Salary : $167,136.00 - $194,000.00 Annually
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01959
Department: Fourth Judicial District
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 4:00 PM Central

Application Requirements

Under the specific direction of the District Chief Public Defender, the Criminal Division Department Head is responsible for the administration of public defender services in the Criminal Division of the Office of the Fourth District Public Defender consistent with standards adopted by the State Board of Public Defense, policies and procedures adopted by the State Public Defender, and under the direction of the Chief District Public Defender.
Definition/Summary of Duties

Under the direction of the Chief District Public Defender, the Criminal Division Department Head is responsible for the planning, coordination, direction and evaluation of the work of attorneys and support staff in the Criminal Division of the Public Defender's Office; providing guidance and assistance to subordinates on administrative and legal problems; receiving and responding to complaints from clients and making decisions on resolution of complaints; assigning cases to insure an even distribution of the workload; working to resolve court scheduling issues and conflict assignments; evaluating assigned employees; maintaining liaisons with court administration, judges, other court personnel and justice partners; and undertaking related additional duties and assignments as required by the Chief District Public Defender.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of legal principles and practice, including criminal, juvenile and constitutional law and procedure; trial or appellate procedures and rules; legal research; effective planning and presentation of court cases. Considerable ability to: lead a management team; supervise attorneys and support staff; establish effective working relationships with court personnel and justice partners; work well with people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds; prepare, present and conduct trial or appeals effectively; analyze and apply legal principles; plan, direct and evaluate the work of other attorneys and staff; analyze data; lead others by teaching, motivating, and promoting public defense values; set reasonable and attainable goals that inspire extraordinary effort in self and others. Considerable knowledge of: legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients; of management and operations of public defense programs.

The work assigned to a position allocated to this class may not include all of the job functions or knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical requirements indicated nor does the class specification include all work that may be assigned or restrict the emphasis of the work assigned.

Education and Experience

Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota; and seven years of experience as a practicing attorney, four of which must have been in the specialized field of public law.
The State of Minnesota offers benefits through the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). Benefits-eligible employees are entitled to the following insurance and pre-tax benefits:
Full time employee and part time employee benefits:
Medical insurance
Single coverage as low as $38.50 a month

Family coverage $262.66 a month
Dental insurance
Single coverage as low as $13.50 a month

Family coverage $55.40 a month
Basic Life insurance
6 week paid Parental Leave (eligible after 1 year of employment)
Retirement Savings
11 paid holidays
2 Floating holidayVacation and sick time along with leave of absence programs
Employee Assistance Program
Optional benefits:
Additional Life insurance for yourself, spouse and children
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Short and long-term disability insurance
Metro Pass
Deferred Compensation plan
Pre-tax expense accounts: dependent care account, medical and dental, transit expense
01

Are you a member of the MN bar?
02

If you are a member of any other bar, please indicate jurisdiction(s) and date(s) of admission.
03

Describe your experience supervising employees, including the number of staff you supervised.
04

What experience do you have working with a diverse community in either volunteer or paid positions? List organizations and job duties.
05

Describe any achievements, actions, or accomplishments that demonstrate your commitment to indigent defense work.
Required Question