Salary : $63,585.60 - $98,633.60 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00150
Agency: 428 Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact: Job DescriptionAre you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender's Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as a Public Defender 1 in our Des Moines Juvenile office located in Polk County, Iowa.
What You'll DoAs a Public Defender attorney in this position, you will:
- Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every state of the criminal justice system at a trainee level.
- Receive training and mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders in an atmosphere which encourages growth and development of an attorney's skills and career.
- Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trial sentencings and other court hearings.
- Prepare a defense, conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing the client and witnesses to determine the merits of case and appropriate course of action.
- Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdraw pleas, and suppression motions.
- Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other disposition of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
- Work closely with clients, providing and discussing information, plan case strategy and trial preparation.
- Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answering client questions.
- Identify potential legal issues to advance client's case, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs
- Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
- May direct work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
- Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.
What We Offer When you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:
- Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
- Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
- Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
- Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).
For additional information on benefits click here.
Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and possess a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa prior to commencing employment in positions in this job classification.
