Assigned Counsel and Expert Coordinator (Public Defender III)

Position Description

Assigned Counsel & Expert Coordinator (Public Defender III)

BIDS Administrative Office, Topeka, KS

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS) is accepting applications for the position of Assigned Counsel & Expert Coordinator (Public Defender III) in the BIDS Administrative Office in Topeka, Kansas. The Assigned Counsel and Expert Coordinator (ACEC) is responsible for building and maintaining a successful Assigned Counsel Program and roster of experts in Kansas. The ACEC will make and foster relationships between BIDS, attorneys in private practice, experts and courts throughout the state.

The Mission

The Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, through its regional public defender offices and assigned counsel program, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.

The BIDS Administration Office supports the work of all BIDS employees and assigned and contract counsel. We are looking for a dynamic, client-centered attorney who is passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to fundamentally rebuild our system and transform our offices into a models of collaborative public defense practice.

Responsibilities

The Assigned Counsel and Expert Coordinator must maintain accurate and up-to-date information about attorneys, experts and jurisdictions.

For attorneys and experts this includes, but is not limited to: current contact information, jurisdictions served, case level eligibility pursuant to K.A.R. 105-3-2, license status and ability to accept new cases as applicable.

For jurisdictions this includes, but is not limited to: the court’s current panel of appointment attorneys, court days for each judge, availability of remote appearances in court or remote jail visitation, diversion standards, availability of specialty courts, any unique aspects of local practice, and contact information for relevant county attorneys, jails and court personnel.

For experts, this includes their rate, current contact information, jurisdictions served, detailed information regarding expertise, references, a list of BIDS cases where the expert has previously performed work and the attorneys they have previously worked with on those cases, a list of current active licenses or other professional organization memberships, and availability for travel.

Essential Job Functions

• Vet and contact attorneys and experts that may or may not already have a working relationship with BIDS
• Respond to requests from judges or attorneys in need of help matching counsel to indigent cases or locating experts to work on cases for indigent clients.
• Take proactive steps to expand the number of private attorneys, experts, and investigators that work with BIDS
• Provide information to those attorneys, experts, and investigators, regarding BIDS policies, procedures, and expectations as required.
• Serve as a liaison between the assigned counsel panel attorneys and the BIDS Training Division.
  
  

The Assigned Counsel and Expert Coordinator is part of the SBIDS Administrative Office’s Legal Division and reports directly to Chief Legal Counsel. The position of Assigned Counsel and Expert Coordinator requires a passionate, persuasive and organized attorney that works equally well with other attorneys and legal staff with or without direct supervision. In addition to their core duties above, the Assigned Counsel and Expert Coordinator will assist Chief Legal Counsel with the general work of the Legal Division including, but not limited to: negotiating, drafting and reviewing contracts, reviewing current policies, procedures and relevant law, researching and responding to legal questions, analysis of proposed or recently enacted legislation, and maintaining a positive and productive relationship with experts and assigned counsel. Other tasks within the Legal Division’s responsibility will be assigned as needed. This position will require occasional travel.

Salary And Benefits

Compensation for this position ranges from $72,500.00 - $83,624.00. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications. We are happy to discuss salary expectations with interested applicants.

The State of Kansas offers a comprehensive employment benefits package for benefits-eligible staff, which includes:

• Comprehensive medical coverage is available through the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) and is effective on the first day of employment. Available coverage includes medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision benefits, as well as access to tax-advantage accounts such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
• SEHP members and their covered dependents have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to benefits eligible staff, their family members living in the same household, or dependent children. The EAP provides information, short-term counseling, advice, and referrals from licensed professionals
• KPERS mandatory retirement plan and optional KPERS 457 plan (deferred compensation)
• Sick & vacation leave
• Work-life balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury duty leave, and funeral leave
• Ten paid state holidays
• Discretionary Day (Subject to annual approval of Governor)
• Fitness centers in select locations
• Employee discounts through the STAR Program: https://oitsapps.ks.gov/da/ops/star/
  
  

Please note that an offer of employment is contingent upon the fulfillment of the following pre-employment conditions:

• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas, or
  
  

successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.

• Governor’s salary approval.
  
  

Advertised by Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.