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Assistant Defender II - Highlands Public Defender Office, Bangor

Bangor , Maine , United States | Legal | Full-time

Apply by: June 5, 2025

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Maine Commission On Public Defense

Highlands Public Defender Office

Assistant Defender II - Bangor

Opening Date: May 21, 2025

Closing Date: June 5, 2025

Job Class Code: 0622

Grade: 30

Salary: $71,843.20 – $101,587.20/Annually

Position Number: 146000044

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill one (1) Assistant Defender II position in the Highlands Public Defender Office based in Bangor.

PDS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The Highlands P ublic Defender Office is comprised of a district defender, five employed defenders and four support staff members, with the possibility that additional positions could be added in the future. The ability to telework at times is available.

JOB DUTIES

The Assistant Defender II must have compassion for indigent clients; possess strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills; have the ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The Assistant Defender II will be responsible for trying cases in the Unified Criminal Docket and handling their own appeals to the Law Court. The Assistant Defender II is expected to see clients in jail in a timely manner and communicate regularly with the client and other approved parties. The Assistant Defender II position will report to the District Defender.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS

+ Research questions of law to ensure legal interpretations and subsequent actions are correct.

+ Coordinates defense strategies with defendants to ensure potential issues are addressed prior to trial.

+ Represents defendants before the prosecutors and jury to present and defend their interests.

+ Prepares cases, coordinates testimony with experts, and presents cases before the courts to obtain decisions or opinions from local, state, and appellate courts.

+ Coordinates the execution of legal services with other attorneys to exchange information and prepare for trials and settlements.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

+ Knowledge of applicable Maine law and legal system.

+ Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

+ Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and protocol.

+ Knowledge of litigation and legal counseling methods and techniques.

+ Ability to analyze and interpret facts, evidence, and precedents and arrive at logical conclusions.

+ Ability to negotiate contracts and settlements.

+ Ability to lead and guide a legal team.

+ Ability to prepare complex briefs and other legal documents.

+ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

+ Ability to operate a computer within an intelligent workstation including using Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, etc.

+ Ability to communicate effectively.

+ Ability to write clearly and effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved school.

Licensed or have the ability to become licensed to practice law in the State of Maine. The applicant should have a demonstrated interest in indigent defense.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please apply online and submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references with your application.

For questions about this position, please contact Executive Director Jim Billings at [email protected].

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

+ Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

+ Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

+ Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).

+ Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.