Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services - Capital Habeas Defender Office 

Kansas City, Kansas 

The Kansas Public Defender’s Capital Habeas office is looking for a tenacious and experienced capital attorney with values driven leadership skills to come and lead our team of dedicated capital habeas attorneys. In this role, you can leverage your hard-fought experience and be a leader in the fight against the death penalty in Kansas, where capital law is still being shaped, and capital defense leaders have the opportunity to bring about meaningful change.

The office is a fully state-funded capital defense team in a brand-new office space in Kansas City, Kansas, and our agency’s new Executive Director, Ann Sagan, is dedicated to supporting the office in its life-saving work.  


Job Number:  01-260122-04:  Chief Capital Public Defender (PD V)


Company Name:  Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services - Capital Habeas Defender Office 


Chief Capital Public Defender (PD V):

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Chief Capital Public Defender position (PD V) in the Capital Habeas Defender Office in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Chief Capital Defender will be the lead supervising attorney of the Capital Habeas Defender Office. The Chief Capital Defenders of the Kansas public defense system are each leader within the agency who consistently demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the zealous and dignified representation of indigent defendants.

Who We Are:
The Kansas Capital Habeas Office (KCHO) is a specialty office within the Kansas Public Defense system that represents individuals in capital state postconviction proceedings. Our team of highly dedicated attorneys and staff are able to identify inadequacies in the provision of legal assistance to clients charged with capital murder and challenge the fairness of the trial and appellate proceedings which delivered a sentence of death by lethal injection in the case. The office is based in Kansas City, Kansas.


Responsibilities
The Chief of the Capital Habeas Defender Office is responsible for the overall management of the office in partnership with the Deputy Capital Public Defender. Specific responsibilities include direct personnel mentorship and supervision, general office administration, hiring and discipline of personnel, coordination of periodic in-house trainings, ethical training and oversight, caseload management, case assignments, and all other areas necessary for the best representation possible for our clients.
Additionally, this role will involve creating policies for the office in collaboration with the BIDS Administration Office and building training programs for the office in collaboration with the BIDS Training Division and Administration Office. In order to effectively administer the office, Chief Public Defenders are expected to carry a reduced caseload.


Qualifications

Education:
• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment (Attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire)

Licensing & Certification:
• Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Minimum requirements for this position include:
• Must have demonstrated experience leading others.
• Must have exceptional communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written form.
• Ability to use all necessary electronic systems, including all required E-filing systems and records management systems, as well as case tracking databases.
• Effectively handle emergency or crisis situations in a calm and effective manner.
• Must be able to process, organize, and manage complex litigation.
• Must possess exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
• Must have demonstrated ability to effectively interact with clients, employees, and colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and able to manage confidential information.
• Must be willing and able to treat every client, witness, employee, and colleague with dignity and respect.
• Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a client-centered practice.
• Keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
• Must be open to receiving training and the providing training to others.

Highly preferred qualifications include:
• At least 5 years of criminal defense experience handling major felonies.
• Prior or current service as a capital public defender.
• Prior administrative or supervisory experience.
• Prior service as a Chief or Deputy Defender.
• Prior experience handling personnel issues, including hiring, termination of employees and employee disciplinary issues.
• Experience developing or leading training programs.
• Experience creating and implementing new office policies.
• Ability to demonstrate a continuing commitment to the provision of quality criminal defense services to indigent clients.
• Experience and/or familiarity with holistic, client-centered public defense practices.
• Experience in community organizing and the development of local community connections and resources.
• Experience working with economically and racially diverse populations.


Salary and Benefits

Capital Public Defender V is the highest experienced defender position in our agency. Compensation for this position (Capital Public Defender V) ranges from $95,000.00 – $143,325.00. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications.

The State of Kansas Employment Benefits Package includes:
• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs, parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Programs
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs


Interested Parties/How to Apply:     

Send resume, cover letter, writing sample, list of references (if applicable) by email to Shawn Keeling at bidsrecruiter@sbids.org:
Ensure you include Chief Capital Defender in your subject line of your email.

If you have any further questions please contact:

Shawn Keeling
Human Resources Professional, Administration Office
State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
bidsrecruiter@sbids.org


Application deadline: Applications considered on a rolling basis, open until filled.


Application Materials Needed
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing sample
• List of three References


Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to two pre-employment conditions which include:

• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
• Governor’s salary approval.

Tax Clearance Information:
Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue’s website. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual’s account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199. Clearance forms can be procured here: https://www.ksrevenue.org/taxclearance.html

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

Advertised by Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.