Deputy Capital Defender

Annual Salary Range: $85,000.00 – $135,607.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program (http://oitsapps.ks.gov/da/ops/star/)
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information (https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/benefits)

Position Summary & Responsibilities:
Position Summary:
The Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Capital Public Defender position (PD IV) in the Capital Habeas Defender Office in Kansas City, Kansas.

The position of Deputy Capital Public Defender is reserved for attorneys who hold a formal and designated supervisory position, and who act as part of their office's management team

The Kansas Capital Habeas Office (KCHO) is a specialty office within the Kansas Public Defense system that represents individuals in capital state postconviction proceedings. Our team of highly dedicated attorneys and staff are able to identify inadequacies in the provision of legal assistance to clients charged with capital murder and challenge the fairness of the trial and appellate proceedings which delivered a sentence of death by lethal injection in the case. The office is based in Merriam, Kansas, and it is anticipated that the office will move to Kansas City, Kansas.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Deputy Capital Public Defenders assist with the evaluation of employee performance within their office and perform administrative tasks as assigned by their Chief Capital Public Defender. Deputy Capital Public Defenders assign work to the attorneys and staff, assist in personnel matters, schedule and lead office and project meetings as needed, and conduct trainings when called upon to do so. Deputy Capital Public Defenders assist the Chief Capital Public Defender in addressing office matters and larger criminal justice issues in their jurisdiction.

Deputy Capital Public Defenders represent adults charged with criminal felonies in their local district court jurisdiction who are deemed indigent and unable to afford to hire an attorney. They also carry a slightly reduced caseload to allow for their duties providing active supervision of the other attorneys and support staff in the office, as directed by the Chief Capital Public Defender.

Deputy Capital Defenders are readily and regularly accessible to the employees in the office. Deputy Capital Defenders help to develop a positive office culture and support and implement the directives of the Chief Capital Public Defender and the Executive Director. Deputy Capital Defenders may help the Chief Capital Public Defender write objective and comprehensive employee evaluations, recognize and answer ethical questions, and make client-conflict determinations, among other office management duties. Deputy Capital Public Defenders may also serve as a liaison between the District Court, the County or District Attorney Office, community legal or justice-oriented associations or committees, and the Public Defender Office.

Qualifications:
Education:

• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment (Attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire)

Licensing & Certification:

• Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have exceptional communication skills.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate in written and oral form.
• Must have the ability to use all necessary electronic devices including computers, e-filing systems, as well as case management systems.
• Must have the ability to coordinate with supporting personnel to provide client-centered, holistic representation.
• Must have appropriate time management skills and organizational skills and demonstrate proficiency of avoiding unnecessary delays in client's cases through appropriate preparation and planning.
• Must be able to process, organize and manage complex litigation.
• Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
• Must be able to effectively interact with clients, co-workers and other colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Must be academically curious about criminal law and procedure.
• Must be able to treat every client, witness and colleague with dignity and respect without exception.
• Must demonstrate an on-going commitment to a client-centered practice.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
• Occasional travel to other work locations including courts and jail.

Highly preferred qualifications include:

• Prior or current service as a trial-level public defender.
• Prior administrative or supervisory experience.
• Prior service as a Deputy Defender.
• Prior experience handling personnel issues.
• Experience developing or leading training programs.
• Experience creating and implementing new office policies.
• Ability to demonstrate a continuing commitment to the provision of quality criminal defense services to indigent clients.
• Experience and/or familiarity with holistic, client-centered public defense practices.
• Experience working with economically and racially diverse populations.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Shawn Keeling
• Email: bidsrecruiter@sbids.org
• Phone: 785-296-6631
• Mailing Address: 700 SW Jackson Street, Suite 500 Topeka, KS 66603

Job Application Process:

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

Ensure you upload all required documents during the application process.

If you have any further questions please contact:
Shawn Keeling

Human Resources Professional, Administration Office

State Board of Indigents' Defense Services

Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, open until filled.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Required documents for this application to be complete:
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's tax account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws.

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov

How to Claim Veterans Preference
Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference (https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/sec-home/vp)

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity

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