Deputy Public Defender II

Position Summary

The Churchill County Public Defender's Office is offering a rewarding and challenging career opportunity to legal professionals as a Deputy Public Defender II. The Public Defender's Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the Public Defender's Office to protect every client's constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted. The Public Defender's Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.

The person in this position must possess the requisite skills and enthusiasm to be charged with the competent and thorough representation of indigent clients. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctorate in Law and admittance to practice in the State courts of Nevada and a minimum of four years of experience as a licensed Nevada attorney with courtroom experience.

As a full-time, regular position, the person hired would be enrolled in the Nevada PERS retirement system. In addition to the salary paid, the county contributes an additional 36.75% into PERS on the employee's behalf (value of $17.52/hour or $36,400 annually). In addition, the employee will not contribute to Social Security, resulting in an additional 6% in take-home pay (an equivalent of $2.86/hour or $5,950 annually). The county also pays 100% for employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $5.82/hour or $12,800 annually). Employees in these positions will also receive full accruals of vacation leave (8 hours per month) and sick leave (10 hours per month). These employees also receive 8 hours for pay for paid holidays.

If you think you might be a good fit for the position, submit your application online at www.churchillcountynv.gov/careers. In addition to filling out the online application, applicants are required to electronically attach a résumé, cover letter (indicating why you are interested in working as a Deputy Public Defender), and a recent writing sample that demonstrates your writing skills and analytical ability pertaining to a legal case or issue. If an applicant has difficulty attaching documents, the applicant should email HR@churchillcountynv.gov with the documents and the applicant's contact information.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Represent the Office of the Public Defender by providing professional legal services in a variety of indigent criminal cases, investigations, trial preparation in a court in the State of Nevada; prepares and reviews a variety of complex legal documents; and provides assistance to or handles a variety of criminal and juvenile cases. This is an at-will position that serves at the pleasure of the Public Defender.

Essential Functions

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Works under the direction of the Public Defender/Alternate Public Defender in acting as legal counsel for indigent clients in a wide variety of defense cases; cases include criminal misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony cases; juvenile delinquency cases; 432B cases; termination of parental rights cases; guardianship cases; parole hearings; appellate work.
• Reviews criminal complaints and analyzes them for the propriety of charges.
• Investigates cases; interviews and counsels indigent defendants and witnesses; may visit crime scenes, jails, and case-related sites; confers with investigators regarding the collection of facts and evidence; obtains documents by subpoena and other discovery methods.
• Appears on behalf of clients at all hearings including, but not limited to, arraignments, preliminary hearings, motion hearings, bail hearings, jury trials, mediations, drug court and other specialty courts, probation revocation hearings and sanity hearings.
• Prepares for, and conducts, hearings and trials including bench trials and jury trials.
• Prepares appellate cases including briefings and oral arguments before appellate courts.
• Presents plea negotiations to prosecutors; negotiates with prosecutors, probation officers and judges regarding the disposition or modification of charges; advises clients on settlement offers, options, and potential for success at trial or other dispositions of cases.
• Performs legal research and studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions and legal points and authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs for the defense.
• Maintains accurate records and files; prepares a variety of records and reports as assigned.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate in Law and admittance to practice in the State courts of Nevada; OR Under the Nevada Supreme Court’s rules of practice, applicants who are admitted to practice in any other jurisdiction may apply under NSCR 49.1 (as amended by ADKT 616 in June 2024) to practice law in the Office of Public Defender WITHOUT the need to take the Nevada Bar Examination. Minimum of four years of experience as a licensed attorney; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Criminal law for adults and juveniles.
• Application of legal principles to individual cases or problems.
• Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
• Applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
• Computer applications, particularly as related to the performance of legal research.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

• Understanding and interpreting constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and precedents.
• Presenting facts, evidence, and precedents concerned in complex cases in the form of briefs, motions, or writs.
• Researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations, and court decisions.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate records of work performed.
• Compiling and summarizing information and preparing periodic or special reports.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities, and meeting critical deadlines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or department goals, objectives, and activities.
• Using tact, discretion, and prudence in dealing with court officials, witnesses, members of the legal community and the general public.

• Nevada Driver’s License.
• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Nevada and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada OR Under the Nevada Supreme Court’s rules of practice, applicants who are admitted to practice in any other jurisdiction may apply under NSCR 49.1 (as amended by ADKT 616 in June 2024) to practice law in the Office of Public Defender WITHOUT the need to take the Nevada Bar Examination.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone and in person.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable).
• Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.

DISCLAIMER: Churchill County provides benefits to regular employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time, regular positions (depending on job). Most part time positions provide no benefits.

No Nevada state income tax

Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada - Churchill County contributes 36.75% of an eligible Regular Member's salary for retirement. Churchill County contributes 58.75% of an eligible Police Member's salary for retirement. Retirement benefits are available to employees hired in positions that work 20 hours per week or more on a regular basis. Positions of less than 20 hours per week (or less than 1040 hours in a fiscal year) will receive Social Security contributions and will not be enrolled in PERS.

Deferred Compensation Plans
Employees can also participate in the VOYA 457 deferred compensation plan, which is funded by the employee. This allows the employee to save money in pre-tax dollars toward retirement.

Cafeteria Health Coverage Plan – Full-time employees' health insurance begins the first of the month after one month of employment. (Employees must work an average 30 or more hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for health insurance coverage.)

The county offers a "Cafeteria" health plan to full-time employees, which allows employees to pick and choose the best health plan for them and their family. The county offers three health plans - a base PPO plan with a $1,500 deductible, a "buy-up" PPO plan with a $750 deductible, and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a $2,700 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA), to which the county contributes $177 per month. In addition, the county also provides the following: a prescription plan, a dental plan, and a vision plan. The county currently contributes 100% of the employee premiums for the base PPO plan and the HDHP, as well as for the prescription, dental, and vision plans. Employees who elect dependent coverage pay 100% of the dependent premiums - employees can elect to have those premiums deducted in pre-tax dollars.

Vacation Leave
Full-time, regular county employees scheduled to work 40 hours per week accrue 8 hours per month of annual (vacation) leave per year. Part-time, regular county employees accrue annual (vacation) leave vacation at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked. Employees earn additional annual leave hours at 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service up to a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) per year. While on probation an employee is not granted vacation leave for the first six months; the employee still accrues vacation leave during this time and will be credited with 48 hours of vacation leave after six months of employment in their regular position.

Sick Leave
Full-time, regular county employees scheduled 10 hours of sick leave per month, with no maximum accrual. Part-time, regular employees accrue sick leave at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked.

HOLIDAYS - Regular county employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per calendar year including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Family Day (Friday after Thanksgiving), and Christmas Day. In addition, County employees are entitled to one floating holiday per year, to be used at a time agreed to by the employee and his or her supervisor. (Regular, part-time employees receive prorated holidays based on the number of hours normally worked.)

Tuition Reimbursement
Churchill County values it's employees and empowers all employees to enhance their skills by taking job-related college courses as well as participating in job related workshops and seminars. To that end, for regular employees the county has a generous Tuition Reimbursement policy for accredited courses, reimbursing up to $1,200 per year in educational expenses.