State Public Defender

State Public Defender – State of Minnesota

The State Public Defender is responsible for the executive leadership, administration, and oversight of Minnesota's public defense system. This position directs statewide operations, develops and implements policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives, and ensures compliance with standards adopted by the State Board of Public Defense. The State Public Defender serves at the direction of the State Board of Public Defense and performs additional duties as assigned by the Board and prescribed by the Minnesota Legislature.

• Supervision and evaluation of the Chief District Public Defenders and Chief Appellate Defender
• Statewide employee training program
• Receives and responds to inquiries from the public concerning the activities of the District Public Defender and Appellate Offices
• Serves as a liaison with courts, court administration, and legislature
• Undertakes related additional duties and assignments as required by the Board
• Coordinates with Chief District Public Defenders, Administrative Services Office, and Chief Administrator on policy issues and activities

• Standards needed to maintain and operate an office of public defender, including requirements regarding the qualifications, training, and size of the legal and supporting staff
• Standards for public defender caseloads
• Standards prescribing minimum qualifications of counsel appointed under the board's authority
• Standards ensuring the independent, competent, and efficient representation of clients whose cases present conflicts of interest, in both the trial and appellate courts

• Considerable knowledge of legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients, on both state and national levels
• Considerable knowledge of management and operations of public defense programs
• Considerable knowledge of legislative processes that affect criminal and juvenile law, and public defense agencies in Minnesota

• Substantial demonstrated skills in representation of indigent adult and juvenile defendants
• Substantial demonstrated skills in training attorneys in criminal and juvenile defense
• Substantial demonstrated skills in public speaking and media relations; considerable skills related to governmental agency management

• Considerable ability to supervise senior public defense managers
• Considerable ability to establish effective working relationships with court personnel, legislators, staff, and the media
• Considerable ability to plan and evaluate public defender programs and service‑delivery strategies
• Considerable ability to work well with people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio‑economic backgrounds

• Admission to the Minnesota state bar
• Seven to ten years of experience practicing in the area of criminal law
• Five years of administrative experience, including but not limited to budget management, employee and labor relations, and contract management

EEO:
This is an equal opportunity position. EEO4-Officials & Administrators.