.gif)
-
Assistant Public Defender
POSITION: ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
Exempt Full-Time
DEPARTMENT: Office of the Public Defender
Venango County Courthouse
PAY GRADE: LEGAL EXEMPT GRADE TWO
OVERALL OBJECTIVE:
To provide competent legal representation to a wide variety of criminal defendants, alleged incompetents and abused children (and some civil cases).
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None except in absence of Chief Public Defender or as delegated.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Receives instruction and supervision as needed from Chief Public Defender in regard to daily work duties.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES- Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses, and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
- Counsels clients.
- Prepares and files motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
- Represents client at pre-trial hearings/conferences, other proceedings, arraignments, jury and non-jury trials, sentencing and post-conviction hearings.
- Prepares post-trial motions, briefs and arguments for appeals to Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts.
- Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
- Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
- Dictates or writes letters and other legal correspondence and reports.
- Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public.
- Travels as necessary for duties and responsibilities of position.
OTHER DUTIES OF JOB- Attends staffing and training sessions.
- Performs other job-related duties as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential job duties.
- Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Must possess initiative, creativity and problem solving skills.
- Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers and others.
- Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and records.
- Must possess the technical knowledge of operating personal computers.
- Must possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License and a willingness to travel as needed to complete job duties, unless deemed exempt.
- Must possess knowledge and ability to effectively and adequately represent a variety of clients in various criminal and civil cases.
- Must possess ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents and procedures.
- Must possess ability to set forth finding of facts and conclusions in written legal form.
- Must possess ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at logical interpretation.
- Must possess ability to effectively coordinate individual cases and also interact with other staff members.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Juris Doctorate degree, licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar.
WORK EXPERIENCE
None required, but public defender internship or similar experience is preferred.
CLEARANCES
Must work in conjunction with employer to apply for Act 34 PA State Police Criminal History, Act 151 PA Child Abuse and FBI clearances prior to employment. All clearances must reflect acceptable results.Clearances must be renewed at least every five years.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Must not appear on Preclusion Lists as defined by “Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Bulletin 99-11-05 Provider Screening of Employees and Contractors for Exclusion from Participating in Federal Healthcare Programs.”
- Must successfully complete pre-employment drug screening.
HOW TO APPLY
A County application is required to be considered for the advertised vacancy. Applications are only accepted for positions in which we are actively recruiting. Applications received for positions not being advertised or general/blanket applications will be discarded.
Applications are available:- Online by visiting: https://www.co.venango.pa.us/288/Job-Application-Process
- In-Person by visiting the Venango County Human Resource Office on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse Annex building located at 1174 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323
- By fax or e-mail. You must contact the Venango County Human Resource Office by calling (814) 432-9556 or (814) 432-9549 to share your e-mail or fax number.
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
VENANGO COUNTY IS A DRUG FREE WORK PLACE
DEADLINE TO APPLY: March 23, 2023 @ 4:00 PM
APPLICANTS WHO REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO A DISABILITY SHOULD CONTACT 432-9552 FOR ASSISTANCE.
