Public Defender

Statement on Remote Work Policy – Mono County, California

“Mono County does not allow fully remote positions. All employees are required to perform their job duties in person at their designated work location(s) to ensure adherence to Mono County policies, state labor laws, applicable tax regulations, and operational requirements. Requests for intermittent remote work may be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the approval of both departmental management and Human Resources.”

Description

• This is not a remote position.
  
  

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position, which serves at the will of the Mono County Board of Supervisors, is responsible for managing the indigent defense program in Mono County. It is not anticipated, nor authorized without explicit Board of Supervisors consent, that the incumbent in this position will litigate cases on behalf of indigent individuals.

Classifications Supervised

Support staff.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONISBILITIES(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

• Administers and directs a program of legal counseling and representation for persons accused of violations of criminal law, juveniles brought before the juvenile court, and persons undergoing involuntary commitment proceedings for mental illness, drug addiction, or alcoholism.
• Responsible for the creation of the standards, policies, training, procedures and data collection for the Public Defender’s Office.
• Monitors and manages the performance of contracted public defenders.
• Assists in the hiring and evaluation of professional and support staff.
• Plans, organizes, directs and manages staff and contracted public defenders engaged in providing legal defense services to the public in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring; assigning and directing work; providing information, feedback, or assistance; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Supervises contract attorneys who will take appropriate steps to provide effective legal defense services in criminal court, juvenile delinquency court, conservatorships, and child welfare proceedings, including advising on proper pleas, investigation, research, motions, pretrial hearings, preliminary hearings, negotiations, trials and sentencing.
• Directs the preparation and administration of the office’s annual budget.
• Seeks and oversees the application for grants and other state or federal aid that may become available.
• Makes annual, and as necessary, presentations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Acts as the primary representative of the Public Defender's Office in contacts with the public, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice partnerships, and other government jurisdictions.
• Serves as liaison with judges and other representatives of the Court, the County's District Attorney Office, Probation Department, and other County departments, and law enforcement agencies.
• Confers with defense and prosecution attorneys, probation authorities, investigators, court officials, mental health professionals, agencies providing services to clients, and law enforcement agencies to discuss diversion programs, alternatives to traditional models of prosecution and other cross-departmental collaborative projects to improve community safety.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge Of

• Practice of indigent defense, criminal law, child welfare, conservatorships.
• Legal research and writing.
• Motions and Trial practice.
• Ethical duties of indigent defense counsel.
• Effective supervision techniques.
• Labor law as it relates to personnel.
• Budget effectiveness and efficiency.
• Modern case management applications or systems.
• Grant applications, monitoring, reporting, and data collection.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  
  

Ability to:

• Practice and manage indigent defense, criminal law, child welfare, conservatorships.
• Perform superior legal research and writing.
• Advise and draft motions and engage in trial practice.
• Understand and communicate ethical duties of indigent defense counsel.
• Employ superior supervision techniques.
• Understand and deploy labor law as it relates to personnel.
• Craft and monitor a budget effectively and efficiently.
• Implement modern case management applications or systems.
• Draft grant applications, monitoring, reporting, and data collection.
• Implement the duties and responsibilities included in this job posting.
  
  

Training And Experience

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education: Possession of a Juris Doctor Degree from an American Bar Association Accredited institution.
• Experience: At least 5 years in the full-time practice of law. Experience in criminal law practice, particularly in criminal defense practice.
• Certifications/Licenses: A member in good standing of the California Bar Association.
  
  

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid driver's license and an active California Bar Association License, in good standing.

Applicants May Be Subject To

• Criminal and comprehensive background check
• Live Scan fingerprinting (especially for roles involving public safety or working with vulnerable populations)
  
  

Typical Physical Requirements

Sit for extended periods, frequently stand, and walk; normal dexterity and hand-eye coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, copiers and FAX; ability to operate an automobile

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is usually performed in an office environment, with frequent contact with staff and the public.

Mono County Summary Of Benefits

The following information is intended to provide a summary of benefits and does not include full details of coverage. Service limitations and restrictions may apply depending on coverage levels and services rendered.

Pay Periods and Payroll Deductions

County employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, which consists of 26 pay periods per year. Payroll deductions including medical and most voluntary deductions will occur on a semi-monthly basis or 2 times per month. Retirement contributions will always be deducted on all 26 pay periods.

Medical Mono County Contracts with CalPERS

To provide health insurance for its employees and currently offers several Preferred Provider (PPO) Plans which are administered by Anthem Blue Cross. Employees have the option to choose from PERS Gold, PERS Platinum, and PORAC. The PORAC Plan is currently only available to members of the Safety group employee's. Medical plan costs vary based on the plan and coverage you select. The employee and the County share the cost of the plan, which is deducted on a pre-tax basis. The employee’s cost is in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding with each bargaining group. For more information regarding health plans, please visit: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/active-members/health-benefits/plans-and-rates

Dental Mono County

Offers a self-insured dental plan administered by Delta Dental of California and currently offers the following benefits:

• $1,100.00 each year towards your dental coverage if you choose an in-network Delta DentalPPO Dentist.
• $1,000.00 each year towards your dental coverage if you choose and out-of-network orNon-Delta Dental PPO Dentist.
• Diagnostic and preventative coverage of 70 – 100 % of contracted allowance (based onlength enrolled in the plan and dentist visit of at least once per year).
• Major services are covered at 50% of the contracted allowance.
  
