Chief Criminal Deputy - Public Defender

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE

The Chief Criminal Deputy Public Defender defends indigent adults and juveniles in major and complex criminal cases as well as supervises and trains Deputy Public Defenders and other legal support staff. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Competently defends clients in complex or serious criminal cases at the trial and appellate level.  
• Conducts legal research and analyses, interprets, and applies statutes, regulations, court decisions, and other legal authorities in complex or unique areas of law to use in preparing legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
• Negotiates with the prosecution and other relevant stakeholders regarding the disposition of cases. 
• Assists in the management, training, and monitoring of the performance of assigned staff.
• Responsible for recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and disciplining assigned staff. 
• Maintains accurate records and files. 
• Completes required Continuing Legal Education (CLE).
• Competently uses standard office equipment, case management software, and legal research databases. 
• Represents clients in a professional and competent manner.
• Represents the Department with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation

• Juris Doctorate required
• Any combination of education and experience that would likely produce the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Member of the State Bar of Nevada or be eligible to practice law under the Rural Practice Provision of the Nevada Supreme Court rules
• Must maintain a valid Nevada driver's license
• Member of the State Bar of Nevada or be eligible to practice law under the Rural Practice   
  Provision of the Nevada Supreme Court Rules

An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Professional Ethics in the Practice of Law and Nevada Indigent Performance Standards.
• Thorough knowledge of criminal and appellate procedures, rules of evidence, applicable laws, codes, regulations, rules, and case law.
• Understanding of the powers, limitations, and authority of the Office of the Public Defender. 
• Techniques for working with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. 
• Familiarity with secondary trauma and its effects on employees as well as clientele. 
• Working knowledge of business correspondence formats, record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.
• Working knowledge of personal computer and case management software. 

Skills 

• Supervising, assigning, directing, and motivating employees and planning their work assignments effectively. 
• Creating a fair, unbiased, cooperative work atmosphere.
• Negotiating as a method of securing support, concurrence, acceptance, or compliance.
• Presenting information and arguments in a persuasive and convincing manner.
• Writing clear, concise, and effective reports and legal documents.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Understanding and carrying out complex written and oral communications.
• Using the tools and equipment listed below.

Abilities

• Analyzing and navigating complex legal issues.
• Establishing a good working rapport with clients.
• Dealing appropriately with exposure to the consequences of acts of violence perpetrated against others.
• Complying with Elko County policies and departmental procedures.
• Managing multiple deadlines and competing demands successfully.
• Executing job duties under highly stressful circumstances.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and considerable independent judgment to manage relationships and situations, whether established guidelines exist.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Solving practical problems and dealing with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, city, county, state, and federal officials, and the public as needed. Handling problems courteously and tactfully.

An employee in this position must meet the following physical requirements upon application:

• Work is performed in an office or courtroom setting. 
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand or walk, frequently for extended periods of time.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be exposed to angry, upset or abusive individuals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. 
• Environment is generally clean with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, noise or odors. 
• Tools and equipment used include personal computer, printer, scanner, telephone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, postage machine and other associated office equipment. 
• Incumbent will be asked to travel in a passenger vehicle.

Elko County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

In compliance with applicable laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations.

Salary : $112,611 - $163,280