Open Positions
We currently have open positions.
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The Far West Texas Regional Public Defender is hiring Assistant Public Defenders for two offices—Alpine, Texas and our expansion to Del Rio, Texas. We are a litigation-focused program representing people across the vast landscape of far west Texas. We are looking for people with a sense of adventure, who want to be in the courtroom, and who want to be part of re-imagining what public defense means.
We serve Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, Presidio, Terrell, and Val Verde Counties in Texas, about half of the Texas-Mexico border and an area approximately the size of West Virginia. One office is in Alpine, the gateway to Big Bend National Park. We have easy access to the Jeff Davis Mountains, Balmorhea, the Guadalupe Mountains, and Hueco Tanks. Blue Origin launches its space program in our jurisdiction. The international art community of Marfa is only 30 minutes from the office. Nearby day-trip cities include El Paso, Midland-Odessa, and San Angelo.
The second office is in Del Rio, Texas, on Lake Amistad. The area is rich in native history and outdoor activities, including state parks and nature preserves owned by the Nature Conservancy. Del Rio also has a thriving art scene and community theater. It is home to a pilot training facility for the United States Air Force. Immediately across the border is Ciudad Acuna. San Antonio is a day trip with a large international airport.
The offices work in an ensemble approach, and casework includes the support, collaboration, and input of investigators, social workers, and the other lawyers in the office. For deeper insight to how we do things here, listen to our interview on the Public Defenseless podcast in episode 115:
Annual salary: an entry-level lawyer would start at $82,687.50. Law students graduating in December 2025 or May 2026 would start at $78,000 with paid time to study for the bar exam and a raise to the full entry-level salary upon licensure. A recently licensed attorney with some experience would qualify for a higher salary.
As a county-based program, employment benefits include health insurance, low-cost dental and vision coverage, and participation in the TCDRS pension system. Also included are annual leave, sick leave, earned comp time, and a generous holiday schedule of 20 days per year.
Qualifications
Doctor of Jurisprudence or anticipated graduation by June 2026. Must sit for the Texas bar exam at the first reasonable opportunity.
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
To Apply Please send a Resume and Cover Letter to recruitment@farewesttxrpd.org
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The Far West Texas Regional Public Defender's Office is hiring for the following positions in anticipation of our office expansion this fall:
● Alpine, TX: One (1) Forensic Mental Health Social Worker
● Del Rio, TX: Two (2) Forensic Mental Health Social Workers
About FWTRPD:
FWTRPD represents indigent defendants charged with felonies and misdemeanors in rural west Texas.
The office works in an ensemble approach, and casework includes the support, collaboration, and input of investigators, social workers, and lawyers in the office. For deeper insight to how we do things here, listen to our interview on the Public Defenseless podcast in episode 115: https://tinyurl.com/FWTRPDEP115
Salary: The salary range for the position will be $60,000 to $65,000 with LMSW licensure and commensurate with experience. The salary range without MSW and licensure will be $50,000 to $55,000 commensurate with experience. Clinical Supervision and CEU’s for license renewal will be paid for by FWTRPD in addition to salary compensation and county benefits.
As a county-based program, employment benefits include health insurance, low-cost dental and vision coverage, and participation in the TCDRS pension system. Also included are annual leave, sick leave, earned comp time, and a generous holiday schedule of 20 days per year.
Responsibilities:
● Conducting trauma-informed interviews and biopsychosocial assessments. Interviews may include clients, family members, and others related to the case.
● Utilize informal and formal assessments to develop diagnostic impressions to be provided to competency evaluators and LIDDA service providers.
● Record collection related to mental health treatment, physical health treatment, education records, and other records as necessary to develop mitigation for assigned caseload.
● Making appropriate social work and community referrals, including referrals for mental health treatment, substance use services, and government benefits.
● Provide short-term treatment using motivational interviewing, solution-focused approaches, and cognitive behavioral strategies to address client’s needs while awaiting other treatment services.
● Assist with or provide testimony in felony and misdemeanor court hearings.
Qualifications:
● Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) strongly preferred. BSW and non-licensed individuals with significant education and/or experience in mental health case management will be considered for the position in Alpine, TX.
● Experience with Google Workspaces or similar software.
● Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable motor vehicle required.
● Bilingual English-Spanish proficiency preferred but not required.
These positions are 100% in-office in either Alpine, TX or Del Rio, TX. Job Type: Full-time
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to kay@farwesttxrpd.org. For questions about this position, please contact kay@farwesttxrpd.org.
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The Far West Texas Regional Public Defender is opening a new office in Del Rio and is hiring two investigators.
Positions available starting October 1, 2025.
The Del Rio office will serve Val Verde and Terrell counties and will be part the lager program that includes an office in Alpine serving Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth and Presidio Counties. We provide legal services in criminal cases to individuals who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
The office will include six attorneys, two investigators, and two social workers.
Investigators play a vital role in the defense team, conducting thorough and independent investigations to support the constitutional right to effective legal representation. The investigator must be resourceful, self-directed, and culturally responsive. This position involves regular fieldwork and client interaction. Investigators build evidence to mitigate punishment. They will also perform some paralegal work.
Essential Position Functions:
Locate and interview witnesses, victims, law enforcement officers, and other individuals connected to the case.
Conduct background checks, obtain and analyze public records, and collect physical and documentary evidence.
Visit crime scenes and other relevant locations to take photographs and measurements, and to create diagrams.
Review discovery, police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and other materials for inconsistencies or investigative leads.
Assist attorneys in developing trial strategy by providing factual timelines, maps, or investigative summaries.
Coordinate with forensic experts and mitigation specialists when necessary.
Testify in court regarding investigative findings, if required.
Maintain detailed records of all investigative work in a secure and confidential manner.
Drive throughout the region surrounding areas; occasional overnight travel outside the region may be required.
Communicate respectfully with clients and witnesses from diverse backgrounds, including individuals who may be distrustful of legal systems.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
High School Degree or Equivalent
Valid Driver’s License, Insurance, and Reliable Motor Vehicle.
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Preferred Qualifications
Two years’ experience conducting legal or criminal investigations or closely related fields, preferably involving court action.
Salary
$51,000 to $60,637, depending on experience. County benefits include paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, and participation in the TCDRS pension system..
To Apply
Applicants must send their resume, cover letter, references, and authorization for criminal background check to recruitment@farwesttxrpd.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
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Administrative Assistant
The Far West Texas Regional Public Defender is opening a new office in Del Rio and is hiring an administrative assistant.
The Del Rio office will serve Val Verde and Terrell counties and will be part the lager program that includes an office in Alpine serving Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth and Presidio Counties. We provide legal services in criminal cases to individuals who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
This position will provide support services to an office of six attorneys, two investigators, and two social workers. Duties include clerical, answering phones and greeting clients, scheduling and calendaring for the office, management of legal documents, database maintenance, and some paralegal work. The office works in an intensive team approach. As such, there will be much opportunity for professional development in the legal field.
Annual salary of $46,305. As a county-based program, employment benefits include health insurance, low-cost dental and vision coverage, and participation in the TCDRS pension system. Also included are annual leave, sick leave, and a generous holiday schedule.
Applications to be considered on a rolling basis. Start date of October 1 or later.
Qualifications
High school diploma or GED. Experience with Microsoft Office or similar software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and powerpoint. Good communication skills and accurate record keeping. Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable motor vehicle. Spanish proficiency required.
Application
Interested persons may submit a resume, references, and letter of interest by email to recruitment@farwesttxrpd.org.