ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I



ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I

Salary

$25.96 - $34.60 Hourly

Location

Muskegon, MI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2022-01207

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

07/12/2022

Closing Date

8/12/2022 5:00 PM Eastern

Description of Work

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 unites of government and various County departments as needed.

Required Minimum Entrance Qualifications

Must possess an Undergraduate and Law Degree from an accredited college or university; Experience in public defense preferred but not required.

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 Conditions / Work Location

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 throughout the County may be required.

Additional Information

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.

 

MUSKEGON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

MUSKEGON COUNTY HAS ADOPTED A VETERANS PREFERENCE POLICY THAT RECOGNIZES QUALIFYING MILITARY SERVICE

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.

Agency
Muskegon County
Address
1903 Marquette Avenue

Muskegon, Michigan, 49442