Public Defender

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Employee Type:

Regular

Department:

Public Defender

Salary:

$232,399.45 annually

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Overtime Eligibile:

No

Job Posting Date Range:

08/26/2026 - Until Filled

Job Summary:

This appointed position performs highly responsible and complex administrative, supervisory and participatory legal work in directing the staff, policy and operations of the Spokane County Public Defender’s Office, as provided by chapter 36.26 RCW. Incumbent performs direct trial level representation of indigent defendants in a diverse range of criminal and civil cases.
The single position allocated to this classification provides leadership and oversight in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating departmental staff and operations. Ensures compliance with business, financial, statutory and legal requirements in achieving the mission, objectives and goals of the office. Exercises direct supervision over staff attorneys, ensuring work conforms with prevailing professional standards, applicable statutes and county policies. Appears as counsel of record for selected clients in trial and other hearings. Work involves considerable contact with judicial, legal and social service agencies. In accordance with chapter 36.26 RCW, the public defender is appointed by a selection committee consisting of three individuals (one member of the Board of County Commissioners, one member of the Spokane County Superior Court, and one practicing attorney from Spokane County). The appointment is for a four-year term, coinciding with the term of the elected prosecuting attorney.

Job Description:

The following documents are required to be submitted with your application. Applications that do not include all required documents may not be considered:
• Resume
• Cover Letter

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs duties related to the direction and administration of the department, including effective personnel, financial and resource planning and management; develops, implements and continuously evaluates related short and long-term goals and operational plans; develops and implements programs, policies and procedures consistent with statutory and legal requirements in providing quality public defense and legal services.  
• Manages the department’s professional and administrative staff, including selection, training and development, assignment of work, supervision, evaluation, discipline and termination in accordance with county policy and collective bargaining agreements.   Establishes, develops, implements and monitors office policies, work rules, standards and guidelines. Participates in labor negotiations, applying contractual terms accordingly.
• Develops, prepares, justifies and advocates a multi-million-dollar annual budget, adequate to meet current standards for indigent defense; monitors expenditures; provides required financial reports to grantors and other funding sources.  Ensures operations and expenditures are within budgetary constraints.
• Advises professional staff on complex issues, defense strategies and procedures; monitors and evaluates work, ensuring performance is consistent with prevailing professional standards, applicable statues and county policies. Assigns, tracks and reviews caseloads.  Oversees the arrangement of training and practice updates for attorneys, as required or needed.    
• Responds to or oversees the resolution of sensitive or complex inquiries, problems or complaints regarding availability or quality of services. Responds to public records requests. 
• Identifies cases which present an ethical conflict of interest for the Public Defender’s Office, and administers contracts with alternative outside counsel.
• Researches and develops access to competent forensic and psychological expertise for use in investigation and trial.
• Provides leadership to the public defense system by advocating the defense perspective to judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, government leaders and social service agencies in meetings and committees that set policy and procedures. 
• Maintains and updates as needed a computerized case-management system to track caseloads and individual assignments. 
• Represents the Public Defender’s Office on relevant local and state committees, professional organizations and to community groups or agencies; advocates on behalf of the department and its clients.   
• Maintains a positive working relationship with all county departments, and other elements of the criminal justice system. Fosters a relationship with the local law school, and maintains a program to utilize clerks and interns to assist the work of staff attorneys. 
• Prepares and submits related reports and documents as required 
• Oversees the maintenance of an on-site archive of closed files, including electronically scanned records, and protocols for access thereto. 
• Develops access to language interpreters, and to assistance for hearing, sight or intellectually impaired clients.
• Oversees the maintenance of a public website useful to clients, local practitioners and the public.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and eight (8) years of progressively responsible criminal trial experience, including three (3) years in a managerial position performing administrative functions and supervising professional staff. 

LICENSE:  Admitted to practice law in Washington State at the time of application; membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, without qualifications or restrictions on the practice of law.   Certification by the Washington State Supreme Court to be lead counsel in capital cases under Special Proceedings Rule 2 highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and application of criminal law and procedures.

case management,

Knowledge of trial procedures.

• Knowledge of the Standards of Indigent Defense adopted by the Washington State Supreme Court in CrR 3.1
• Knowledge of the performance Guidelines for Criminal Defense adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.
• Knowledge of currently accepted management techniques and practices including budget processes, supervisory principles and collective bargaining procedures. 
• Ability to appear in court and try all types of cases including the most complex cases.
• Ability to train, supervise, evaluate and improve the work of professional legal and support staff through instruction and by example.
• Ability to develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services;
• Ability to establish and maintain tactful, effective and non-judgmental relationships with clients and the public and parties affected by the court and its administration.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals;
• Ability to communicate and work collaboratively with all segments of judicial and criminal justice systems.
• Ability to evaluate and establish priorities.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with individuals and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain proper perspective in all dealings, contacts and situations.
• Skilled in the practice of criminal law, including courtroom advocacy, forensic and psychological experts and issues, and legal research and writing.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

• All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:
• Respect:   Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness.  Communicating in a productive and professional manner.   
• Accountability:   Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity:   Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation:   Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.

Total Compensation:

$297,471 Annually

Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

• Benefits | Spokane County, WA