Attorney 1/2/3/4 (Assistant Public Defender - PCN 02Doa131)

Job Description

This position is open to all United States of America applicants.

What You Will Be Doing

The Alaska Public Defender Agency (Agency) is currently accepting applications to fill attorney positions in multiple locations. The Agency's mission is to provide constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent clients appointed by the court. The Agency hires new lawyers and experienced attorneys to handle civil (Child in Need of Aid and commitment), appellate, and criminal matters. Positions are available in both urban and rural locations. The Agency has thirteen offices statewide, located in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, Sitka, and Utqiagvik.

Our Organization, Mission, and Culture

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in many types of cases and the Public Defender Agency is appointed by the Court to represent people who are unable to afford counsel on their own.

The Benefits of Joining Our Team

Trial attorneys in the Agency enjoy the mentorship and community of a unified statewide defense agency, training opportunities, and competitive benefits and salaries. Additionally, the Agency provides paid time off to study for the bar examination, pays annual bar dues, and reimburses some moving expenses. Alaska allows a 12-month limited license to practice for public defenders prior to gaining admission to the Alaska Bar Association. For attorneys already licensed in other jurisdictions, Alaska allows for a 10-month license to practice before being admitted to the bar. Salary ranges are commensurate with experience and dependent on location (COLA included).

We currently have openings in the following cities:

• Kenai: $2,793.00 - 4,167.75 Biweekly

• Fairbanks: $2,877.00 - 4,293.00 Biweekly

• Nome: $3,826.50 - 5,709.75 Biweekly

• Bethel and Utqiagvik: $4,189.50 - 6,252.00 Biweekly

The Working Environment You Can Expect

Positions are available in both urban and rural locations. The Agency has thirteen offices statewide, located in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, Sitka, and Utqiagvik

Who We Are Looking For

• Technological Competency: Competency with standard office equipment is expected and computer literary and fluency with Microsoft Office is essential to handling the large volume of digital documents and evidence in cases and utilizing the digital case management system.

• Effective Communicator: Clear and professional oral and written communication is essential to anyone working in the legal field.

• Prioritization: The ability to handle shifting priorities in high-pressure situations will enable success in the position.

• Ability to Maintain Confidentiality: Strict confidentiality is required due to the nature of the work performed.

• Independent Worker: Taking initiative, exercising sound judgment, and following directions is critical in our offices

Please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, three professional references, including current email and/or daytime phone number by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov.

Minimum Qualifications

Positions in this job class are in the partially exempt service in accordance with AS 39.15.120(c)(3). The following minimum qualifications are recommended:

Graduation from an approved school of law.

Additional Required Information

Please read the below information carefully. This applies to your application submission.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

The State's online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should be in a standard business format and should highlight your work experience as it pertains to the demonstrated competencies listed in the job description above. The legal writing sample should reflect the applicant's own work without significant revision from others.

Your complete applicant package, including cover letter and legal writing sample, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. If you do not provide a cover letter as required, your application package may be determined to be incomplete and will not advance to the next phase of the recruitment and selection process.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, three professional references, including current email and/or daytime phone number by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov.

APSIN

Please be aware - this position requires the use of the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). A security clearance issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is necessary to use APSIN. DPS will deny security clearance for any applicant who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in this state or another jurisdiction, or who may be a fugitive from justice. Additionally, security clearance will be withdrawn if DPS discovers that material information was falsified or omitted at the time of the initial application for security clearance.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information

Please submit application to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov.

Please contact the following with any questions:

Rhonda Thayer

Administrative Officer 1

rhonda.thayer@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental

• The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.

• AVTEC

• Confidential

• Correctional Officers

• Marine Engineers

• Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers

• Supervisory

• Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union

• Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)

The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.

• General Government

• Labor, Trades and Crafts

• Public Safety Employees Association

• Masters, Mates & Pilots

Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for

• Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)

• Long-term and short-term disability

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment

• Long-term care (self and eligible family members)

• Supplemental Survivor Benefits

Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)

• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)

• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)

• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security

• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program

• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served

• Eleven paid holidays a year

Agency State of Alaska

Address PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811

Phone (800) 587-0430 (Statewide toll-free number)

(907) 465-4095 (Juneau and out-of-state callers)

Website http://workplace.alaska.gov/

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