Assistant Public Defender, Juvenile Division

Position DescriptionDuties and Responsibilities:Court Function: Attend all scheduled court activities with client and family/guardian, including detention hearings, non-issue court settings, trials and psychosocial evaluations.Client Contact (in Custody): Visit client in the Juvenile Detention Center or other secure holding facility to gather case information, give case updates, or to assess general well-being of client.Evidentiary Function: Seek all necessary evidence related to your client's case(s) through use of subpoenas, open records request, telephone calls/letter writing, investigator requests, and discovery requests of the state.Communication with Client & Family/Guardian: Keep client and family/guardian informed of all aspects of case outside of the regular court activities.Legal Research: Obtain answers or solutions to client case issues through office research tools, use of appellate division, or seeking answers by soliciting outside agencies or organizations.Holistic Approach: Assist client and family/guardian with issues that arise outside the normal course of legal representation, such as housing, education, medical, immigration and mental health.Case Review: Assist other members of the Juvenile Division with help with trial and non-trial cases, either with ideas to resolve case issues or physically standing in for other division members unable to attend court or other case-related activitiesAdministerial Duties: Maintain client case files, provide new and closed case information to proper staff, make concurrent data entries into office data system, and organize all other materials germane to attorney caseload.Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employerhttps://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspxIf you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.RequirementsEducation and Licensure:* A Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent.* Current license to practice law with the State Bar of Texas.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Must be able to work in an open office environment and assist attorneys in other divisions within the PDO if requested.Effective organizational and time management skills.Manages a demanding caseload of cases assigned from juvenile courts.Proficient written and oral communication skills and trial skills.NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.Preferences* Five (5) years' experience as a criminal defense attorney.* Juvenile Law experience.* Bilingual in English/Spanish.General InformationPosition Type and Typical Hours of Work:* Regular Full-time* Monday - Friday | 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.* Sometimes requires evening and weekend hours.Salary:* Depends on Qualifications* Based on 26 pay periodsEmployment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITSHarris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:Health & Wellness BenefitsMedical CoverageDental CoverageVision CoverageWellness PlanLife InsuranceLong-Term Disability (LTD) InsuranceEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Healthcare Flexible Spending AccountDependent Care Flexible Spending AccountPaid Time Off (PTO)Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)Eleven (11) County-observed holidaysOne (1) floating holiday per yearPaid Parental Leave*Sick LeaveRetirement Savings Benefit* 457 Deferred Compensation PlanThe following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:Professional learning & development opportunitiesRetirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)Flexible work schedule*METRO RideSponsor Program*Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:www.benefitsathctx.com01Do you have a Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent?* Yes* No02Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.03Are you currently licensed to practice law within the State Bar of Texas?* Yes* No04Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience as a criminal defense attorney? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)Less than five (5) yearsFive (5) years but less than six (6) yearsSix (6) years but less than seven (7) yearsSeven (7) years or moreI do not have this experience05Please provide details about your verifiable experience as a criminal defense attorney. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.06Do you have Juvenile Law experience?* Yes* No07Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? If yes, do you consider yourself fluent?Yes, I am fluent in both of these languagesNo, I am fluent in only one of these languagesNo, I am not fluent in either one of these languagesRequired QuestionEmployer Harris CountyAddress 1111 Fannin StSte. 600Houston, Texas, 77002Phone 713-274-5445Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx