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Public Defender Jobs in Nevada (NOW HIRING)

LEGAL SECRETARY 2

Carson City, NV · On-site

$50K - $73K/yr

Job Summary Nevada State Public Defender office is hiring for a Legal Secretary 2 position in Carson City. Legal Secretaries in the Public Defender's office are the first contacts for the office ...

BIOLOGIST 3

Carson City, NV · On-site

$64K - $95K/yr

... public relations activities. Incumbents possess a degree of knowledge and proficiency sufficient to perform work independently with little or no additional training. Incumbent will be responsible for ...

BIOLOGIST 4

Carson City, NV · On-site

$70K - $104K/yr

Investigate and assess damage caused by wildlife upon private property and public lands; recommend appropriate courses of action to mitigate or resolve the problem. Draft species management plans ...

Showing results 21-40

Public Defender information

See Nevada salary details

$28.5K

$109.5K

$187.9K

How much do public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for public defender in Nevada is $109,502.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,800.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public defender?

A Public Defender is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney in criminal cases. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that all defendants receive fair legal representation, regardless of their financial status. Public Defenders work to protect the rights of their clients, provide legal advice, and represent them in court. They handle a variety of cases, from minor offenses to serious felonies, and are crucial in upholding the justice system's commitment to due process.

How to become a public defender?

Public defenders must be licensed to practice law by their state bar. To work as a public defender, complete your bachelor’s degree, take the LSAT exam, and attend law school to earn a J.D. degree. Focus your studies on criminal defense law, and hone your research skills. During your law school summers take internships in public defender offices. You can also intern in a prosecutor’s office or a public interest firm to gain experience for a career as a public defender. After you complete law school you must pass your state’s bar exam. Most states also require legal professionals to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Once you are licensed to practice law in your state, you can apply to public defender offices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public defender?

To thrive as a Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a deep understanding of criminal law and courtroom procedures. Proficiency in legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management systems, and trial preparation tools is essential. Outstanding communication, empathy, resilience, and negotiation skills are vital for connecting with clients and advocating effectively. These skills ensure that clients receive a robust defense, uphold justice, and navigate the legal system equitably.

What are some common challenges faced by public defenders in their daily work?

Public defenders often manage large caseloads and tight deadlines, which can make it challenging to dedicate ample time to each client. They frequently work with clients who may have limited trust in the legal system or face complex social and personal issues. Collaboration with investigators, social workers, and other attorneys is essential for gathering evidence and building strong defenses. Despite these challenges, public defenders play a crucial role in ensuring fair representation and upholding justice for those who cannot afford private counsel.

What is the difference between Public Defender vs Criminal Defense Attorney?

AspectPublic DefenderCriminal Defense Attorney
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar license, often government employmentLaw degree, bar license, private practice or firm affiliation
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, courtrooms, public service settingsPrivate law firms, solo practices, or corporate offices
EmployerGovernment agencies or public defender officesPrivate clients or law firms
Common UsageRepresent indigent defendants in criminal casesRepresent clients in criminal cases, including those who can afford private counsel

Public defenders and criminal defense attorneys both handle criminal cases, but public defenders work for government agencies representing indigent clients, while criminal defense attorneys are private practitioners representing paying clients. The roles overlap in legal credentials and courtroom work but differ mainly in employment setting and client base.

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

The most popular types of Public Defender jobs in Nevada are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Nevada are hiring for Public Defender jobs?

Cities in Nevada with the most Public Defender job openings:

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

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

Infographic showing various Public Defender job openings in Nevada as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,502 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

LEGAL SECRETARY TRAINEE - UNDERFILL - MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WAIVED

State of Nevada (NV)

Carson City, NV • On-site

$42K - $61K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


State Of Nevada rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 50 rated states


Job description

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** Job Summary Nevada State Public Defender is hiring for a Legal Secretary Trainee (Underfilling for a Legal Secretary 2), in Ely. Legal Secretaries in the Public Defender's office are the first contacts for the office, including greeting the public, answering telephones, screening and/or directing all incoming calls from attorneys, clients, and general public.

The individual in this position will ideally have prior clerical or secretarial experience in legal environments, preferably criminal law. The individual will ideally have experience drafting legal documents. The individual in the position must be able to download and process documentation and discovery from the courts and district attorneys in multiple offices.

Potential employee must have excellent skills in dealing with the public, as well as the ability to handle difficult people and situations. Microsoft Office 365 knowledge required. Knowledge of case management systems or legal database software preferred.

