Job Description

Posting number: JCA-GLYAA-638045494

Department: Office of the State Public Defender

Job classification: NON-CLASSIFIED

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal

Summary

Application Deadline: 10/27/2026

Cover Letters are required, please upload your cover letter and resume as one document. Failure to do so may result in immediate disqualification or the rejection of the application.

To Apply: Visit Our Careers Page

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.

Notes on Employment Eligibility:

• This position requires State of Colorado residency on your first day of employment, and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position. No relocation assistance will be available.
• Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position now nor in the future.

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.

Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://www.coloradodefenders.us/

Examples of duties

Position Purpose and Objectives/Definition of Work:

We are recruiting to fill an Administrative Assistant position Colorado State Public Defender’s regional trial offices. This is a full-time, entry-level Administrative Assistant position responsible for performing routine clerical and receptionist duties of a legal nature following established office procedures. Tasks are performed under direct guidance of an Office Manager or Supervisor while learning office and court procedures and case file management systems. Individuals must have strong interpersonal skills in order to successfully work with colleagues and court staff and to provide patient and compassionate service to indigent persons charged with criminal offenses. The work environment is fast-paced and has a high volume of telephone calls, client interactions and various interruptions. Individuals require the ability to multitask and perform tasks in a timely manner with accuracy and attention to detail.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs general reception duties including answering phones with multiple lines. Screens calls, takes messages and refers callers to the appropriate person, office or agency. Greets and assists onsite visitors such as, clients, coworkers, and other agency personnel. Provides general information such as, name of appointed attorney and scheduled court dates. Maintains the reception area.
• Checks the main voice mail and email inbox for the office frequently during scheduled work hours. Responds to, or forwards voice and emails to appropriate person, office or agency.
• Assists persons applying for representation by a public defender. This includes explaining the application process and ensuring the person is able to submit completed documents. Reviews applications and verifies for completeness in accordance with eligibility guidelines. Processes applications in accordance with State and Regional Office policies.
• Opens, enters data and updates, and may close client files in the online case management system. Moves hardcopy files to/from the closed file room in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Uses court or local jurisdiction internet sites to search client case information.
• Processes incoming and outgoing mail and performs routine clerical tasks such as, copying, printing, sorting, and distributing forms and documents.
• Makes weekly courthouse runs to pick-up digital and hardcopy discovery files when e-filing is not available.
• Uploads large volumes of electronic documents, files and media into the online case management database. Scans and uploads hardcopy documents.
• Attends meetings and trainings as required.
• Performs other administrative duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimal Educational & Professional Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent required. No prior experience required.
• Knowledge of English language, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division);
• Knowledge of standard software applications such as, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, internet browsers and e-mail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Client/customer service experience in a fast-paced environment;
• Basic clerical and administrative skills such as, data entry, uploading electronic files, managing files/records, and answering phones;
• Training or experience that provided a knowledge of court systems and legal terminology;
• Experience working in an environment serving indigent populations;
• Spanish-speaking skills.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Unless otherwise stated, all job duties are considered essential functions

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of English language, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division);
• Knowledge of standard software applications such as, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, internet browsers and e-mail.

Skills

• Strong client facing service focus
• Ability to maintain client and office confidentiality;
• Ability to complete multiple tasks and assignments with frequent interruptions;
• Standard software applications such as, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Power Point, internet browsers and e-mail;
• Ability to learn and utilize Adobe Acrobat;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, court personnel, clients and client families, and public from diverse backgrounds;
• Operation of common office tools and equipment such as calculators, desktop computers, printers, photocopiers, and fax machines;
• Effective communication, verbal and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information; includes receiving work direction.

Physical Requirements

Employees must be able to meet the physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those of sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

• 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.

Supplemental information

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

If you have questions about the application or encounter any issues during the application process please contact us at recruitment@coloradodefenders.us

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.