PUBLIC Defender INTAKE Specialist -Mental Health

Introduction

Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors, possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast‑paced work environment, work in various settings, operate a computer and other office equipment, and have access to a motor vehicle. MOPD provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

7030 Dorsey Road, Suite 103, Hanover, MD 21076

The Public Defender Intake Specialist I is the first interaction clients have with the Office of the Public Defender. Professionalism, people skills, and empathy are a must. Intake Specialists are responsible for creating the file for the attorney, creating and mailing assignment letters to clients and attorneys, filing entries of appearance with the court, opening, closing, and updating cases in the agency case management system (edefender), pulling files and dockets from fax repositories and offices’ email accounts to the discovery drive, Google drive, and sheets, updating in edefender, answering phones, greeting the public, retrieving and entering data, organizing case files and processing discovery.

Intake Specialists assist co‑workers when needed. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

• Education:
  
  Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience:
  
  Six months of experience interviewing persons for the purpose of obtaining and verifying background or financial information.
• Substitution:
  Candidates may substitute additional experience interviewing persons for the purpose of obtaining background or financial information on a year-for-year basis for the required education. Candidates may substitute 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university for the required experience. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non‑commissioned officer in Compliance Inspection and Support classifications or Compliance Inspection and Support specialty codes in the Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Proficiency in data entry, strong communication skills, experience working in a fast‑paced retail or office environment, customer service experience, strong interest in working with indigent clients with mental illness and their families, experience working with CJIS or JIS systems, experience working with arrested persons, attorneys, law enforcement and courtroom personnel, bilingual.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties requiring the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.