<b>Summary</b>
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Under general direction of the Chief Public Defender, is responsible for providing support services to clients of the Public Defender’s Office who are non-citizens and charged with a crime. Primary duty includes gathering information on a client’s immigration status, background, criminal history and current charge(s) and advising client on the immigration consequences of various resolutions to the pending criminal charges; preparing and trying criminal cases; supervises support staff and conduct legal research; providing high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to indigent people accused of criminal offenses in Bexar County. Flexibility to achieve performance excellence in a telework arrangement.
<br> This Position is Excluded from Civil Service.
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<b>Duties and Responsibilities</b>
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Serves as subject matter expert, individually motivated and operating with a sense of urgency and personal accountability
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Advises non-citizens regarding the full range of immigration consequences associated with their criminal cases, and works with the defense team to mitigate any negative immigration consequences of open criminal cases.
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Create and implement processes to increase efficiency in delivery of Padilla services.
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Provides client-centered representation to indigent clients.
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Conduct jail visits and communicate with client support system.
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Prepares pre-plea and post-plea memos for clients and attorneys regarding immigration consequences of pending criminal charges, possible case resolutions and their impact on a client’s immigration status and availability of relief from removal or adjustment of their status in the United States.
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Negotiates cases with Assistant District Attorneys and other relevant entities.
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Works as a part of a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic representation.
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Performs case law and special legal issues research to obtain information applicable to case or issue under consideration.
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Conducts training seminars for Assistant Public Defenders and court-appointed attorneys regarding immigration issues.
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Prioritizes, plans and organizes work to meet numerous deadlines.
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Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
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<b>Minimum Qualifications</b>
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Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, and four (4) years of immigration experience in State and Federal court; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
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Extensive knowledge and experience working with non-citizens, including experience in representing individuals in Immigration Court before an Immigration Judge and experience with family-based petitions and representation before USCIS and other government agencies.
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Good knowledge of the immigration laws of the United States including, but not limited to, family-based immigration petitions, cancellation of removal under 42A and 42B, asylum, withholding of removal, acquired and derivative citizenship, bars to a finding of “good moral character” and all other potential forms of relief available to a non-citizen of the United States; excellent understanding of the current state of the Immigration Laws of the United States
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Skill in supervising employees; skill in legal research; skill in negotiation; skill in making presentations; skill to communicate effectively with justice involved individuals.
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Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to operate personal computer; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County employees, outside agencies and the public
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Must be licensed to practice in the State of Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
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Must be capable of working under strict deadlines, working independently and have a strong sense of personal accountability. Must have experience managing a large caseload.
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Must be able to work independently and collaboratively, and must be comfortable working with culturally diverse, indigent clients.
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Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance
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Must clear a pre-employment physical
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May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek
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<b> Preferred:</b>
Ability to fluently speak and write in Spanish.
<b><br> Working Environment and Physical Demands:</b>
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<li> Working conditions are in an office / telework environment</li>
<li> Occasionally moves items weighing up to 15 pounds</li>
<li> Occasionally move about the office / telework office</li>
<li> Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner</li>
<li> Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery</li>
<li> Positions self to perform essential functions of the job in an office / telework environment</li>
<li> Must be able to remain in a stationary position</li>
<li> Flexibility to achieve performance excellence in a telework arrangement</li>
<li> Maintains County-issued equipment, software, data and supplies</li>
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<b>Supplemental Information</b>
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Workstations with internet access are available, if needed, to view job postings and apply online at 211 S Flores, San Antonio, TX 78204, 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday. Phone: 210-335-2545.
<b> EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER</b>
<br> Bexar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to Workplace Diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
<br> Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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