PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21007717

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Accepting, researching, and preparing each case efficiently and expeditiously.
• Advising and counseling each client regarding plea offers, client’s rights and options, strategies, sentencing, appellate rights, etc.
• Establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with each client, family, witness, and court personnel.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with clients and their families, witnesses, and court personnel.
• Involving investigators, interns and other support staff appropriately.
• Soliciting assistance from experts appropriate to the case.
• Demonstrating maturity and a professional demeanor at all times.
• Exercising sound judgment to achieve desired results.
• Holding emergency assignments when needed.
• Attending and participating in training seminars, division meetings, and staffing sessions.
• Abiding by all Public Defender policies and procedures outlined in manual and performing other related work as required.

Ability to

• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and staff.
• Use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Exhibit sound judgment and good listening skills.
• Handle matters with integrity and confidentiality.
• Plan and prepare reports, correspondence, and charts in a variety of formats.
• Use personal computers and general office equipment.
• Be extremely organized, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain an effective filing system.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously including long- and short-range projects.
• Be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need.
• Travel to various locations throughout the circuit for assignments and training.
• Effectively utilize Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Educational and/or Experience Requirements

• Juris Doctorate

Languages

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and transcripts.

Reasoning Ability

• Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Florida Driver’s license, Florida Bar License Required

Work Environment

• The noise level for this position is moderate.

Equipment Utilized

• Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, cell phones

Benefits

• Access to the Florida Retirement System
• Health/Dental/Vision/Life insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition waiver
• Employee Assistance Program

Schedule

• Flexible; Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm

Ability to Commute/Relocate

• Fort Myers, FL 33901
• Punta Gorda, FL 33950
• LaBelle, FL 33935
• Naples, FL 34112