About the Colorado State Public Defender
Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate. We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.
Job Description
INTERNAL CANDIDATES: The position does not include a pay increase, though an incumbent’s current salary and step-and-grade transfers over, and the position does not affect the incumbent’s evaluation cycle or anniversary date. This employee will be based at the State Office. Occasional travel to regional offices will be required.
OSPD has a dedicated Immigration Program which supports defenders working in the Regional Trial Offices. The OSPD Immigration Program advises a non-citizen client’s legal team on the consequences of immigration of criminal cases per the mandate of Padilla v. Kentucky. This work includes assessing non-citizen clients’ current immigration status and available relief from deportation; performing research on the immigration consequences of CO state statutes; performing research on other state statutes included in a client’s criminal history; identifying alternative dispositions that minimize immigration consequences; and strategizing with the legal team to assist the client in reaching their criminal case and immigration goals. In addition to individual client advisements, the immigration program also provides general assistance, training, and practice advisories related to non-citizen client work. The employee will work under the direction of Immigration Program Director. They will also work closely and frequently with the Immigration Attorney Specialist.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Focus on supporting the representation of non-citizen clients across all regional trial offices.
- Gathering and tracking data related to non-citizen advisement requests.
- Organizing and compiling resources for non-citizen clients.
- Organizing immigration data and trainings.
- Legal research and drafting of immigration advisements on appropriate cases under attorney direction.
- Prepare letters including mitigation letters, letters of case resolution for immigration court, and travel letters.
- Orders and reviews transcripts.
- Drafting of legal motions and memorandum under attorney direction.
- Reviews, compiles and organizes data related to specific projects as directed by the Immigration Program Director.
- Proofreads and edits legal documents and memoranda.
- Serve as part of the defense team, and as such, are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding the attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality.
- Performs a variety of administrative tasks as needed to support the Immigration Program which requires the processing of forms, documents and transactions in accordance with State Office policy and procedure.
- Other tasks as directed by the Immigration Program Director.
- Performs all duties to ensure compliance with applicable laws and practices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned. (non-essential)
Requirements
Minimal Educational & Professional Qualifications:
- Paralegal certificate from an ABA approved paralegal studies program or accredited institution
-OR-
- Associates or Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities or related field
-OR-
- Two years of a combination of training and experience performing legal support functions such as: organizing and preparing large legal case files for review by an attorney or presentation in court; legal research; preparing client communications; preparing drafts of or proofreading legal documents; and, compiling and analyzing records and data from legal sources;
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in legal writing
- Experience in a criminal justice or criminal defense environment
- Experience working in an environment serving indigent populations
- Spanish fluency , oral and written
- Two years of experience as a paralegal
Skills (position requirements at entry):
- Must be able to work independently and take initiative to complete tasks
- Ability to take direction from multiple individuals
- Ability to prioritize and multi-task; as well as be deadline and detail-oriented
- Experience making and implementing decisions where no precedent or training guides exist
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to search and correlate client case-related information
- Ability to conduct legal research using legal research tools
- Under attorney direction, prepare and finalize immigration advisements in appropriate cases
- Demonstrated passion and dedication to non-citizen client base
- Performs all duties to ensure compliance with applicable laws and practices to promote diversity, equity and inclusion
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, both oral and written, preferred
Physical Requirements
Employees must be able to meet the physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Requires talking, hearing, seeing, and using electronic devices such as computers.
- Occasionally required to stoop and kneel;
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time;
- Talking and hearing;
- Reaching with hands and arms, using hands and fingers.
Position Pages
Learn more about this role beyond the specific opening, including typical responsibilities, training, and how the position supports our clients and offices across Colorado.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply through the Colorado State Public Defender’s online application system.
You will be taken to our official application system (UKG Ready) to submit your application. Applicants may be prompted to create an account.
Cover letter is required. Please upload your cover letter and resume as one combined document. Failure to do so may result in immediate disqualification or the rejection of the application.
Apply for the Immigration Department Paralegal Position (opens in a new tab)
Benefits of Working for the OSPD
- Medical Insurance
- Basic Vision Insurance – included with medical plans
- Dental Insurance
- State Paid Life Insurance
- State Paid Short-Term Disability
- FSA – Healthcare and Dependent Care
- HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
- Generous Paid Time Off & Sick Leave
- Flexible Schedules
- 11 paid holidays
- Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
- Colorado PERA
- 401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans
For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit www.copera.org.
Summary
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
JOB APPLICATION FAIRNESS ACT
Resumes must include dates of employment but, you may redact or remove any information that will identify your age, date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
STATEMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING:
OSPD is committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone feels respected, accepted, and valued. With this in mind, we strive to create an inclusive workplace that embraces different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. We will continuously review our company policies and hiring practices to foster a fair and equitable work culture.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process.
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact us at ADARequest@coloradodefenders.us.