Kitsap County’s Office of Public Defense is staffed with dedicated attorneys focused on providing client-centered representation to every individual they represent.

The ideal candidate will have an extensive knowledge of Washington criminal law, as well as the constitutions of both the United States and Washington. This newest team member will have great command over the sentencing guidelines, rules of evidence, court rules, and rules of professional conduct. A familiarity with mental health, chemical dependency, and economic impoverishment issues is strongly desired. A combination of familiarity with the aforementioned issues and requisite legal knowledge will help ensure our newest addition fulfills the office’s fundamental responsibility of promoting and protecting the best interest of each and every client.

• Juris Doctorate from a recognized and accredited law school.
• Two years criminal law experience.
• An active member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.

• Felony law experience.
• Experience working with Kitsap County Courts.

• The successful incumbent will or may have unsupervised access to children under 18 years of age, a vulnerable adult, or a vulnerable person, or access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system(s). As a result, Kitsap County will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which will include fingerprinting.

• The duties in this position are performed in an office or a courtroom setting
• Incumbents may be exposed to hostile individuals while in the courtroom setting, while visiting sites and interviewing witnesses, especially at off-site locations

• Review and evaluate evidence
• Represent individuals charged with felonies, at all stages of the criminal proceedings
• Provide support, education, and coverage to Public Defender 1 positions, and assist other public defenders as assigned
• Serve subpoenas, summonses, and other required documents to witnesses and suspects

• Who May Apply: This position is open to the public. Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms. The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
• This position is classified as exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Non-represented and covered under the Kitsap County Personnel Manual.
• Classified as "at will". Incumbent's continued employment is at the discretion of the Chief Public Defender.
• Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.