Closing Date: 21st December, 2025
Description:
Unclassified PositionThe Current Vacancy Is in The Public Defender Department
Please Refrain from Attaching Personal and Identifiable Information: Driver's License, Photo on Resumes, Dd214, Vaccination Cards, Etc.
Minimum Qualifications:
Juris Doctorate Degree Required; Supplemented by Ten (10) Years of Experience as A Practicing Criminal Defense Attorney; Including Five (5) Years of Progressively Responsible Experience in Mentoring, Leadership, And/or Supervisory Experience; or Any Equivalent Combination of Education, Training, and Experience Which Provides the Requisite Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for This Job. Resumes without Photos Are Welcome.
Specific License or Certification Required: Must Be Registered as A Member of The Georgia State Bar Association. Must Possess and Maintain a Valid Georgia Driver's License. Attorneys Licensed in Other States that Have Reciprocity with The State of Georgia Seeking Admission on Motion without Examination, Must Have Passed a Bar Exam in A Reciprocal Jurisdiction, and Meet Other Qualifications Required by The State Bar of Georgia. Click Here for More Information. (https://www.gabaradmissions.org/motion-petition-information)
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must Be Able to Demonstrate Proficiency in The Performance of The Essential Functions and Learn, Comprehend, and Apply All County or Departmental Policies, Practices, and Procedures Necessary to Function Effectively in The Position. Requires Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local Criminal Laws; Policies and Procedures Governing Assigned Courts, and Methods and Techniques Related to The Area of Assignment.
All Applications Must Be Completed in Full Before They Are Submitted. Please Review All Applications for Accuracy and Make All Corrections Before Submission Because Errors Can Result in Not Meeting the Minimum Qualifications. Additional Information Will Not Be Accepted After Applications Are Received by The Personnel Department.
Purpose of Classification:
The Purpose of This Classification Is to Manage a Division of The Office of The Public Defender Assigned to Provide Competent and Zealous Legal Representation and Advocacy to Indigent Clients of Fulton County. Positions in This Classification Assist the Public Defender in Planning, Organizing, Directing, and Coordinating Operations of The Office. This Classification Is Distinguished from The Assistant Public Defender Iv by The Responsibility for Overall Management of A Functional Unit or Division of The Office. This Is a Limited Incumbent Classification Whose Primary Responsibilities Involve Management and Oversight, but May Also Represent Clients in Select Cases that Represent the Most Serious, Legally Complex, High-Profile, And/or Significant Cases Assigned to The Office.
Essential Functions:
The Following Duties Are Normal for This Position. the Omission of Specific Statements of The Duties Does Not Exclude Them from The Classification if The Work Is Similar, Related, or A Logical Assignment for This Classification. Other Duties May Be Required and Assigned.
Supervises, Directs, and Evaluates Assigned Staff: Develops and Oversees Employee Work Schedules to Ensure Adequate Coverage and Control; Compiles and Reviews Timesheets; Approves/processes Employee Concerns and Problems and Counsels or Disciplines as Appropriate; Assists with Or Completes Employee Performance Appraisals; Directs Work; Acts as A Liaison Between Employees and Management; Recruits, Screens, and Interviews Applicants for Vacant Positions; Makes Hiring Recommendations or Decisions; and Trains Staff in Operations, Policies, and Procedures.
Organizes, Prioritizes, and Assigns Work; Prioritizes and Schedules Work Activities in Order to Meet Objectives; Ensures that Subordinates Have the Proper Resources Needed to Complete the Assigned Work; Monitors Status of Work in Progress and Inspects Completed Work; Consults with Assigned Staff to Assist with Complex/problem Situations and Provide Technical Expertise; and Provides Progress and Activity Reports to Management.
Manages the Activities and Operations of A Division of The Office of The Public Defender: Plans and Implements Short and Long-Term Goals, Objectives, and Strategies for The Division; Evaluates, Recommends, and Implements New Systems, Policies, Procedures, or Protocols for The Investigation, Research, and Defense of Cases; and Drafts Policies and Procedures.
Provides Management, Oversight, Training, and Legal Guidance for Cases and Attorneys in The Division: Review Cases with Attorneys to Provide Strategic Direction; Assesses Potential Conflicts of Interest; Meets with Trial Teams to Advise, Resolve Conflicts, and Allocate Resources; Trains and Instructs Subordinate Attorneys in All Aspects of Litigation, Negotiation, Case Research, Motions Practice, Client Communications, and Case Management; Creates Training Materials; Conducts Training Seminars and Lectures; Evaluates Attorney Performance in Court; Reviews Adherence to Protocols; Ensures Appropriate Flow of Cases and Paperwork.
