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Bexar County Position Description

Essential Functions:Appointed by Bexar County Commissioners Court and under the administrative direction of the Appellate Public Defender

Oversight Board, is responsible for managing all operations and administration of the Appellate Public Defenders Officeand serves as the Office spokesperson in high profile cases.

1. Supervises and directs the work activities of staff attorneys and other professional and support staff;2. Recruits, screens, selects and trains new hires and monitors/evaluates staff performance;3. Develops organizational practices and procedures and standard operating procedures;4. Monitors receipt of, and make all case assignments to staff attorneys; oversees the staff procurement of records and

transcripts for appellate preparations; and screens all cases for conflicts of interest;

5. Provides analyses and advice to staff attorneys on complex and problematic cases;6. Works directly as the principal attorney with new hires in training by reviewing, monitoring, and guiding them in their

work on cases;

7. Maintains a reduced regular caseload and provides backup on caseloads of attorneys who are on leave or are unableto complete specific assignments;

8. Serves as departmental head in all communications with other county entities;9. Prepares the departmental budget, and prepares periodic operational reports and analyses as necessary or required;10.Communicates with the Appellate Public Defender Oversight Board as directed;11.Develops and establishes new approaches to case management, budgetary restrictions or other unique problems

confronting the office;

12. Interacts with state and local bar associations, various organizations and committees involved in the improvement ofjustice and indigent representation systems and services;

13.Corresponds and cooperates with consultants hired by the Task Force on Indigent Defense to assist and evaluate thepublic defender offices;

14.Reviews and selects case management system to be used by the Appellate Public Defenders Office in consultationwith Information Services;

15.Performs related duties as required.

1.2.3.4.

Position Specifications:Requires the following:

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and ten years prior experiencein criminal law, including two years supervisory experience, with at least fifteen criminal appellate briefs and onecapital murder brief filed.

2. Comprehensive knowledge of criminal prosecution and appeals; good knowledge of public sector administration andmanagement practices and budget development and accountability; considerable knowledge of cost/benefit criteria

development and analysis; considerable knowledge of strategic planning, goal development and team building.3. Skill in developing and implementing policies and procedures; skill in supervising professional and administrative

employees; excellent legal research and writing skills; skill in organization and presentation of facts and supportinglogic; skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact anddiplomacy; skill in communicating effectively with hostile, abusive or irrational individuals; and skill in preparing andoperating a budget.

4. Ability to represent the County in a professional and effective manner; ability to manage and interpret statistical data,formulate recommendations and write reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships withAppellate Public Defender Oversight Board, Commissioners Court, Elected/Appointed Officials, Department/DivisionHeads, subordinates, co-workers, County Employees; outside organizations, service providers and the general public.with a Bachelors Degree in GIS, Geography, Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related field, and six yearsprofessional-level experience in the design, development, implementation and administration of geographic informationsystems, including project management and oversight; or an equivalent combination of education and

CHIEF APPELLATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Position Title: CHIEF APPELLATE PUBLIC DEFENDERPay Table: E Pay Grade: 14 Civil Service Status: EXEMPT FLSA Status: EXEMPT

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experience.Ability to operate personal computer and familiarity with computer-based legal research; ability to operatebasic office equipment.

5.6.7.

8.9. Physical requirements include lifting/carrying of 5-10 lbs. occasionally; visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and

eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment. Subjectto sitting, standing, walking, reaching and handling to perform essential functions.

10. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigationfrom the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Must have valid drivers license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personalinjury insurance.

11.

12.May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek.

Working Conditions: Working conditions are primarily in an office environment.

Individual Office/Department Conditions: Tasks and special requirements unique to an individual office or departmentmay be addressed through a separate list of detailed specifications prepared by that office/department and subject toapproval by Human Resources and the Civil Service Commission. Office/department specifications may not be morecomplex nor at a higher level of responsibility than any of those contained in this position description.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Candidateswhose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the Essential Functions ofthe job with reasonable accommodation.

Department Personnel Approval DateCivil Service or Sheriffs

Civil Service Approval DateCommissioners Court

Approval DateAppellate PublicDefender's Office

NA May 24, 2005

CHIEF APPELLATE PUBLIC DEFENDER 2