Closing Date: 24th June, 2026
Description:
Job Description:Assists a supervisor by performing professional legal work related to the representation of indigent clients and juveniles in cases where the local Public Defender has been appointed as counsel and provides training, guidance, and direction to staff assigned in local Public Defender offices; performs related work as required.
Responsibilities:
- Participates in the investigation and preparation of a defense for complex adult and juvenile offender cases to obtain facts in determining the merits of cases and appropriate courses of action.
- Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, interrogations, supporting affidavits, letters, opinions, and briefs.
- Advocates the most complex cases at every stage of the criminal justice system through resolution in the pre-trial process, plea bargaining process, trial, verdict, and sentencing by: providing legal counsel and advice; interviewing and selecting appropriate witnesses, preparing them to give testimony; and conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses.
- Negotiates plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys or other interested parties.
- Trains less-experienced Public Defenders in the principles of trial advocacy and pleading, trial and criminal procedures, the concept of legal precedence, and the rules of evidence as they apply to legal advocacy.
What we offer:
When you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:
- Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
- Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
- Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
- Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
Embark on a rewarding career dedicated to public service and make a difference with us!
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
- Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and experience equal to five years of full?time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
- Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of fulltime work as a Public Defender 2.
- For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)