Public Defender 3 - Nevada

About the role

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as a Public Defender 3 in our Nevada office located in Story County, Iowa.

What You’ll Do

As a Public Defender attorney in this position, you will

Assists a supervisor by performing professional legal work related to the representation of indigent clients and immigration consequences in cases where the local Public Defender has been appointed as counsel and provides training, guidance, and direction to staff assigned in local Public Defender offices; performs related work as required.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the investigation and preparation of a defense for adult offenders and immigration consequences in cases to obtain facts in determining the merits of cases and appropriate courses of action.
• Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, interrogations, supporting affidavits, letters, opinions, and briefs.
• Advocates the most complex cases at every stage of the criminal justice system through resolution in the pre-trial process, plea bargaining process, trial, verdict, and sentencing by: providing legal counsel and advice; interviewing and selecting appropriate witnesses, preparing them to give testimony; and conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses.
• Negotiates plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys or other interested parties.
• Trains less-experienced Public Defenders and Public Defender Interns in the principles of trial advocacy and pleading, trial and criminal procedures, the concept of legal precedence, and the rules of evidence as they apply to legal advocacy.

What We Offer

When you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).

For additional information on benefits

This is a non-merit position with the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing:

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.