<p>Description</p> <p>To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.</p> <p>Incumbent serves as Director of Client Services/Chief Investigator for the Public Defender's Office, responsible for assisting in development of legal strategies as well as identification of appropriate clinical experts in the area of mental health and behavioral issues including competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, treatment, and mitigations development, and planning, organizing and directing investigative activity of the Department.</p> <p>DUTIES:</p> <ul> <li>Oversees all stages of criminal and civil investigation in felony, misdemeanor, CHINS/TPR, Juvenile Delinquency and mental health commitments, assisting in conducting initial interviews with clients and witnesses, preparing clients, exhibits, and witnesses for trial or sentencing, researching treatment placement options, and interviewing police, public agencies, and/or others who have official or professional relevant information. </li><li>Compiles information from witness interviews and other record reviews relevant to defense, generating written reports, and conferring with Public Defenders on reliability and credibility of witnesses. </li><li>Serves subpoena and legal process for the Public Defenders' Office. </li><li>Develops and maintains close working relationship with Courts, Prosecuting Attorney's staff, local law enforcement agencies, jail and mental health personnel, hospitals, schools, and other public agencies to address and coordinate mental health client services. </li><li>Provides leadership in development of agency best practices and protocols for representation of clients with mental health and behavioral needs. </li><li>Monitors the status of mentally ill and incarcerated individuals, advising and coordinating activities of Public Defender staff attorneys and Agency mental health professionals in recommending treatment for clients including competency restoration services, Mental Health Diversion, and other mental health conditional release programs. </li><li>Develops recruiting and coordination of activities of mental health professionals who serve as members of Agency Mental Health Consultation Team and provide forensic clinical client evaluations. </li><li>Develops and maintains directory of local, state, and mental health providers and services including mental health expert consultant database. </li><li>Assists in supervising and directing clerical personnel, interns, and contractors as assigned, including planning/making work assignments and providing training to new personnel. </li><li>Coordinates and assists other departments/agencies with research, and assists in resolving problems with clients and their families. </li><li>Assists Chief and Deputy Chief Public Defender in administrative duties including but not limited to preparing department annual budget, analyzing current year expenditures, projecting future department expenses, authorizing claims for payroll and other service related department expenses. </li><li>Assists Chief and Deputy Chief Public Defender in addressing department issues related to Indiana Public Defender Commission guidelines including, but not limited to evaluating attorney minimum qualifications, policies regarding evaluation of required case-ration attorney standards, and department staffing needs. </li><li>Assists Chief and Deputy Chief Public Defender in addressing department personnel, ethical issues, and conflict determination. </li><li>Performs related duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>Requirements</p> <p>I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:</p> <ul> <li>High School Diploma or GED. Completion of related college courses preferred, such as sociology, criminology, and/or social sciences, or equivalent combination of education and experience. </li><li>Must be at least 21 years of age. </li><li>Thorough knowledge, training, and experience in the field of criminal defense and mental health services advocating for individuals with mental health or behavioral needs. </li><li>Working knowledge of standard office and court policies, procedures and related legal requirements and terminology, and ability apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations. </li><li>Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to type, complete department documents and reports, and properly operate various office equipment, including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, transcriber, camera, and telephone. </li><li>Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements. </li><li>Ability to comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct. </li><li>Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, defendants and their families, witnesses, law enforcement departments, community service agencies, attorneys, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities. </li><li>Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form. </li><li>Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment. </li><li>Ability to regularly work extended, weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town, sometimes overnight. </li><li>Ability to respond to emergencies from an off duty status. </li><li>Possession of a valid driver's license and a safe driving record. </li></ul> <p>II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:</p> <p>Incumbent's duties are somewhat restricted in scope, but are of substantial intricacy, involving many variables or considerations with interrelationships not always clearly evident. Incumbent operates according to legally defined procedures and general department policies, exercising independent judgment in organizing and analyzing complex information, and developing practical, understandable explanations.</p> <p>III. RESPONSIBILITY:</p> <p>Incumbent applies standardized investigation/analysis techniques to varying criminal cases, discussing unusual situations with supervisor as needed. Incumbent receives general supervision with work primarily reviewed for technical accuracy and soundness of judgment. Errors in incumbent's work could jeopardize criminal cases in court.</p> <p>IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:</p> <p>Incumbent maintains communication with co-workers, other County departments, defendants and their families, witnesses, law enforcement departments, community service agencies, attorneys, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, explaining policies and procedures, rendering service, and assisting in supervising personnel.</p> <p>Incumbent reports directly to Chief Public Defender.</p> <p>V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:</p> <p>Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment involving sitting and/or standing for long periods, sitting and walking at will, close vision, hearing communication driving, keyboarding, lifting objects weighing under 25 pounds, and handling/grasping/fingering objects.</p> <p>Incumbent regularly works extended, weekend and/or evening hours, responds to emergencies from and off duty status, and occasionally travels out of town, sometimes overnight.</p>