Incumbents possess knowledge and proficiency sufficient to work independently, with additional training as necessary. Legal Secretaries perform specialized secretarial duties for attorneys, administrative law judges, and/or hearings/appeals officers including preparing legal documents and correspondence; calendaring; maintaining records; and providing assistance on routine problems and inquiries which are not of a legal nature. Essential Qualifications PER EXECUTIVE ORDER 2026-002, ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN WAIVED FOR THIS POSITION UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2026.

Please refer to the link for more information: https://gov.nv.gov/Newsroom/ExecOrders/Executive-Orders/ Graduation from high school or equivalent education and one year of general clerical experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Job Duties Maintain current knowledge of assigned caseload and status of cases; provide general information to the public, State and local governments, attorneys, court personnel, and various office personnel; act as liaison between professional legal staff, departmental personnel, and the public; determine what information may be provided and which requests must be referred to professional legal staff; refer calls to another office if necessary. Provide clerical support to assigned professional legal staff; receive and screen visitors and telephone calls; respond to inquiries on a variety of matters such as the status of pending cases; open and review incoming mail and determine priority of professional legal staff's attention when routing; mail items according to postal and statutory requirements; maintain a calendar for professional legal staff's appointments, due dates for documents, court appearances, conferences, meetings and other engagements; schedule meetings and training and make travel arrangements

Draft routine correspondence, reports/statistics and other materials requiring specific knowledge of operational methods, policies and procedures for professional staff review; prepare and type requisitions and purchase orders, as required; process requests for payment and travel claims. Format, prepare and type legal documents and correspondence in final format according to jurisdictional requirements, from rough draft, electronic documents, Dictaphone, template or notes; proofread and review for proper citation format; prepare and attach exhibits, special sections such as indexes, table of points and authorities, certificates of service, and brief covers. Process and file documents with appropriate courts or quasi-judicial bodies in accordance with the specific procedures of each body, including manner of filing and established timelines; track responses and receipts due upon or after submittals, and dates for other required actions subsequent to submittals.

Gather, compile, organize, and prepare relevant material for professional staff to use in legal proceedings; review files and references to obtain information needed by professional legal staff; locate and verify/abstract information from legal files and records; and verify the accuracy of citations and quotations by checking legal sources. Establish and maintain legal and general correspondence filing and cross-filing systems as necessary; record case inventory information in order to maintain accurate records and provide for efficient retrieval of information; prepare files for archiving and storage in compliance with established retention schedules. Maintain a library of references including legal publications, law digests, reports, opinions and court decisions.

Distribute or assign appropriate clerical work to lower-level staff; provide instruction and guidance and review work completed by clerical personnel. Under immediate supervision, incumbents acquire skills and experience in performing the duties outlined in the series concept. This is the entry level in the series, and progression to the continuing trainee level may occur upon meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory job performance and with approval of the appointing authority.

Perform related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Working knowledge of: standard office procedures such as filing, typing, duplicating materials, answering telephones and distributing mail; data entry techniques; telephone etiquette; correct English usage, grammar and punctuation; proper spelling of commonly used words; operation of current computers and other modern office equipment; manual and computerized filing methods; basic math. General knowledge of: business English; basic customer service skills.

Ability to: use computers, telephones, copiers, facsimile machines and other office equipment; apply and understand statutes, regulations, rules, policies and procedures related to a specific program or service; read and understand manuals and other detailed written instructions; review documents for completeness and conformance to established procedures and requirements; maintain records including manual and electronic files; type proficiently at a rate of speed acceptable to the hiring authority; type, format and produce routine business correspondence, reports and other materials using a personal computer; understand and follow oral and written directions; communicate and work cooperatively with others including co-workers, clientele and the public; add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers accurately; schedule meetings and appointments; perform reception duties. Skill in: the operation and use of modern office equipment. Recruiter Contact Information: Danielle Whybrew - d.whybrew@admin.nv.gov The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them

All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.


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About State of Nevada

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Nevada isn't a company in the traditional sense, but rather a governing body that manages and directs the operations of the state of Nevada. Its headquarters are located in Carson City, NV, United States. The organisation is engaged in various sectors like education, transportation, business and industry, health and human services, conservation and natural resources, and many more. It is responsible for implementing and maintaining the law and order of the state, in addition to providing essential services to its residents.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Carson City, NV, US

Year founded

1864