Assistant Public Defender

Closing Date: 22nd August, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
Department: Public Defender

Sub-Department: N/A

Pay Grade: 113, 116, 117, 118, or 120 (depending on relevant years of work experience and education)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full Time

Reports to: Deputy Public Defender

Supervises: N/A

Job Code: PD3017

Salary Ranges (depending on relevant years of work experience and education):

• Assistant Public Defender I: $62,790.00-$78,448.50
• Assistant Public Defender II: $74,763.00-$93,366.00
• Assistant Public Defender III: $79,267.50-$99,001.50
• Senior Assistant Public Defender I: $84,006.00-$104,910.00
• Senior Assistant Public Defender II: $94,399.50-$117,877.50

Job Summary:
To provide legal representation to indigent individuals charged with a variety of criminal offenses.

Essential Job Functions:

• Meet and maintain professional licensing requirements.
• Abide by the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
• Represent clients who are facing potential incarceration, including, but not limited to, adult criminal cases, juvenile criminal cases, indirect criminal contempt, county and state probation and parole violations.
• Represent clients in criminal court matters and counsel clients on collateral consequences of said criminal matters.
• Draft and file legal documents, including memoranda and briefs, both at the trial court and state appellate court levels.
• Maintain knowledge of current legal opinions and research techniques.
• Attend staffing and training sessions as required.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Minimum Requirements to Perform the Work:
Education:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar.

Work Experience (depending on relevant years of work experience and education):

• Assistant Public Defender I: Entry level attorney with no experience (i.e., just graduated from law school).
• Assistant Public Defender II: Attorney with 1-2 years of relevant experience; able to handle misdemeanor and minor felony cases without supervision.
• Assistant Public Defender III: Attorney with 3-4 years of relevant experience; able to handle serious felony cases, without supervision
• Senior Assistant Public Defender I: Attorney with 5-6 years of relevant experience; must lead a specialized program area and actively working towards becoming death penalty qualified
• Senior Assistant Public Defender II: Attorney with 7+ years of relevant experience; must lead a specialized program area and must be actively working towards becoming death penalty qualified

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