Senior Assistant Public Defender (Public Defender II)

Position Description

Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services

Open Position – Call for Applicants

Kansas City, KS

Senior Assistant Public Defender (Public Defender II)

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Senior Assistant Public Defender (PD II) in the Twenty-Ninth Judicial District Public Defender Office in Kansas City, Kansas.

The position of Senior Assistant Public Defender is for attorneys with a preferred minimum of 3 years of experience. Attorneys at this level have demonstrated the ability to independently handle all severity level of cases and the most complex matters with supervision.

The Mission

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), through its regional public defender offices like the Twenty-Ninth Judicial District Public Defender Office, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.

The office of the Twenty-Ninth Judicial District Public Defender is looking for dynamic, client-centered advocates who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to rebuild our system and transform the public defender office in Kansas City into a model of collaborative public defense practice.

Responsibilities

Senior Assistant Public Defenders possess a fully advanced litigation skill set, and are proficient at comprehensive motions practice. Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating all severity level cases and regularly are involved in complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues within their office.

Senior Assistant Public Defenders exhibit an outstanding dedication to the Public Defender system and its clients. Senior Assistant Public Defenders are capable of assuming informal leadership roles within their office in any areas of practice, including acting as a support for their office management team, and/or assisting with the professional development of less experienced attorneys and staff.

When called upon by their Chief Public Defender, Senior Assistant Public Defenders must assume additional responsibilities in assisting with the development, guidance of others, and/or filling agency-wide, Administrative Office-defined needs. These attorneys maintain the highest standards of professionalism, inspire others, and take active steps to create a positive, safe, and supportive office culture.

Salary And Benefits

Compensation for this position (Public Defender II) ranges from $70,000.00 - $83,947.00. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications.

The State Of Kansas Employment Benefits Package Includes

• First day of employment comprehensive coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical, prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision. Tax advantage accounts are available and include options such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury leave, and funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program: https://oitsapps.ks.gov/da/ops/star/
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Application Materials Needed

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample
• List of three professional references
• If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, please also include your DD214

Please Be Aware That If An Offer Of Employment Is Made, Actual Employment Is Subject To Two Pre-employment Conditions Which Include

• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
• Governor’s salary approval.