Assistant Public Defender, Juvenile Division
Harris County
Houston, TX 77002
Description
Position Description
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Court Function: Attend all scheduled court activities with client and family/guardian, including detention hearings, non-issue court settings, trials and psychosocial evaluations.
- Client Contact (in Custody): Visit client in the Juvenile Detention Center or other secure holding facility to gather case information, give case updates, or to assess general well-being of client.
- Evidentiary Function: Seek all necessary evidence related to your client's case(s) through use of subpoenas, open records request, telephone calls/letter writing, investigator requests, and discovery requests of the state.
- Communication with Client & Family/Guardian: Keep client and family/guardian informed of all aspects of case outside of the regular court activities.
- Legal Research: Obtain answers or solutions to client case issues through office research tools, use of appellate division, or seeking answers by soliciting outside agencies or organizations.
- Holistic Approach: Assist client and family/guardian with issues that arise outside the normal course of legal representation, such as housing, education, medical, immigration and mental health.
- Case Review: Assist other members of the Juvenile Division with help with trial and non-trial cases, either with ideas to resolve case issues or physically standing in for other division members unable to attend court or other case-related activities
- Administerial Duties: Maintain client case files, provide new and closed case information to proper staff, make concurrent data entries into office data system, and organize all other materials germane to attorney caseload.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education and Licensure:
- A Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent.
- Current license to practice law with the State Bar of Texas.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must be able to work in an open office environment and assist attorneys in other divisions within the PDO if requested.
- Effective organizational and time management skills.
- Manages a demanding caseload of cases assigned from juvenile courts.
- Proficient written and oral communication skills and trial skills.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
- Five (5) years' experience as a criminal defense attorney.
- Juvenile Law experience.
- Bilingual in English/Spanish.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Regular Full-time
- Monday – Friday | 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
- Sometimes requires evening and weekend hours.
Salary:
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 pay periods
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
www.benefitsathctx.com