Defense Attorney I

Salary: $79,512.00 - $82,692.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County, WA
Job Type: Regular w/ End Date Employee
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 24R01759
Department: Public Defense
Opening Date: 02/26/2024
Closing Date: 4/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Summary of Duties
**This regular full-time position is a funding agreement with Washington State Office of Public Defense Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program with an end date of June 30, 2024**
The closing date for this employment opportunity has changed, and will now close on April 21, 2024.
Additional information regarding future funding will be provided.
Thurston County Public Defense Mission:
"To Defend and Protect Our Clients' Constitutional Rights, One Person at a Time"
Thurston County Public Defense is currently recruiting for one (1) Defense Attorney I. A Defense Attorney practices with moderate to minimal supervision from a higher-level Defense Attorney. Immediate placement for this position will be in the District Court Unit consistent with the summary of duties outlined below:
Responsibilities for the District Court Unit may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages a full caseload representing and assisting indigent clients facing charges or charged with simple possession or public use offenses under RCW 69.50.4011(1)(b) or (c), RCW 69.50.4013, RCW 69.50.4014, or RCW 69.41.030(1), or under local ordinances involving allegations consistent with 2E2SSB 5536
• Reviews reports, interviews appropriate parties, works with the court and Prosecutor to resolve cases. Appropriately utilizes internal and external professional services.
• Performs a variety of legal office work, prepares appropriate legal pleadings, does necessary research, maintains required statistical information.
• Prepares cases for trial, pre-trial and post-trial hearings and/or please bargains the cases with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
• Assists other attorneys in matters of trial strategy, tactics and legal research and analysis.
• Is knowledgeable of District Court rules and procedures.
• Handles miscellaneous calendar duties such as arraignment calendars, initial appearance calendars and interpreter calendars.

What we offer our employees:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals' lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Employee Benefits | Thurston County (thurstoncountywa.gov)website for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn a minimum of 12 paid vacation days per year in addition to 11 paid holidays
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness:This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made 120 qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you'll love it here
Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington's South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer's markets, kids' activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at
Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law and must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association.
• Knowledge of all criminal rules of Washington State, techniques of interviewing and preparation and defense of all variety of criminal cases, with emphasis on lower level felonies and all misdemeanors.
• Knowledge of RCW 13.34, good communication with parents, legal custodians and guardians.
• Ability to perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems.
• Present law, facts, evidence and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Work harmoniously and maintain good public relations.

