Job details
Salary $16.23 - $48.99 an hour job type full-time
Full job description
Primary location: united states of america-ohio-franklin county-columbus organization: public defender commission classified indicator: unclassified bargaining unit / exempt: exempt schedule: full-time compensation: $16.23-$48.99 unposting date: oct 14, 2021, 10:59:00 pm job function: attorney/legal
Agency contact name: elijah kelly agency contact information: 614-466-5394
Assistant public defender 1 - death penalty department
(21000794) job duties
The office of the ohio public defender is seeking committed and compassionate individuals to fill two assistant public defender 1 (`apd1`) positions in our death penalty departmentThe apd1 position represents indigent death-sentenced clients in all stages of post-trial litigation and executive clemencyPost-trial litigation may include direct appeal, post-conviction, and federal habeas corpus litigationThe death penalty department emphasizes a client-centered, team approach to representation, and an apd1 will most often be working with a team of attorneys, mitigation specialists, fact investigators, and core administrative staff.
A successful apd1 will:
Have a strong commitment to indigent defense, and have the capacity and compassion to work with clients facing the ultimate penalty;
Possess strong analytical and reasoning skills, and be an effective and persuasive communicator – both written and verbal;
Be able to work collaboratively as a member of a defense team, including accepting and providing constructive feedback;
Continually engage in professional development, focusing on advancements in the law, forensics, psychology, and other related fields;
Be able to think creatively to identify, develop, and litigate (with appropriate supervision and support) issues and theories during each stage of the proceedings, often with an emphasis on changing the narrative from the case presented at trial; and
Maintain appropriate respect and professionalism with our clients, their families and supporters, victims’ and their families, witnesses, former jurors, attorneys, judges and courtroom staff, and others we encounter as we advocate for our clients.
The position currently offers you the opportunity to work from home for a portion of time, so a successful candidate will be self-motivated and comfortable communicating via microsoft teams or other conferencing software.
The essential job duties include but are not limited to the following:
Reviewing the capital trial record to identify potential errors and avenues for additional investigation;
Investigating the facts of the underlying offense(s), the circumstances of the criminal trial and sentencing proceedings, the client’s personal and family history, and other relevant factors that have impacted the client’s developmentThis often includes investigating the impact of systemic racism, mass incarceration, childhood trauma, poverty, mental and physical illnesses, and other cultural and sociological experiences;
Identifying and collaborating with experts in relevant fields, including capital defense (jury selection, trial practice, mitigation investigation, etc.), forensics, mental health, trauma, and other specialized areas of expertise as needed to fully investigate, prepare and present the client’s case;
Researching, briefing and arguing cases on direct appeal to the ohio supreme court;
Preparing and litigating post-conviction petitions, including discovery requests, evidentiary hearings, and appellate briefing and arguments;
Preparing and litigating habeas petitions, including discovery requests, evidentiary hearings, and appellate briefing and arguments; and
Advocating for executive clemency, including developing a compelling narrative case, working with supporters from various organizations, engaging in effective, strategic communication, and supporting the client throughout the difficult and complex process.
The typical starting salary for this position is $53,850; the salary and position offered will be commensurate with additional relevant years of experience and practice.
**in your application, please attach a cover letter explaining your interest in capital defense work and a writing sampleApplications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.**
About the office of the ohio public defender
The opd is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Opd mission: advocatingFightingHelping.
Opd vision: a fair justice system.
Opd values: compassionDignityEquityIntegrityServiceCommunity.
Opd commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion: our commitment to inclusion is inseparable from our commitment to a fair justice systemWe strive to ensure inclusive spaces and services for our staff, our clients, and ohio’s diverse communitiesWe are committed to building a work environment where all our team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the publicWe can best meet our public defense mission through a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace, where employees thrive, our mission is accomplished, and ohioans are served#teamopd is grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion as we work together to pursue fairness and justice for all people.
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Benefits of joining the state of ohio team:
Extensive health benefits for all full- and part-time permanent employees
Guaranteed 10 paid state holidays every year and paid leave accrues each pay period
At least a 14 percent employer contribution to your opers pension plan
Employee tuition reimbursement programs
Life insurance coverage for all permanent employees
See more at totalrewards.ohio.gov
The office of the ohio public defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilitiesIf reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact tamra meister, ada coordinator, at 614-466-5394 or hcm@opd.ohio.gov.
Qualifications
Licensed to practice law in state of ohio pursuant to section 4705.01 of revised code.
Note: temporary certification for practice in legal services, public defender, and law school programs may be accepted in lieu of license to practice law in state of ohio pursuant to govBar rIx of the supreme court of ohio.
Knowledge of criminal law; judicial system & process in ohio; supervision; policies & procedures of ohio public defender commission (e.g., standards promulgated*; human relations; general management*; legal counseling; interviewing; public relationsAbility to deal with many variables & determine specific action; prepare &/or review pleadings, briefs, motions & memoranda; gather collate & classify information about data, people or things; handle complex legal issues involving significant risks, personal pressure & unusual attention to detail; establish good rapport with clients & their families &/or work cooperatively with county public defenders & members of private bar; code items from one symbolic form to another; calculate fractions, decimals & percentages.
(*)developed after employment.
The typical starting salary for this position is $53,850; the salary and position offered will be commensurate with additional relevant years of experience and practice.
Candidates awaiting july 2021 bar exam results are eligible to apply.
This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the state public defenderThis position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the state public defender and will have an unclassified status per ohio revised code 124.11 (a) (9).
Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicantIn addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.
Unusual working conditions requires visits to department of rehabilitation and correction (drc) facilitiesRequires travel, to include overnight stay.
The demands of representing trial-level and post-trial appellate clients do not fit neatly into a predictable daily or weekly work scheduleEmployees must log 80 hours per two-week pay periodWhen required to work more than 80 hours in any pay period (e.g., when a client’s case entails lengthy work in preparation for a trial, as case goes to trial, or extensive preparation is necessary for a post-conviction proceeding) compensatory time is accrued.
Background check information
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background checkCriminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a positionAn individual assessment of an applicant`s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointmentAn applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.
