Chief Trial Lawyer (Public Defender’s Office)

Salary: $103,845.90 – $134,316.00 Annually

Location : Mount Clemens, MI

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 23-00399

Department: Public Defenders Office

Opening Date: 08/31/2023

Closing Date: 9/14/2023 5:00 PM Eastern

CLASSIFICATION DETAILS
DEPARTMENT: Office of Public Defender

HIRING AUTHORITY: Public Defender

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 a.m.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction of the Public Defender, manages, coordinates, and oversees the daily operations and activities of the Office of Public Defender. Coordinates activities of strategic planning, budget development, administration, and supervision of assigned employees. Represents indigent defendants in felony, high profile, or serious criminal defense cases.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Represents indigent clients in complex, and/or high profile, and/or serious criminal cases, including life offenses.

Develops and implements long and short-term strategic planning initiatives, including procedures required to comply with and measure compliance with indigent criminal defense standards.

Completes special projects and assignments necessary to department operations.

Assists others in determining needs, addressing issues, and administering department policies and procedures.

Collaboratively develops and implements department policies and procedures.

Conducts staff meetings, Roster Attorney file reviews and Public Defender attorney file reviews as assigned.

Manages and supervises daily department operations of the Office of Public Defender, including department technology and department website.

Assists in the preparation and administration of the department budget and grants.

Reviews financial information, record management, and department practices, and makes recommendations for improvement.

Provides oversight and approval of external communication, news releases, press releases and other external communications before distribution in publicity cases.

Represents the Office of Public Defender at job-related meetings, as directed.

Assists with review of Expert and Investigator requests.

Assists with management of investigator and Social Worker resources, as assigned.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Performs department related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

  • Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • Five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law.
  • Qualified as a class A, B, and C attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Previous supervisory experience

Required Licenses or Certifications

  • Current membership in good standing in the State Bar of Michigan
  • Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

  • Conducting electronic Legal Research
  • Zoom and Webex conferencing
  • Use of forms as part of department operations
  • Budget and personnel policies and procedures
  • Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products
  • Modern office procedures and methods
  • Manual and electronic Court filing, office file record keeping, and office record retention procedures
  • Methods for obtaining and retention of electronic Discovery
  • Database applications and report writing, data mining and collection for operational review

Skill in:

  • Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff and the public
  • Providing customer service to internal and external customers via phone, email and in person
  • Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
  • Organization and time management
  • Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
  • Operating personal computers with current versions of office efficiency software and applications

Ability to:

  • Collaborate on matters of department Policy making
  • Make decisions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Work with diverse populations
  • Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
  • Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
  • Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
  • Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
  • Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
  • Maintain the confidentiality of information
  • Work independently
  • Train, supervise, direct, and organize the work of others
  • Learn new policies, practices and procedures
  • Read and understand laws, rulings and other published guidance

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

  • The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

N/S

O

F/C

Office or similar indoor environment

X

Outdoor environment

X

Street environment (near moving traffic)

X

Construction site

X

Confined space

X

Exposures

N/S

O

F/C

Individuals who are hostile or irate

X

Individuals with known violent backgrounds

X
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)

X

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

X

Communicable diseases

X

Moving mechanical parts

X

Fumes or airborne particles

X

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances or waste

X

Loud noises (85+ decibels)

X

Blood Borne Pathogens

X

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Frequency

Description

Physical

N/S

O

F/C

Balancing

X

On even or uneven surfaces/ground

Bending

X

Tasks involve forward or backward bending at the waist

Climbing/Working at Heights

X

Tasks involve climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms

Crawling

X

Inspecting in confined spaces. Moving about on hands and knees

Digging

X

Tasks involve manual digging

Driving

X

Tasks involve operating any motor powered vehicle on sealed and unsealed roads

Grasping

X

Tasks involve gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands

Kneeling

X

Tasks involve flexing/bending at the knees and ankles to work at low levels

Leg/Foot Movement

X

Tasks involve use of the leg and/or foot to operate machinery

Manual Dexterity

X

Tasks involve fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing

Lift/Carry

Tasks involve raising/lowering or moving objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below)

Up to 10 pounds

X

11-24 pounds

X

25-34 pounds

X

35-50 pounds

X

51-74 pounds

X

75-99 pounds

X

Over 100 pounds

X

Push / Pull

X

Tasks involve pushing/pulling objects away from or towards the body

Reaching

X

Tasks involve reaching overhead with arms raised above shoulder height or forward reaching with arms extended

Sitting

X

Tasks involve remaining in a seated position during the task performance

Standing

X

Tasks involve standing in an upright position without movement

Walking

X

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces

Running

X

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS and DISCLAIMERS
Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by these statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION –This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.

Health, Dental and Vision Plans.
As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage.

  • Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment

Paid Time Off (PTO), Holidays and Sick Time
Macomb County understands the need to balance work life with home life. We have policies for paid time off (PTO), illness, and holidays.

Retirement System
Macomb County has a defined contribution 401(a) plan. The employee contribution is 3% of base wages and the County contribution is 6% of base wages per pay period. Employees are 100% vested after five (5) years of service.

Deferred Compensation
Macomb County employees are eligible to contribute up to fifty percent (50%) of gross salary or the annual maximum as established by the IRS (whichever is less) to a pre-tax savings plan. The County does not contribute to this savings plan.

Life Insurance
Macomb County offers life insurance provided by the employer for regular full-time employees. Additionally, the employer will provide a payroll deduction for employees wishing to purchase additional life insurance for their self, spouse, and eligible dependents.

Long Term Disability
Long-term disability coverage is effective the first day of the month following six (6) months of continuous employment. This benefit is intended for lengthy illnesses with a 180-day elimination period, paying 60% of an employee’s monthly income.

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. “See resume” is not an acceptable answer to questions.

  • Yes, I understand and agree
  • No, I do not agree

02

Do you have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university?

  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you have a current membership in good standing in the State Bar of Michigan?

  • Yes
  • No

04

Do you have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law?

  • Yes
  • No

05

If you indicated you have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law, please briefly describe your experience. If you do not possess this experience, please type “N/A.” Please note “See Resume” is not an acceptable response.

06

Are you qualified as a class A, B, and C attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified?

  • Yes
  • No

07

In the space provided please indicate which class of attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense you hold, or if eligible to be qualified. If you are currently qualified to take indigent defense assignments in a system other than Macomb County, for each indigent defense system that you take assignments state: 1) Name of the System; 2)Highest level severity of cases assigned (e.g. misdemeanor; felony 1 to 5 yrs; Felony over 5 years up to life; LIFE felony)

08

Do you have experience supervising or directing the activities of legal staff?

  • Yes
  • No

09

If you answered “Yes” to having supervisory experience, please explain your experience below, including how many people you have supervised and the types of positions they were. If you answered “No”, please type N/A. Please note “See Resume” is not an acceptable response.

10

Do you have experience working in the public sector?

  • Yes
  • No

11

If you answered “Yes” to having experience working in the public sector, please explain your experience below. If you answered “No”, please type N/A. Please note “See Resume” is not an acceptable response.

12

Do you have experience in grant writing and/or grant reporting?

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Job Category
Administration and Office
Job Type
Full Time/Permanent
Salary
USD 103,845.90 - 134,316.00 per year
Country
United States
City
Mount Clemens
Career Level
unspecified
Company
Macomb County, MI
JOB SOURCE
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/macomb/jobs/4182723