Southeast Kansas Regional Public Defender Office
Independence, KS
Senior Assistant Public Defender (Public Defender II):
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Senior Assistant Public Defender (PD II) in the Southeast Kansas Regional Public Defender Office in Independence, Kansas.
The position of Senior Assistant Public Defender is for attorneys who effectively handle all lower severity level and some higher severity level cases assigned to them with minimal supervision.
The Mission:
The Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), through its regional public defender offices like the Southeast Kansas Regional Public Defender Office, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative 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 dynamic, client-centered advocates who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to fundamentally rebuild our system and transform the Southeast Kansas Regional Public Defender Office into a model of collaborative public defense practice.
Responsibilities:
Senior Assistant Public Defenders possess an advanced litigation skill set and have developed a comprehensive motions practice. Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues with some assistance from other experienced attorneys within their office.
Senior Assistant Public Defenders are capable of and willing to provide some limited mentoring, in-house training, and guidance to less experienced attorneys and defense staff, as requested by the Chief Public Defender or their Deputy.
Senior Assistant Public Defenders consistently advance the ideals of a client-centered, holistic public defender system both internally within the agency and in their interactions with outside legal system stakeholders. Senior Assistant Public Defenders must continue to actively advance their level of practice by seeking additional learning opportunities. These attorneys maintain the highest standards of professionalism, inspire others, and take active steps to create a positive, safe, and supportive office culture.
Salary and Benefits:
Compensation for this position (Public Defender II) ranges from $70,000 – $86,940. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications. We are happy to discuss salary expectations with interested applicants.
The State of Kansas Employment Benefits Package includes:
• First day of employment comprehensive coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical, prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision Tax advantage accounts are available and include options such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury leave, and funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Qualifications:
Minimum requirements for this position include:
Education and Experience:
• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Licensed attorney who is active and in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment.
• Have a preferred minimum of 3 years of experience in criminal defense or other comparable legal practice.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Must have exceptional communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written and oral form.
• Ability to use all necessary electronic devices including computers, e-filing systems, as well as case management systems.
• Ability to coordinate with supporting personnel to provide client-centered, holistic representation.
• Must have appropriate time management skills and organizational skills and demonstrate proficiency of avoiding unnecessary delays in client’s cases through appropriate preparation and planning.
• Must be able to process, organize and manage complex litigation.
• Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
• Must be able to effectively interact with clients, co-workers and other colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Must be academically curious about criminal law and procedure.
• Must be able to treat every client, witness and colleague with dignity and respect without exception.
• Must demonstrate an on-going commitment to a client-centered practice.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
• Occasional travel to other work locations including courts and jail.
Conditions of Employment:
• Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas or; attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire.
• Must have a valid driver’s license where courts and jails are not located within walking distance of the office.
• All Employment is subject to the Governor’s salary approval.
Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to two pre-employment conditions which include:
• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
• Governor’s salary approval.
Application Materials Needed:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample
• List of three professional references
• If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, please also include your DD214
To apply for this position, please click the link below.
Apply – Senior Assistant Public Defender:
https://jobs.sok.ks.gov/psc/sokhrprdcg/APPLICANT/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_...
Ensure you upload all required documents during the application process.
If you have any further questions please contact:
Shawn Keeling
Human Resources Professional, Administration Office
State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
[email protected]
Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, position is open until filled.
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