Assistant Public Defender (Attorney)

Job Description:

Assistant Public Defender (Attorney)

Description

About us

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.
The 16th Circuit Public Defender Office provides legal representation qualifying individuals charged with criminal offenses in York and Union County, S.C.

About our opportunity

We invite you to apply to join our team as a full-time (exempt) Assistant Public Defender within the 16th Circuit Public Defender Office. The purpose of this position is to prepare and defend cases in all applicable County Courts and to perform related professional and administrative work as required.

Compensation: Compensation is determined based on experience and education using a tier system.

Location: York County Office and Union County Office
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; occasional evenings and weekends depending on operational needs.

Our Total Compensation Package:

• Compensation - competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains and manages individual caseloads in a timely and effective manner.
• Defends cases in all applicable County, Magistrate, and/or Municipal Courts.
• Prepares cases for defense, performing such duties as reviewing incident reports and evidence, evaluating cases and determining best case strategies; conducting preliminary hearings; interviewing witnesses, maintaining confidential communication with clients, researching legal issues affecting cases; applying the law to facts of a criminal case; advocating for an appropriate sentence; writing legal briefs, motions, and orders; preparing expert witnesses for testimony; trials, and any other duties necessary to provide a full and complete defense of a client.
• Presents and argues prepared cases in court as assigned, which requires the ability to drive to County courthouses.
• Conducts various other hearings, including those for juvenile detention, disposition and probation revocation; mental health, restitution, bond estreatment, hearings, and any other hearings necessary for a full and complete defense of a client.
• Notifies defendants and bondsmen of court appearances.
• Receives and responds to difficult and sensitive client or public inquiries, concerns and complaints.
• Performs general administrative/clerical work as required, including but not limited to copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, assembling materials, answering the telephone, responding to correspondence, and reviewing mail and literature.
• Operates a computer and various types of word processing, database, imaging and messaging software; operates basic office equipment.
• Keeps abreast of all new criminal legislation and case law which affects York County cases.
• Attends professional conferences, training, seminars, workshops, etc., as necessary to maintain job knowledge and skills.
• Frequently works schedules exceeding 40 hours per week and/or five days per week.
• Performs related work as assigned.

About you

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate Degree.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Valid state driver’s license.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina and be a current member of the SC Bar Association.

Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer

Physical Demands: Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:
York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses:
May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Essential Safety Functions:
It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.
Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained.

Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.

Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation.Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits seriesprovides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)

Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.

Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous ServiceMonthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years$20.00
15-19 Years$25.00
20-24 Years$30.00
25-29 Years$35.00
30-34 Years$40.00
35-39 Years$45.00
40+ Years$50.00

Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.

Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve months period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.

Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.

Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January - December:3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January:New Year’s Day andMartin Luther King Day
May:Memorial Day
June:Juneteenth Day
July:Independence Day
September:Labor Day
November:Veteran’s Day,Thanksgiving Day, andFriday after Thanksgiving
December:Christmas Eve,Christmas Day

Training:
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.

Closing Date/Time: 12/31/2024 5:00 PM Eastern

Salary:

See Position Description