application materials, please include "SG CO PD Chief Application" in your email subject line.
Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- List of References
- Kansas Tax Clearance form. Clearance form can be procured here: https://www.ksrevenue.org/taxclearance.html
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov : “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents” and “Save Tax Clearance Certificate as a PDF”
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate Required: Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
