Chief Public Defender

Represent eligible people facing a loss of liberty from criminal charges within the City of Spokane. Be an independent voice that promotes justice and equity for clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity. Seek to address racial disproportionality in the local criminal legal system on issues of incarceration and sentencing, eligibility for programmatic alternatives and case resolution.

Provide responsible supervisory work in the administration and direction of the City Public Defender’s Office. This office handles misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors charged under the Spokane Municipal Code for persons who are determined to be indigent and unable to afford to hire private counsel.

Work has a substantial amount of independence in the Public Defender’s Office. Employee provides supervision to public defenders, law clerks, legal interns, and clerical staff.

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

• Provide oversight for all employment related matters within the department.
• Prepare and administer departmental budget.
• Prepare and administer departmental grant applications and requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of representation of indigent clients in the courts.
• Represent indigent clients’ and defenders’ interests on various law and law-related boards and committees.
• Handle inquiries from City Administration, City Council, judges, various agencies, and the media.
• Assigns, tracks, and reviews caseloads of staff with particular attention to compliance with statewide standards.
• Perform related duties as required.

• Criminal law and practices and procedures of City government.
• Performance Management concepts, principals, and practices related to employee performance.

• Express legal concepts in clear and concise language to the media, City Council, and Public.
• Influence, motivate, and challenge others; adapt leadership styles to a variety of situations.
• Manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure.
• Adapt to other duties as assigned and prioritize, organize, and plan work as needed to meet objectives.
• Work cooperatively with others and maintain positive relationships.

• Employee development and performance management.
• Criminal law practice to include courtroom advocacy, forensic and psychological experts and issues, and legal research and writing.
• Effectively dealing with people from varied backgrounds and different situations who are difficult, hostile, or distressed while being sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will include:

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or completion of the Washington State APR 6 Law Clerk Program.

• 8 years experience in the practice of law; and
• 3 years of supervisory experience
• 2 years of criminal defense experience

• Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting. Frequent attendance at meetings to include some irregular hours and potential out-of-town travel may be required. Incumbents in this position are expected to communicate verbally, in-person and by telephone and remote computer access. A computer terminal is used and requires the use of repetitive arm movements.