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Maine Commission on Public Defense Services
Opening Date: August 17, 2026
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Grade/ Admin Unit: 90/ Supervisory
Job Class Code:0620
Salary:$107,723.20 - $154,024.00/Annually
Position Number:200025235
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
OVERVIEW:
The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill the District Defender position in the Casco Bay Public Defenders office in Portland, Maine.
PDS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The Casco Bay Public Defenders office is comprised of five employed defenders and four support staff members, with the possibility that additional positions could be added in the future.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The District Defender must have compassion for indigent clients; possess strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills; have the ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
The District Defender will supervise the attorneys and support staff members and will report to the Executive Director. The District Defender will be responsible for coordinating intra-office practice (intake, case flow, case assignments) and may manage an appropriate caseload.
REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:
- Plans, organizes, coordinates, reviews, and oversees legal services staff and operations to provide subject matter expertise, control attorneys’ caseloads, establish priorities, and ensure program objectives and standards are established and attained.
- Determines need for, and requests staff, material, and resources for the operation of the commission to ensure defendants’ legal service needs are satisfied.
- Develops and implements new and revised policies and procedures within the district to respond to changing legal requirements, objectives, priorities, and to improve the effectiveness of legal services.
- Provides counsel to the Commission’s attorneys in legal matters concerning complex and high-profile cases to define legal options and recommend sound legal actions.
- Represents defendants before the courts in high profile cases to present cases and protect defendants’ interests.
- Prepares cases, coordinates testimony with experts, and presents highly complex and high-profile cases before the courts to obtain decisions or opinions from state, federal, and appellate courts.
- Manages and oversees provision of all legal services to ensure legal requirements are met in a timely, effective, and efficient manner.
- Implements and complies with human resource laws, policies, procedures, and practices such as: AA/EEO, recruitment, employment, position classification, performance appraisals, training, discipline, contract administration, human resource components of security protocols of agency information security and confidentiality policies, and employee safety.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of applicable Maine law and legal system.
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
- Knowledge of civil, criminal, administrative, and contract law.
- Knowledge of judicial processes and procedures.
- Knowledge of administrative management principles and practices.
- Knowledge of legislative processes.
- Knowledge of legal documents, court procedures, and rules of evidence.
- Knowledge of advanced investigative techniques.
- Ability to analyze and interpret facts, evidence, and precedents and arrive at logical conclusions.
- Ability to develop convincing testimony and arguments.
- Ability to direct, coordinate, and appraise the work activities of subordinate legal staff.
- Ability to set forth findings of facts and decisions clearly and concisely.
- Ability to interpret and explain laws, rules, and legal findings, and assess their impact on a case.
- Ability to operate a computer within an intelligent workstation including using Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, etc.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to write clearly and effectively.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Law Degree from an accredited Law school and extensive experience in legal practice including experience in a supervisory capacity, criminal defense, and working on technical, analytical, and high-profile cases.
LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Admitted to practice law in Maine and currently registered with the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar.
Preference will be given to candidates with ten (10) years of criminal law experience
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Pleasesubmita cover letter along with a current resume, writing sampleand three (3) professional references.
In order forus to properlydetermineif you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
The selected candidate willbe requiredto pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may berequired) as a condition of employment.
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
Work-Life Balance– Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave,and3+ weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays85%-100%of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find thepremium costsfor you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
Parental leaveis one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receiveforty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave.Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under theFamily and Medical Leave Act.
Note: Benefits may varysomewhat accordingto specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.
There'sa job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills.
Applicantsdemonstratejob requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
Ifyou’relooking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do,we’dlove to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. Ifyou’recurrently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your experience and passion set you apart.
If you require a paper application, please download and print oneHERE
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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.