Participates in Policy Planning and Leadership for The Office of The Public Defender: Participates in Executive Meetings, Special Assignments, and Multi-Agency Projects; Attends Meetings and Articulates Positions on Behalf of The Office; Develops and Implements Programs and Procedures that Involve Multiple Agencies; Assists with The Development and Implementation of Strategic Plans, Goals, and Strategies to Accomplish the Mission of The Office of The Public Defender.
Oversees or Directly Participates in The Legal Representation of Clients in Court at Various Stages of Cases, Including Arraignments, Preliminary and Pretrial Hearings, Probation and Sentencing, Post-Adjudication/post-Conviction Hearings, Appeals or Any Related Courtroom Proceedings: Negotiates at All Stages on Behalf of The Client; Prepares and Argues Motions; Conducts Jury Selection, Makes Opening and Closing Statements, Presents Evidence, and Questions Witnesses; and Makes Appropriate Objections and Arguments.
Oversees or Participates in The Investigation and Preparation of Cases for Hearings and Trials: Reviews Discovery; Interviews Clients in And out Of Custody; Requests and Inspects Records and Evidence; Review Criminal Histories; Prepares Graphics and Exhibits; Explores Alternative Explanations for The Alleged Incident; Follows up On Defense Leads; Identifies and Interviews Witnesses and Alibis; Observes Crime Scenes; Subpoenas Witnesses and Prepares Them for Trial; Prepares Clients for Trial; Determines Need For, Procures, and Interviews Expert Witnesses; Assesses Need for Psychological/psychiatric Evaluation of Client; Anticipates Legal Issues; Develops Defense Theory and Case Strategies.
Oversees Representation or Directly Represents Clients at Pre-Trial Conferences: Secures and Argues Mitigating Evidence; Negotiates Resolutions with Assistant District Attorneys; and Advises Clients Regarding the Acceptance or Rejection of Plea Offers.
Oversees or Coordinates Post-Adjudication/disposition/conviction Follow-Up and Relief: Secures Mitigating Evidence for Sentencing or Restitution; Reviews Court Orders and Case Plans; Files Related Requests, Motions and Appeals; Advocates for Client; and Secures Additional Services for Client.
Conducts Case Research and Documentation: Researches Relevant Case Law and Interprets in Relation to The Facts of The Case; Researches the Terms, Procedures, or Science Used in Other Fields that May Be Relevant to A Case; Prepares Briefs and Motions and Responses to Same; Writes Case Summaries; Drafts Jury Charges; and Makes Trial Notes.
Communicates With, Advises, and Advocates for Indigent Clients: Develops Trusting and Supportive Attorney-Client Relationship; Explains and Advises Clients Regarding Their Rights, the Investigative and Judicial Process, and The Advisability of Alternative Courses of Action; and Provides Updates Regarding Case Status.
Maintains and Upgrades Knowledge in Appropriate Legal Fields: Attends Conferences, Seminars, Meetings and Training Events Relevant to Area of Expertise; Keeps Abreast of Legal Changes; and Participates in Professional Organizations.
Serves as A Liaison with Community Partners and The Public to Educate and Inform the Community About Criminal Justice Systems and Processes.
Communicates with Prosecuting Attorneys, Judges, Investigators, Legal Support Staff, Witnesses, Experts, Translators, Client Friends and Family, Probation Officers, Supervisor, Government Officials, Other Employees, the Public, and Other Individuals as Needed to Coordinate Work Activities, Review Status of Work, Present or Exchange Information, Provide Legal Counsel and Interpretation, or Resolve Problems.
Additional Functions:
Performs Other Related Duties as Required.
Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the Ability to Synthesize, Hypothesize, And/or Theorize Concerning Data Involving Modification of Existing Policies, Strategies And/or Methods to Meet Unique or Unusual Conditions. Requires the Ability to Do so Within the Context of Existing Organizational Theories and Management Principles.
Human Interaction: Requires the Ability to Function in A Director Capacity for A Major Organizational Unit Requiring Significant Internal and External Interaction.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the Ability to Operate, Maneuver And/or Control the Actions of Equipment, Machinery, Tools, And/or Materials Used in Performing Essential Functions.
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