Assistant Public Defender

Join Our Team at Calhoun County Government!
At Calhoun County, you’ll find more than just a job, you’ll find purpose. Our employees make a meaningful impact every day by serving our community. Whether you’re supporting essential services, improving local systems, or helping residents thrive, your work contributes to something bigger. We’re proud to foster a collaborative, supportive workplace where people are valued for their ideas and dedication to public service. If you’re looking for a career that makes a difference, we invite you to explore opportunities with Calhoun County Government.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Public Defender, provides indigent defense attorney services for Calhoun County.   

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provides indigent defense services through an active caseload. Meets with client(s), reviews charging documents, police reports, and other discovery or evidence provided by the Prosecution and makes recommendations for defense.
2. Researches and prepares criminal cases for trial, motion, sentencing, and other proceedings, including research of applicable law, interviewing witnesses, investigating claims, and developing trail strategies.
3. Appears in court for arraignments, motions, trials, sentencing, and other related proceedings.
4. Determines if additional fact investigation is necessary, including the identification, consultation, and hiring of applicable experts as approved by the Public Defender or designee.
5. Prepares briefs, legal documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
6. Attempts to negotiate and resolve pending cases without a trial where appropriate.
7. Actively participates in programs designed to address the underlying causes and risk factors that leas to involvement in the criminal justice system. These programs may be provided through treatments courts, legal, or civic organizations.
8. Maintains professional knowledge of criminal law and participates in training programs.
9. Provides support, consultation, and training for less experience attorneys as needed or directed.
10. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate from accredited law school. Membership in good standing with the State of Bar Michigan. Third year law students and recent graduates are also encouraged to apply. Continued employment will ultimately be contingent on successful admission to the Michigan State Bar.
• Computer skill necessary to effectively utilize word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications. Ability to use the Internet and e-mail. 
  Possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to work with a diverse group of county personnel and citizens.
• The ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, including to read and interpret documents, prepare reports and correspondence, and to present information and respond to questions.
• Reasoning skills needed to define and solve problems, collect fata, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Mental ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects requiring concentration and attention to detail with frequent disruptions. 
  Professionalism is an absolute necessity, along with the ability to appropriately handle both confidential information and sensitive situations.

Supervisory Responsibilities                      

• None

Physical Demands

• Physical ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry items weighting up to ten pounds.
• Physical ability to talk, hear, and communicate verbally with others.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally required to perform tasks involving repetitive movement, bending, stooping, kneeling and/or climbing.  
• Occasionally required to sit for extended periods of time.

Working Conditions

Hybrid Work Classification:  Hybrid Eligible
Flexible Classification:  Flexible Schedule Eligible

• Normal office environment with occasional discomfort due to heat, dust, and noise
• Extended workdays (beyond eight hours/day and weekends) are occasionally required.
• On-call availability to handle work problems, attend meetings, handle emergencies/crisis situations, etc. may be required.
• Occasional travel between County locations is required. Out of County travel is occasionally required for training purposes.  

Why You’ll Love Working Here
Calhoun County Government offers benefits designed to support your wellbeing at work and beyond. Our employees enjoy competitive pay, health and retirement plans, generous time off, and opportunities for professional growth. Benefits for 40 hours/week positions are highlighted below:

• Paid Time Off: 6.47 hours per pay period (hourly) or 4.2 weeks annually (salaried)
• Holidays: Enjoy 14 paid holidays per year
• Flexibility: Hybrid and flexible scheduling for eligible positions
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to 7% County match
• Near-Site Clinic: Convenient preventative and primary care with on-site medications
• Education: Up to $3,000 annually in tuition reimbursement

Learn more about our benefits at www.calhouncountymi.gov/employee_benefits
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