Job Seekers

Career Opportunities:

- Social Worker (No Curent Openings)

- Assistant Public Defender (OPENING NOW)

- Investigator (No current openings)

Job Openings:   

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – SOCIAL WORKER

The Office of Public Defender, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama is accepting applications for the full-time position of Social Worker, to participate in providing representation to indigent persons charged with state criminal offenses  in Tuscaloosa County.  In this challenging and rewarding position, you will work with a team providing client-centered, zealous, conscientious, caring, professional, ethical and skilled representation of indigent persons charged with state criminal offenses in Tuscaloosa County.

Duties of this position will include work on assigned cases.  General areas of responsibility include the duties to conduct psychosocial evaluations and mental status examinations of defendants and obtain prior medical, psychiatric, substance abuse and education records for background and mitigation purposes; develop alternative sentencing plans for clients facing serious criminal charges.  Also, social workers perform drug and alcohol assessments, develop treatment plans and make appropriate referrals to treatment facilities. 

Requirements and qualifications for this position include a Masters of Social Work degree, social work license (minimum LMSW), significant case management and crisis intervention skills and experience, strong documentation skills and strong clinical skills. 

Employees of the Office may not engage in other full-time employment or litigation assistance for hire without the express permission of the Public Defender.  Salary for this position depends on experience.  Hiring is dependent upon the appropriation of funding.  The Office provides excellent benefits. To apply, please forward a letter describing your interest in the position and resume, by mail or email to: Joseph P. Van Heest, Public Defender, Office of Public Defender, 714 Greensboro Avenue, Suite 519, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or jvanheest@tcpdo.com.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Hiring is dependent upon the appropriation of funding. This program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

The Office of Public Defender, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama is accepting applications for the full-time position of Assistant Public Defender. Attorneys in this challenging and rewarding position work with a team providing client-centered, zealous, conscientious, caring, professional, ethical and skilled representation of indigent persons charged with state criminal offenses in Tuscaloosa County.  

Criteria for this position includes creativity, intellectual acuity, excellent research and writing skills and oral advocacy skills; ability to communicate and work well with others; demonstrated interest in criminal defense issues and a commitment to obtaining justice for indigent persons. All applicants must be a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar and have a driver’s license and appropriate motor vehicle insurance. The office prefers candidates with a minimum of three years experience in the practice of criminal law. Attorneys in the office may not engage in the private practice of law.  Attorneys in the Office may not engage in other employment without the express permission of the Public Defender. The anticipated salary range for this position depends on experience. The Office provides excellent benefits.

To apply, please forward a letter describing your interest in the position, a resume, appropriate references, and a brief writing sample by mail or email to: Joseph P. Van Heest, Public Defender, Office of Public Defender, 714 Greensboro Avenue, Suite 519, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or jvanheest@tcpdo.com. 

Hiring is dependent upon the appropriation of funding. This program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – INVESTIGATOR

The Tuscaloosa County Public Defender is accepting applications for a full-time Investigator.  In this challenging and rewarding position , you will assist a team of dedicated professionals who positively effect the lives of persons charged with crimes in Tuscaloosa County by providing zealous, conscientious, caring, professional, ethical and skilled representation.  Duties of the position include work on assigned cases.  General areas of responsibility include locating and interviewing witnesses, experts, family members, law enforcement personnel, and others with knowledge of the case or client; locating, gathering and organizing records, documents, personal property, evidence and exhibits; reviewing and analyzing documents; serving subpoenas; visiting crime scenes; establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with individuals and agencies that interact with the Office; preparing comprehensive descriptive written reports; testifying in court as required; organizing and maintaining files; using computer software and hardware, cameras, recording devices and other equipment for case files and litigation; assisting attorneys and office staff in preparation for court proceedings; and other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent; experience in criminal investigation or information gathering; excellent writing skills; computer proficiency; ability to communicate and work well with others; commitment to obtaining justice for our clients; and the ability to perform tasks associated with this position. A variety of prior experience, including non-legal fields and/or social work and/or paralegal or legal assistant training, would be helpful.  Applicants must have driver’s license, car, and appropriate motor vehicle insurance. This position requires resourcefulness; initiative; ability to analyze and evaluate facts, evidence and related information; tact and discretion; and some travel.  Employees of the Office may not engage in other full-time employment or litigation assistance for hire without the express permission of the Public Defender. Salary for this position depends on experience.  

To apply, mail or email a cover letter and resume to Joseph P. Van Heest, Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, 714 Greensboro Avenue, Suite 519, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or jvanheest@tcpdo.com 

Hiring is dependent upon the appropriation of funding.  This program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.