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Federal Public Defender Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Pimacounty

Paralegal - Public Defense Services

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$23.98 - $28.19/hr

Legal Defender; Mental Health Defender; Office of Children's Counsel; Public Defender, Public ... federal reporters, slip opinions and various case law; * Updates or shepardizes case law to ...

Cayuse Holdings

Interpreter- Swahili

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$45 - $65/hr

Legal services interpretation (e.g., law offices, legal aid organizations, public defender or ... Successful completion of the Federal Court Interpreting Exam (FCICE). * Demonstrated qualification ...

Cayuse Holdings

Interpreter- Kinyarwanda

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$45 - $65/hr

Legal services interpretation (e.g., law offices, legal aid organizations, public defender or ... Successful completion of the Federal Court Interpreting Exam (FCICE). * Demonstrated qualification ...

Cayuse Holdings

Interpreter- Mandarin

Phoenix, AZ

$45 - $65/hr

Legal services interpretation (e.g., law offices, legal aid organizations, public defender or ... Successful completion of the Federal Court Interpreting Exam (FCICE). * Demonstrated qualification ...

Cayuse Holdings

Interpreter- Swahili

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$45 - $65/hr

Legal services interpretation (e.g., law offices, legal aid organizations, public defender or ... Successful completion of the Federal Court Interpreting Exam (FCICE). * Demonstrated qualification ...

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$26.1K

$100.2K

$171.9K

How much do federal public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal public defender in Arizona is $100,209.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,500.00 and $124,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a federal public defender do?

A Federal Public Defender is a government-appointed attorney who represents individuals accused of federal crimes who cannot afford legal counsel. They provide defense services in federal court proceedings, including pre-trial hearings, trials, and appeals. Their role ensures that defendants receive fair legal representation as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Federal Public Defenders are experienced attorneys who work within a federally funded system separate from prosecutors to maintain impartiality.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a federal public defender?

To thrive as a Federal Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a valid law license, and extensive knowledge of federal criminal law and procedure. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, case management systems, and federal court filing platforms is essential. Outstanding oral and written advocacy, discretion, and resilience under pressure are important soft skills in this demanding position. These skills enable the delivery of effective defense, protection of clients' rights, and successful navigation of complex federal cases.

What challenges do federal public defenders face in their daily work?

Federal Public Defenders often manage heavy caseloads and must quickly familiarize themselves with complex legal issues in each case. They face the challenge of representing clients who may have limited resources or trust in the legal system, requiring exceptional advocacy and interpersonal skills. The role involves frequent court appearances, close collaboration with investigators and support staff, and negotiation with federal prosecutors. Despite these demanding aspects, many defenders find the work highly rewarding due to its positive impact on ensuring justice and upholding constitutional rights.

What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Public Defender jobs in Arizona?

The most popular types of Federal Public Defender jobs in Arizona are:

What are popular job titles related to Federal Public Defender jobs in Arizona?

For Federal Public Defender jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Federal Public Defender jobs in Arizona look for?

The top searched job categories for Federal Public Defender jobs in Arizona are:

Federal Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Public Defender job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,209 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Assistant Paralegal - Tucson

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Federal Public Defender's Office
See more jobs at Federal Public Defender's Officeexternal

$62K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

The Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona is accepting applications for the position of full-time assistant paralegal to be stationed in Tucson.  More than one position may be filled from this announcement. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of Title 18, United States Code, Section 3006A(g)(2)(A), to provide federal criminal defense services by court appointment to individuals unable to afford counsel.  The organization has staffed offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Flagstaff.

Requirements.  To qualify for an assistant paralegal a person must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have at least three years of general experience and two years of specialized experience. Some higher education may be substituted for specialized experience. Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred. Personal computer, advanced word-processing skills are required. Law office experience, computer literacy and experience with Word, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel, Box.com is preferred.  Spanish language proficiency is required for this position.  Ability to speak, read and write Spanish for translation of letters and documents is required.  Applicants selected for interview will be tested for Spanish fluency. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation.

Duties.  The assistant paralegal provides support services to several staff attorneys, staff paralegals, and investigators.  Duties of the assistant paralegal include assisting with case file management; gathering, organizing,  summarizing, and indexing of electronic and paper documents and other discovery materials; assisting with client contact; preparing case related forms, assisting the staff paralegals and investigators with out-of-district requests; gathering records; assisting with litigation support services using advanced software programs; calendaring court hearings and jail visits; typing letters/motions; filing motions/pleadings; contact with court personnel and detention facilities; assisting with front desk and  performing all other duties as assigned. Applicant must be able to handle multiple tasks.

Salary and Benefits.  The starting salary for the assistant paralegal commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant is currently fixed at Grade 9, Step 1 yielding $62,893 per annum. This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position does include regular government employee benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, telework opportunities and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).  All positions are at will and are subject to the availability of funds.

Items to include: Please include a letter of interest along with resume. References will be required from candidates selected for an interview.

The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.


Equal Opportunity Employer. The Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals from groups underrepresented in national projects within the defender community are encouraged to apply.