Staff Attorney

The Idaho State Public Defender (SPD) is hiring for a Staff Attorney to assist the agency with legal research and litigation support. The primary purpose of the Staff Attorney is to support the agency’s core goal – providing zealous holistic representation – by working with the SPD administration and public defenders across the state to research, analyze, and provide litigation support for issues impacting SPD clients.

This is a non-classified position that reports to the Deputy Director. Full time (40 hours). The SPD values its employees and offers meaningful work that has a direct impact on citizens across the state. Additionally, the SPD is a qualifying employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Salary Range: $102,000-122,000 annual DOE.

Example of Duties

• Working with the SPD administration to identify and implement statewide litigation strategies;
• Assisting SPD attorneys with legal research and briefing of complex indigent defense issues;
• Conducting legal research and analysis at the request of the SPD administration;
• Providing research and analysis on legal issues involving indigent defense;
• Acting as a resource on the interpretation of existing or proposed laws and rules that could impact the agency and/indigent defense;
• Maintaining a current knowledge of legal issues of importance to the agency and keeping current on new and emerging laws, policy developments, and best practices related to indigent defense;
• Regularly updating SPD staff and contract attorneys on developments in indigent defense and other relevant issues;
• Acting as a resource expert for SPD staff and SPD contract attorneys including compiling and maintaining lists of various defense experts, such as mitigation specialists, psychologists, and investigators;
• Working with the SPD administration to develop and manage long-term research and resource strategies;
• Working with the District Public Defenders, SPD attorneys and contract attorneys to identify appropriate experts and other resources for specific cases;
• Reviewing funding requests submitted for reasonableness, accuracy, and compliance with SPD policies;
• Negotiating with experts on contract rates and executing service agreements;
• Maintaining a statewide brief bank;
• Appearing in court to litigate issues impacting the SPD as needed;
• Defending indigent people, including adults in criminal cases, juveniles in delinquency cases and parents and children in child protection cases as agency needs require;
• Representing misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, sentencing, dispositions, probation violations and other proceedings as needed;
• Working in the Case Management System (CMS) to document case work and timekeeping in accordance with SPD policy;
• Ensuring effective representation and compliance with SPD policies and procedures and the Idaho State Bar Rules of Professional Conduct;
• Availability during evenings and weekends for emergency issues; and]
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be licensed to practice law in Idaho or eligible for admission to the Idaho State Bar at the time of hiring.
• Must have at least 2 years of legal or judicial clerkship experience.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Prior experience with at-risk populations, and a demonstrated ability to relate effectively to a diverse clientele and staff, are preferred.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the employee:

• Sits 70% to 95% of a workday.
• Lifts, carries, pushes, or pulls items up to 25 pounds.
• Uses repetitive motions such as hand-wrist / fingering movements and grasping or reaching 25% to 90% of a workday.
• Has normal (or corrected to within normal range) dexterity, tactile feeling, speaking, hearing, and seeing.
• Drive a motor vehicle.
• Talking and listening 30% to 75% of the workday.
• Reading comprehension 40% to 90% of the workday.

Behavior Standards

• Maintain consistent and reliable performance.
• Work in a fast-paced, high stress work environment with multiple conflicting demands.
• Communicate respectfully and collaboratively with co-workers.
• Protect confidential client information.

BENEFITS

The State of Idaho has one of the Nation’s best state retirement systems (PERSI) that offers a lifetime benefit. This position is PERSI Retirement eligible, and the duties correspond to General Member - which means a mandatory employee contribution of 7.18%, while the employer contributes at a higher rate of 11.96%.

Other Excellent Benefits

• Excellent low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance – employee coverage for PPO $70.74/month for medical and vision and $12.08/month for dental.
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual will begin as soon as you start.
• Paid parental leave.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Multiple retirement savings plans, including optional 401K and Deferred Compensation plan.
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Wellness Programs.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified applicants who would like to apply for this position must submit the following: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, 3) two references, and a 4) a writing sample. Application materials should be submitted through the Careers with the State of Idaho website at https://statecareers.idaho.gov/, rather than being submitted directly to the agency.

For inquiries on this position or technical assistance with your application, please contact Mariette Barcinas at Mariette.Barcinas@spd.idaho.gov.

EEO/ADA/VETERAN

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations. *Benefits may not be applicable for temporary or seasonal positions.

*Applications will be accepted through December 12, 2025 at 4:59 PM MST.