Hourly pay rate will fall within stated range based on experience.
The Assistant Public Defender I (APD) is a trial lawyer position tasked with assisting the appointed chief public defender, serves as an integral part of a team counter-part to all state prosecutions. The APD's practice in forums that include at county, municipal, and township courts, for the purpose of providing quality legal representations for defendants without means to retain legal counsel, after being charged with criminal or civil violations. An APD may also be assigned in matters such as juvenile delinquency and neglect and abuse (NA) cases that require appointment as Guardian ad litem (GAL). Position will initially be under supervision but the APD will gradually receive more complex assignments to perform more independence as greater experience is gained. Position also provides essential operational/administrative assistance as needed to the department head for the recruitment, training, supervision, utilization and evaluation of a large volunteer workforce of qualified student lawyers/investigators. Also provides legal counsel to the general public, local units of government, and various County departments as needed.
Must possess an Undergraduate and Law Degree from an accredited college or university; Two years of experience in the practice of criminal or governmental law is preferred, or the equivalent with a concentration in District Court and/or Family Court proceedings.
Have a valid Michigan driver's license.
Additional Requirements
Must have Membership in the State Bar Association and be licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan. Admittance to practice in front of federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court is desirable. Must be able to secure clearance to enter correctional facilities. NOTE: Bilingual in Spanish preferred
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
An Assistant Public Defender I performs generally sedentary work activities, requiring the occasional lifting of objects weighing thirty-five (35) pounds or less.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
An Assistant Public Defender I works in a variety (i.e. HOJ, Jail, and South Campus) of County facilities and additional travel througout the County may be required.
EVALUATION CONTENT
The selected candidate must take a post-offer medical examination (including back screen and complete physical) and drug screening test given by a County appointed physician before the first day of employment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the results of the medical examination and drug screening test. Applicants for County employment may be subject to a post-offer criminal background check, depending on the nature and assignment of the position. When such check is conducted, an offer of employment is contingent upon the results of the criminal background check. Appointees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period before the appointment will be considered permanent.
APPLICANT REVIEW PROCEDURE
Any applicant is entitled to a review of any determination or action taken by the County regarding the applicant’s employment application. Inquiries should be directed to the County Human Resources Department.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this recruitment is to establish an eligible list from which to fill present and future vacancies in this classification in the County system. For each opening, the Department Head has her/his choice of the candidates who meet the required minimum entrance qualifications. This list remains in effect for three months unless exhausted or extended.
Non-bargaining employees will become eligible for County benefits the first of the month following one (1) full month of continuous employment.
Medical Insurance | Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan Single Plan: $1,400 Deductible, $675 Employer Contribution. 2 or more people: $2,800 Deductible, $1,350 Employer Contribution Employer Contributions are prorated based on start date of benefits No Employee Premium Contributions Per Pay Prescription Drugs: $10/$40/$80 (After deductible) High Deductible Plan (HD)* This plan is only optional if the employee is not eligible for the HSA Single Plan: $500 Deductible 2 or more people: $1,000 Deductible No Employee Premium Contributions Per Pay Prescription Drugs: $10/$40/$80 Available first of the month following one full month of continuous employment |
Dental Insurance | 15% employee premium contribution Available first of the month following one full month of continuous employment |
Vision Insurance | 15% employee premium contribution Available first of the month following one full month of continuous employment |
Retirement | Defined Contribution (DC) Pension through MERS of Michigan with 3% employer and 4.5% employee contribution. There is a 6 year graduated vesting for the employer contribution. |
Retiree Insurance | Healthcare Savings Account (HCSP) through MERS of Michigan, employer 3% contribution. Vesting requirement of 6 years. |
Life Insurance and AD & D | Equal to employee annual salary to next highest $1,000. Max $200,000 Available first of the month following one full month of continuous employment |
Long Term Disability | No cost to the employee, employer paid at 66 2/3% of salary after 6 month waiting period Available first of the month following one full month of continuous employment |
Sick Leave | 10 days per year, accumulated .385 days. per pay period Accrual begins on first day of employment and is available to use on the 90th day of employment. |
Annual Leave | 13 days, accumulated .500 days per pay period. Increasing to maximum of 24 days with 20 years of eligible County service, see Personnel Rules for accumulation chart. Accrual begins on first day of employment and is available to use upon completion of six months of continuous eligible County service. |
Sick/Annual Leave Cash Payout | Employee may elect up to 40 hours of accumulated vacation and/or sick time to be paid as cash. Future accruals only. |
Personal Days | 2 days per fiscal year, unused days will be forfeited Available upon completion of six months of continuous eligible County service |
Holidays | 12 days |
COLA/Longevity | All employees are eligible for COLA based on the CPI and must be in pay status as of 12/1. Payment of $250 after 5 years of continuous service as of 12/1. Each subsequent year of service will add $50 to the payment. Maximum payment amount is $1,250 |
Voluntary Benefits (100% employee paid) | Aflac, 457 Investment options, Section 125 (available for Health and Childcare reimbursement), Voluntary Life Insurance Available first of the month following one full month of continuous employment |
Public Student Loan Forgiveness | County employees may be eligible for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF). Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education. |
Wellness Program | Muskegon County offers a holistic wellness program which focuses on the five areas of wellness: physical, financial, social/emotional, community and career wellbeing. |
Muskegon County
Muskegon, MI