Other Position Related Information
Questions about this position?
For more information about this position, please contact Katelyn Vena, (360) 462-7980.This position is:- NOT represented by a Union
- NOT eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Eligible for benefits
Items required for consideration:
- Application
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- Supplemental Questionnaire (Question 1 and 2)
- Applications Disclosure Form (Pursuant to RCW Section 43.43.830) (Questions 3-8)
Thurston County provides a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees. The following is a brief summary of available benefits offered to county employees. Benefits are subject to change and may differ according to collective bargaining agreements. Plan documents and eligibility requirements are provided upon hire. This information is subject to change at anytime.
Health Care Benefits:
Thurston County provides medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage for all regular full-time employees enrolled in the County's standard plans. For regular part-time employees, who work less than 75% of an FTE, the county pays a pro-rated portion of the cost for medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
Medical
Thurston County provides medical benefits through the Washington State's Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Plan availability is based on county of residence. Each year the County determines the standard and non-standard plans. For standard plans, the County pays the full employee premium.
Dental
Dental plans are provided through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees have the opportunity to choose between two plans, Delta Dental, a preferred provider plan or Willamette Dental, an HMO plan.
Vision
Thurston County employees have Vision Service Plan coverage through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees also have additional vision coverage through their medical plan.
Life Insurance
The County provides each regular, full-time employee with a basic, term life plan of $36,000 life insurance and $36,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Additional voluntary, supplemental life insurance and AD&D insurance is available as a payroll deduction.
Dependent Coverage
Eligible dependents may be added to all coverage listed above. Depending upon the bargaining unit, the County pays up to a specific maximum amount toward dependent coverage with the employee paying any amount above the County maximum contribution.
Pension Plans:
Retirement
Eligible Thurston County employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems' pension plans (PERS, PSERS, or LEOFF). With the exception of PERS plan 3, all of these plans are "defined benefit" plans with retirement benefits based on your average compensation and earned service credits. PERS Plan 3 is a hybrid plan incorporating both "defined benefit" and "defined contribution" elements. These plans are funded by both employer and employee contributions.
Deferred Compensation
The County offers three voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan. Deferred compensation plans are 457 plans as defined by IRS regulations.
Holiday and Leave Programs:
Paid Leave
Thurston County offers two leave plans, Alternative leave and Traditional leave. In the Alternative Leave program, leave is accrued per pay period and may be used for vacation and/or sick leave purposes. Employees in the Traditional Leave program accrue both sick leave and annual leave each pay period.
Thurston County Observed Holidays
Eleven paid are observed by Thurston County. Depending on union contract, regular employees receive one floating holiday and one Community Service Day each calendar year, or two floating holidays each calendar year.
Other County Paid Benefits:
Long Term Disability (LTD)
The county's long term disability plan provides a monthly benefit of 60% of your monthly base salary up to $6,000 per month after a waiting period of 90 days of disability.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and immediate family members are eligible to receive confidential, professional counseling assessment and referral services through First Choice Health. The employee assistance program can assist and respond to all kinds of requests for counseling assessment and life concerns, such as, relationship concerns, family problems, alcohol and drug abuse problems, financial crisis, identification theft, general stress, caregiver burnout, depression, etc. Services are available 24-hours per day, 7-days per week.
Additional Voluntary Benefits:
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses. Section 125 FSAs allow you to pay for allowable health-related and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Short Term Disability
The County's short term disability plan is meant to assist with temporary periods of disability, as well as bridge the 90 day waiting period before the County's Long Term Disability begins. It provides a benefit of 60% of employees weekly base salary up to $1,000 per week after a waiting period of 30 days.
Worksite Plans:

• Accident Insurance is designed to help pay for costs not covered by employee health insurance when injured due to an accident.
• Hospital Indemnity will pay a lump sum if an employee is admitted to the hospital, and will pay a lump sum for each day your are inpatient, to a maximum of 15 days per year.
• Critical Illness will pay a lump sum if you are diagnosed with certain serious conditions. Cancer, heart attack, and stroke are a few of the listed conditions in this policy.

Electronic Payroll Savings with TreasuryDirect
County employees can invest in TreasuryDirect electronic savings bonds (Series I and EE) by requesting a payroll deduction. Monthly deductions are forwarded to the Federal Reserve, which enables employees to buy and redeem electronic savings bonds directly from the United States Treasury Department.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Thurston County is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act. Employees may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness.
Additional Benefits
The County also offers direct deposit, credit union memberships, a Commute Trip Reduction Program, and other miscellaneous benefits.
Please click for more information or visit the Thurston County Benefits website:
01
Did you attach the required resume and cover letter to your application? Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Yes
• No

02
Membership with the Washington State Bar Association is a requirement of this position. Please provide your Washington State Bar Number.
03
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you ever had findings made against you in any civil adjudicative (judicial or administrative) proceeding?A "civil adjudication proceeding" is a judicial or administrative adjudicative proceeding that results in a finding of, or upholds an agency finding of, domestic violence, abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, violation of a professional licensing standard regarding a child or vulnerable adult, or exploitation or financial exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult under any provision of law, including but not limited to chapter 13.34, 26.44, 74.34 RCW, or rules adopted under chapters 18.51 and 74.42 RCW. "Civil adjudication proceeding" also includes judicial or administrative findings that become final due to the failure of the alleged perpetrator to timely exercise a legal right to administratively challenge such findings.

• Yes
• No

05
Have you had both a conviction and finding made against you in any civil adjudicative proceeding?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you have any civil adjudicative proceedings or criminal charges pending?

• Yes
• No
...