Sr. 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.

Summary

Under the general direction of the Deputy Public Defender, provides indigent defense services for Calhoun County. This is an experienced attorney position that regularly handles high severity and statutory life offense cases.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides indigent defense services through a felony caseload including defendants charged with high severity and statutory life offenses.
2. Serves as co-counsel on trials by other staff or contract attorneys.
3. Researches and prepares criminal cases for trial, motion, sentencing, and other proceedings, including research of applicable law, interviewing witnesses, investigating claims, and developing trial strategies.
4. Appears in court for arraignments, motions, trials, sentencing, and other related proceedings.
5. Determines if additional investigation is necessary, including the identification, consultation, and hiring of applicable experts and investigators.
6. Prepares briefs, legal documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
7. Participates in the office’s holistic approach to representing clients.
8. Maintains the highest level of professional knowledge and expertise in criminal defense practice.
9. Participates in professional organizations, conferences and training programs both locally, throughout the state and nationally.
10. Provides support, mentoring, consultation, and training for less experienced attorneys in and outside the office.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. Membership in good standing with the State of Bar Michigan.
• Passion for criminal defense work and representing indigent clients.
• Significant trial experience handling complex and statutory life offence cases.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively work with a diverse group of county personnel and citizens.
• Outstanding oral and written communication.
• Strong interest in mentoring and training less experienced attorneys.
• The highest professional integrity and standards for the practice of law.
• Computer skills necessary to effectively utilize word processing, case management software, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications.
• Possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license.

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.
• Travel between county locations or out of county may be required. Out of county travel will occasionally be required 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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