  

Currently Dental coverage is provided to eligible Mono County employees at 100% employer paid.

Vision

Vision Service Plan is our Vision Insurance provider. Our plan is VSP Signature. Benefits include:

• well/vision exam every 12 months, carries a $10 copay.
• $160 allowance for frames and 20% off amount over allowance.
• $180 allowance for contacts and contact lens exam and 15% off contact lens fitting andevaluation. Currently Vision coverage is provided to eligible Mono County employees at 100% employer paid.
  
  

Basic Life Insurance

Administered by Voya Mono County Employees are entitled to Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.

Mono County also offers coverage to employee’s spouse and dependents. Life Insurance is administered by Voya Insurance.

• Coverage for General Employees is $5,000.00
• At-Will/Elected Employees/Paramedic Coverage is $50,000.00
• Coverage for Employee’s Spouse is $1,000.00
• Coverage for Employee’s Children is also $1,000.00
• Coverage for Employee’s Children under six months is $100.00
  
  

Currently Basic Life coverage is provided to eligible Mono County employees at 100% employer paid.

Supplemental Life Insurance – Administered by Voya

Employees have the option of enrolling in a Supplemental Life insurance policy for themselves, their spouse and any dependent children. This policy is purchased by the employee with rates based on the age group at the time of enrollment.

Required

Supplemental life insurance coverage can be enrolled in the first 31 days of employment without proof of good health, after 31 days proof of good health is required. Amounts available are as follows:

• For Employee up to $150,000 (guaranteed issue) or up to $500,000 with proof of goodhealth
• For Spouse up to $50,000.00 and for the Employee’s Children for $10,000.00.
  
  

Flexible Spending Accounts and Optional Insurances

Provided by WORKTERRAFlexible Spending Accounts for medical reimbursement and dependent care are available through a Section 125 account administered by WORKTERRA. These accounts allow you to contribute pre-tax dollars to help pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses.

Mono County Deferred Compensation 457/401(a) Plan

The County provides deferred compensation plan through Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a) Employees have the option to sign up for the 457-deferred compensation plan and contribute up to the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. If the employee contributes a total of 1-3% of their pre-tax salary, the County will match those contributions up to a maximum of 3% into a 401 (a) plan under the employee’s name. The employee may direct the investment of all contributions in accordance with the options or limitation provided by the 401(a) Plan.

CalPERS Retirement Benefits And Contributions

Mono County contracts with CalPERS for your retirement plan. Your retirement plan is a defined benefit plan determined by a set formula which uses your years of service, age at retirement, and highest one or three years of service. The Plan is funded by contributions from the employee, the County and investments from plan assets.

Mono County has a Local Miscellaneous group and a Local Safety group.

Your benefit formula will fall within one of these two groups

Most New Members Will Fall Within The New Pension Reform Formulas Of 2 @ 62 For Miscellaneous & 2.7 @ 57 For All Safety Group. However, If You Do Have Prior Membership You May Be Eligible For The Formulas That Were In Place On December 31st 2012, Before Pension Reform Went Into Place. Our Pre-pension Reform Formulas Are

Local Miscellaneous Group = 2.5% @ 55

Local Safety – Sheriff = 3% @ 55

Local Safety – Fire = 2% @ 50

Local Safety – County Peace Officer = 3% @ 50

Find Out All About Your CalPERS Benefits At Www.calpers.ca.gov

AFLAC – Optional Insurance Provider

Mono County contracts with a Local Representative who provides our employees with the opportunity to enroll in several different policies offered by AFLAC, to include; Cancer, Critical Care, Hospital, Accident, Disability, intensive Care. New employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment; all other transactions are done during open enrollment each year.

EAP – Employee Assistance Program

Mono County offers two different Employee Assistance Programs through Trindel Insurance Fund and Voya. Both programs include counseling and telephone consultation services addressing a variety of personal topics to promote a healthy family and work life balance.

Mono County Wellness Program

Mono County offers a discounted rate, as well as $25 towards Membership to local health clubs at the Double Eagle in June Lake or Snowcreek Athletic Club and The Body Shop in Mammoth Lakes.

For employees living or working in Bridgeport, there is a County maintained facility in the Bridgeport Memorial Hall that employees have access to for a small one-time fee of $10.00

SICK & VACATION

Sick – (Unless an applicable collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise)

Eligible employees will accrue sick leave at the rate of 12 sick days per year. Permanent part-time employees accrue sick leave on a prorated basis.

Vacation– (Unless an applicable collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise)

Eligible employees shall be entitled to accrue vacation leave with pay for each year of full-time service as follows:

Initial employment ----------------------------------10 days vacation per year

After three years of continuous service-----—15 days vacation per year

After ten years of continuous service—-------17 days vacation per year

After fifteen years of continuous service--—19 days vacation per year

After twenty years of continuous service-—20 days vacation per year

Permanent part-time employees accrue vacation on a prorated basis.

Mono County Holidays

Most all bargaining groups recognize 13 Holidays as outlined in the Mono County Policies and Procedures and Personal Holidays according to your specific MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) according to your represented group.

“Welcome to Mono County – A great place to live and work!!”

01

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree
• Juris Doctorate
• Required Question