Vacancies
Applying for Vacancies
A job application must be on file in Human Resources by the position closing date in order for employment consideration. A resume cannot be substituted for the completed job application. There are several ways to obtain an application for employment with the Missouri State Public Defender System:
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- Download the Application for Employment (pdf*) from our website.
- E-mail us at Human.Resources@mspd.mo.gov to have an application mailed to you.
- Contact or visit any local Public Defender office to request an application.
- Call the state office at (573) 777-9977 during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) to have an application mailed to you.
Listed below are the job opportunities currently available with the Missouri Public Defender System.
For job descriptions and qualifications, click on the position title in the table below. This list is updated once a week, so it may not yet include vacancies that have been posted through other advertising sources. For information on job opportunities more recent than the last update, contact the Human Resources Office at (573) 777-9977.
Out-of-state applicants: If you are licensed in another state, you may be eligible for a temporary Missouri license. If eligible, you can apply for current MSPD attorney vacancies. If you’ve taken the UBE in a jurisdiction outside of Missouri and wish to transfer your score, you may also be eligible to do so. Learn more about temporary Missouri licenses and UBE score transferring here.
Position | Location | Closing Date |
---|---|---|
Assistant Public Defender | Various Rural Offices | Contact HR for additional information |
Assistant Public Defender | Ava | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Bolivar | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Carthage (Joplin) | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Chillicothe | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Clayton | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Columbia Appellate | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Columbia Trial | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Farmington | Applications accepted until Wed., Mar. 29 |
Assistant Public Defender | Fulton | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Hannibal | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Harrisonville | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Hillsboro | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Jackson (Cape Girardeau) | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Kansas City App/PCR | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Kansas City Trial | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Kennett | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Kirksville | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Lebanon | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Monett | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Nevada | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Poplar Bluff | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Portageville | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Rolla | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Sedalia | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | Springfield | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | St. Charles | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | St. Joseph | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Assistant Public Defender | St. Louis City Trial | Applications accepted until Wed., Apr. 5 |
Assistant Public Defender | West Plains | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Children's Defense Team Appellate Attorney | KC, STL, or Col | Applications accepted until Wed., Apr. 5 |
Deputy District Defender | Lebanon | Applications accepted until position is filled |
District Defender | Ava | Applications accepted until Wed., Apr. 5 |
District Defender | Kennett | Applications accepted until position is filled |
District Defender | St. Louis Children's Defense Team | Applications accepted until Wed., Mar. 22 |
Human Resources Specialist | Columbia Director's Office | Applications accepted until Wed., Mar. 29 |
Operations Assistant | Columbia Director's Office | Applications accepted until Wed., Apr. 5 |
Legal Assistant | Clayton | Applications accepted until Wed., Apr. 5 |
Legal Assistant | Monett | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Mitigation Specialist | Columbia Capital | Applications accepted until Wed., Mar. 29 |
Mitigation Specialist | Columbia PCR | Applications accepted until position is filled |
Specialty Practices Division Director | Undetermined | Applications accepted until Wed., Mar. 29 |
Holistic Defense Services Coordinator | St. Louis City | Applications accepted until Wed., Apr. 5 |
Last updated Mar. 22, 2023 |
Our offices make a significant investment of time and effort to train new attorneys. In addition, our clients depend on continuity in the personal attorney/client relationship and require representation by an experienced attorney with specialized training. For these reasons, we expect attorneys to make a two-year commitment to both the Missouri State Public Defender System and the local office in which they are employed. During this two-year time period, an attorney is not eligible to apply for transfer to a different office within the Public Defender System. Fulfillment of the two-year commitment to the local office and the Public Defender is a factor in determining an attorney’s eligibility for reemployment.
- Click here for a Missouri map of Public Defender Districts.
- Click here for a list of offices and contacts.
*The Application for Employment requires the free
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