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Assistant Public Defender

Job Title:
Assistant Public Defender
County Name:
Centre County
Job Title:                      Assistant Public Defender
Department:                 Public Defender
Pay Grade:                   SG-18
Pay Rate:                      $36.06/hour (based on experience)
FLSA Status:                Exempt
Employment Status:   Full-time
Location:                      420 Holmes St. Bellefonte, PA 16823
Work Schedule:           Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Reports to:                   Chief Public Defender or First Assistant Public Defender
Supervises:                  None

Position Overview:
To provide competent legal representation to a wide variety of criminal defendants, alleged incompetents, abused children (and some civil cases).

 Essential Job Functions:
  1. Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
  2. Counsels clients.
  3. Prepares and files motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
  4. Visits mental hospitals, jails, and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
  5. Represents client at pre-trial hearings/conferences, other proceedings, arraignments, jury and non-jury trials, sentencing, and post-conviction hearings.
  6. Prepares post-trial motions, briefs, and arguments for appeals to Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts.
  7. Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
  8. Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
  9. Utilizes computer for docketing, drafting letters, and other legal correspondence and reports.
  10. Dictates correspondence.
  11. Interacts with other internal departments, police, and external agencies and general public.

Other Duties:
  1. Attends staffing and training sessions.
  2. Advises public groups of the functions of the office.
  3. Travels as necessary for case preparation.
  4. Performs other job-related duties as required.
 
Minimum Requirements to Perform the Work: 

Education:
Juris Doctorate degree.  Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and admission to the Pennsylvania Bar Association required.

Work Experience:
None required, but Public Defender internship or similar experience preferred.

Benefits
Medical Benefits:
  • Capital Blue Cross Medical Insurance 
    • Health Savings Account
    • Wellness program with wellness incentives
  • Capital Blue Cross Vision Insurance 
  • United Concordia Dental Insurance with two options
Retirement Benefits:
  • County Retirement Pension 
    • 5% minimum pre-tax contribution required, with the option of increasing your contribution over 5% up to 15% post-tax
    • Fully vested after 5 years of credited service
  • Voluntary 457b Deferred Compensation Plans
  • Military Time Buy Back Options
Paid Time Off:
  • Vacation – Earn from 10 to 24 days annually based on years of service.
  • Personal – Earn 2 days annually.
  • Sick – Earn 1 day per month, with unused accumulation applying toward extended sick bank.
  • 13 Paid County Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
Additional Benefits:
  • Group Life Insurance Plan - $20,000 life insurance provided.
  • Education Assistance
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – certain eligibility requirements must be met
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Voluntary Benefits – Short- and Long-Term Disability, Term and Whole Life Insurances, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurances, Pet Insurance.

Please visit our website for a list of job opening and to apply: https://ccpa.recruiting.pdsvista.com/

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT/ISSUES WITH APPLYING: 
If you are having technology issues with the application process, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@centrecountypa.gov or 814-355-6748.

Centre County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer
 
Posting Date:
Friday, May 1, 2026
Expiration Date:
Open
Contact Name:
Centre County Human Resources
Address:
420 Holmes St Suite 334 Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone:
(814) 355-6748
Assistant-Public-Defender.pdf