Chief Capital Defender

Kansas State Board of Indigents? Defense Services (SBIDS)

Our mission is to fulfill the constitutional promise of a zealous defense by providing our clients with team-based advocacy that champions their human dignity and achieves just outcomes on their behalf.

SBIDS Current Job Openings

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. ? 5:00 p.m.
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans? Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $95,000.00 ? $130,954.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

The Kansas State Board of Indigents? Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Chief Capital Public Defender position (PD V) in the Capital Habeas Defender Office in Merriam, Kansas. It is anticipated that the office will move to Kansas City, Kansas, in 2025/26.

The Chief Capital Defender will be the lead supervising attorney of the Capital Habeas Defender Office. The Chief Capital Defenders of the Kansas public defense system are each leaders within the agency who consistently demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the zealous and dignified representation of indigent defendants.

The Kansas Capital Habeas Office (KCHO) is a specialty office within the Kansas Public Defense system that represents individuals in capital state postconviction proceedings. Our team of highly dedicated attorneys and staff are able to identify inadequacies in the provision of legal assistance to clients charged with capital murder and challenge the fairness of the trial and appellate proceedings which delivered a sentence of death by lethal injection in the case. The office is based in Merriam, Kansas, and it is anticipated that the office will move to Kansas City, Kansas.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

The Chief of the Capital Habeas Defender Office is responsible for the overall management of the office in partnership with the Deputy Capital Public Defender. Specific responsibilities include direct personnel mentorship and supervision, general office administration, hiring and discipline of personnel, coordination of periodic in-house trainings, ethical training and oversight, caseload management, case assignments, and all other areas necessary for the best representation possible for our clients.

Additionally, this role will involve creating policies for the office in collaboration with the BIDS Administration Office and building training programs for the office in collaboration with the BIDS Training Division and Administration Office. In order to effectively administer the office, Chief Public Defenders are expected to carry a reduced caseload.

Qualifications

Education:

• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment (Attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire)

Licensing & Certification:

• Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas.
• Must have a valid driver?s license.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of criminal defense experience handling major felonies preferred.
• Must have demonstrated experience leading others.
• Must have exceptional communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written form.
• Ability to use all necessary electronic systems, including all required E-filing systems and records management systems, as well as case tracking databases.
• Must be able to effectively handle emergency or crisis situations in a calm and effective manner.
• Must be able to process, organize, and manage complex litigation.
• Must possess exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
• Must have demonstrated ability to effectively interact with clients, employees, and colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and able to manage confidential information.
• Must be willing and able to treat every client, witness, employee, and colleague with dignity and respect.
• Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a client-centered practice.
• Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
• Must be open to receiving training and the providing training to others.

Highly preferred qualifications include:

• Prior or current service as a capital public defender.
• Prior administrative or supervisory experience.
• Prior service as a Chief or Deputy Defender.
• Prior experience handling personnel issues, including hiring and termination of employees and employee disciplinary issues.
• Experience developing or leading training programs.
• Experience creating and implementing new office policies.
• Ability to demonstrate a continuing commitment to the provision of quality criminal defense services to indigent clients.
• Experience and/or familiarity with holistic, client-centered public defense practices.
• Experience in community organizing and the development of local community connections and resources.
• Experience working with economically and racially diverse populations.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Shawn Keeling
• Email: bidsrecruiter@sbids.org
• Phone: 785-296-6631
• Mailing Address: 700 SW Jackson Street, Suite 500 Topeka, KS 66603

Job Application Process:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample
• List of three professional references
• If you are claiming Veteran?s Preference, please also include your DD214

Ensure you upload all required documents during the application process.

If you have any further questions please contact:

Shawn Keeling

Human Resources Professional, Administration Office

State Board of Indigents? Defense Services

Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, open until filled.

Required documents for this application to be complete:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's tax account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws.

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans? Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a \"veteran\"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran?s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.