JUVENILE ATTNY: DISTRICT XI (FREDERICK & WASHINGTON COUNTIES) (ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER Series)

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks a zealous and\r\ndedicated litigator to represent young people in both delinquency and criminal\r\nmatters in our District XI office which serves our Frederick and Washington\r\nCounty offices. We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and\r\nstrongly encourage people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to\r\napply.\r\n�\r\nThe District XI office is a busy suburban public defender’s office with\r\n30+ employees providing client-centered representation to individuals charged\r\nwith misdemeanors and felonies in Frederick and Washington Counties. MOPD’s\r\nvision is for Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. We are committed to our\r\ncore values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, and\r\ntenacious advocacy, and remain united as a team in achieving our mission. At\r\nMOPD we use our legal education and experience to fight for justice and\r\nfairness, no matter what and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of human\r\nsuffering. Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and\r\nperspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up against prejudice,\r\nsystemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy. Learn more about\r\nour mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.\r\n

GRADE

ASTD22, ASTD21, ASTD20\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

FREDERICK AND WASHINGTON\r\nCOUNTIES\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION\r\n�\r\nMOPD Juvenile Defenders provide consistent client-centered representation\r\nto their clients from their first court appearance through their entire case.\r\nThis vertical representation model leads to deep and lasting client\r\nrelationships and continuity of representation across years and cases. Attorneys\r\nwork in conjunction with social workers and core staff in a team-oriented environment.\r\nAttorneys must be able to balance a client-centered approach to representation\r\nwith advocacy to address systemic inequity and the collateral consequences that\r\nlead to deeper system involvement. This position will be located at 100 W.\r\nPatrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. The position requires travel\r\nthroughout Frederick and Washington County as well as familiarity with the\r\nchallenges and joys working with young people in a major American city.\r\n\r\n\r\nPRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES\r\n�\r\n● Represent youth at arraignment, adjudication, disposition, and\r\npost-disposition hearings.\r\n● Represent clients in administrative matters related to conditions of\r\nconfinement and access to treatment.\r\n● Work to identify and advocate for solutions to systemic issues.\r\n● Work collaboratively with social workers and core staff to assist\r\nclients and their families in matters related to housing, education, school\r\ndiscipline, mental health, and other collateral matters that contribute to\r\ndeepening system involvement.\r\n● Investigate, develop, and litigate novel and cutting-edge\r\nConstitutional arguments in order to advance and expand the rights of young\r\npeople in contact with the juvenile justice system.\r\n● Competently and resourcefully prepare for and manage an active\r\ncaseload.\r\n● Effectively, proactively, and compassionately communicate with clients,\r\nfamily members, team members, colleagues, community resources, and service\r\nproviders to ensure optimal outcomes and resolve challenges in an open,\r\nconstructive, and professional manner.\r\n● Continuously seek professional and personal development through\r\ntraining, CLEs, and trial skills courses.\r\n●\r\nOther duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

CORE COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS\r\n�\r\n● Demonstrated commitment to zealous and comprehensive defense practice,\r\nincluding the ability to represent clients in juvenile, criminal, and administrative\r\nhearings.\r\n● Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.\r\n● Knowledge, training, and experience related to adolescent development,\r\nneuroscience, education, mental health treatment, and best practices for\r\njuvenile rehabilitation.\r\n● Ability to communicate effectively with people of\r\ndifferent backgrounds and lived experiences. Proven expertise in communicating\r\nwith children and adolescents is preferred.\r\n● Ability to work in a fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.\r\n● Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary\r\nto handle a high caseload.\r\n● Criminal trial and/or experience representing juveniles preferred.\r\n● Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of\r\nanother State by start date.\r\n�\r\n\r\n\r\nAttorneys barred in another state must become members of\r\nthe Maryland Bar within 18 months of the start date.\r\n\r\n\r\n

BENEFITS

SALARY\r\n�\r\nSalary is dependent on experience and the State of Maryland salary rules\r\nwill apply to any offer made. This would be a lateral transfer for MOPD\r\nattorneys.\r\n�\r\nAssistant Public Defender I: starting at $88,999.00 (Grade 20: Step 6)\r\nAssistant Public Defender II: starting at $98,840.00 (Grade 21: Step 8)\r\nAssistant Public Defender III- starting at $109,794.00 (Grade 22: Step\r\n10)\r\n�\r\nBENEFITS\r\n�\r\nThe Maryland Office of the Public Defender offers a generous benefits\r\npackage that includes excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance. Benefits\r\nalso include retirement savings, life insurance, and the option to participate\r\nin supplemental retirement options. MOPD Employees receive 6 days of personal\r\nleave, 15 days of sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual leave each calendar\r\nyear in addition to paid holidays, and parental leave.\r\n�\r\nFor more details and a full list of benefits as an employee with the\r\nMaryland Office of the Public\r\nDefender click\r\nhere.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY\r\n�\r\nIf you wish to be considered, please click here to fill out the\r\napplication and submit the following items in one PDF attachment through the\r\nResume tab of the Maryland State Government Job Openings Page: (1) current\r\nresume, (2) cover letter, (3) list of four professional references, (4) writing\r\nsample, and (5) transcript (if graduated from law school within the past 3\r\nyears).\r\n�\r\nIncomplete applications will not be considered.\r\n�\r\nAssistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in\r\nthe private practice of law while in this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure\r\nArt., Section 16-203(d)(2).\r\n�\r\nAs a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is\r\nan affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the\r\nfull inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color,\r\nreligion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender\r\nidentity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.\r\n�\r\nAll applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and\r\npossess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment.\r\nApplicants must be able to work in various positions and travel to various\r\ncourtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further\r\ncommitted to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for\r\nindividuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities\r\nby modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work\r\nenvironment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or\r\nemployee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position\r\nthey desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or\r\nto enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other\r\nsimilarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation\r\nimposes an undue hardship.\r\n�\r\nApplicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.\r\nApplicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public\r\ntransportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda\r\nJackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or\r\ntawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n