Deputy District Attorney I, Limited Duration (Part Time or Full Time)

Job Description

Summary

Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office to seek justice, advance public safety and uphold the law. We strive to maintain public trust and serve the people of Deschutes County with fairness, integrity and honor.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The District Attorney’s Office represents the State of Oregon in all criminal cases filed in Deschutes County. The District Attorney and a team of Deputy District Attorneys are responsible for evaluating the investigative reports submitted by local, state, and federal agencies and determine whether justice and public safety require prosecution. We serve the people of Deschutes County by promoting justice, strengthening community safety, and increasing trust in the legal system. While we represent the State of Oregon in criminal matters, we also partner with community organizations, law enforcement, service providers, and victims to achieve outcomes that are fair, effective, and equitable. We balance the use of both traditional prosecution and innovative alternatives, which are community-centered and trauma-informed. We embrace diverse backgrounds and perspectives to realize justice and foster professional growth and collaboration. Join our dedicated team to make a meaningful impact.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:
The Special Programs Deputy District Attorney I will serve as a critical member for two Deschutes County District Attorney's Office initiatives: the Emerging Adult Program and the Justice Reinvestment Program. The Emerging Adult Program (EAP) safely and effectively reduces the charging of cases involving young adults (18-25 years old) through restorative justice that focuses on offender accountability, improving victim outcomes, and public safety.
The EAP DDA is responsible for legal review of cases and program management. The DDA will analyze, prepare, and dispose of criminal cases involving young adults, and will review, monitor and track these cases to determine program eligibility. The DDA will also serve as the co-program manager, helping to manage program operations, data tracking, volunteer and team training, to directly support the program’s implementation. The incumbent is expected to comply with all legal practices and standards, as well as office policy, and will inform other DDAs about the EAP program and criminal justice reform initiatives.

All ineligible and revoked EAP cases will be referred to another DDA for prosecution.

The EAP DDA will work in close partnership with the EAP victim advocate and management analyst at the DA's Office, and our partnering EAP team members including Thrive Central Oregon’s support specialist, Restorative Justice and Equity’s (RJ & E) director, restorative justice specialist, and EAP coordinator, including a team of community volunteers. This very collaborative inter-disciplinary team develops, implements, and tracks the EAP restorative justice grant program.

The position will work under the direction of the Chief Deputy District Attorney and the EAP Program Director. The Chief DDA will assign some work, review performance, and provide consultation on cases. The EAP program manager will assign program-related work, assist in the performance review, and provide consultation related to program management.

Goals for the EAP DDA:

• Support restorative justice outcomes.
• Identify and offer timely screening of all possible candidates for EAP participation.
• Maintain community safety and justice.
• Support program implementation and community engagement.
• Improve victim (harmed party) and offender (responsible party) outcomes.
• Reduce young adult cases entering the traditional criminal justice system.

The Justice Reinvestment Program (JRP) goal is to assess individuals for a continuum of community-based sanctions, services, and programs that will maintain public safety and accountability, while simultaneously reduce recidivism and state prison usage.

The JRP DDA position is responsible for the legal review of cases for downward dispositional departure sentencing. The DDA will identify and analyze criminal cases of individuals potentially eligible for Downward Departure release, and request Defendant Assessment Reports as need to guide plea negotiations and to develop sentencing recommendations for the Court to offer downward departure and JRP supervision. The JRP DDA will review, monitor, and track these cases to determine continued program eligibility, and will work with other DDA’s to ensure continuity and equity of individuals referred to the program.

The DDA will serve as the DA Office program liaison working closely with Parole and Probation, law enforcement, Defense and the Courts to support program operations, track data, analyze prison intakes, and directly implementation program operations. This collaborative inter-disciplinary team implements and tracks the JRP downward departure initiative.

The incumbent is expected to comply with all legal practices and standards, as well as office policy, and will provide training to the office on the JRP and criminal justice reform initiatives. The position will work under the direction of the Chief Deputy District Attorney.

Goals for the JRP DDA:

• Support JRP program goals outcomes.
• Identify and request timely screening of all possible candidates for JRP Downward Departure participation.
• Guiding plea negotiations and developing sentencing recommendations.
• Maintain community safety and justice.
• Support program implementation.
• Track cases and downward departure impacts.

The DA Office’s preference is to hire one individual, to split their time between the two programs to create a fulltime, limited duration opportunity; however, if two strong candidates are identified in the same hiring process and both are interested in part-time work, the Office would consider a job share with one DDA per program.

This position is located in Deschutes County and may be eligible for a hybrid of in-office/remote work as allowed by policy, program needs and supervisor approval.

The DDA will primarily focus on EAP work 20 hours a week scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The JRP work is also 20 hours a week with the work happening full day on Tuesdays and Fridays. The half-day is based on when the EAP schedule is quieter, evaluated weekly, based on each program’s needs. Depending on the program schedule, work will be performed at the DA's Office/Deschutes County Courthouse (downtown), at RJ & E (Latino Community Association Building/NE), or virtually.
Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, review, determine eligibility and monitor case program progression , while maintaining close observation of revocation and recidivism.
• Oversee daily program management, and assist with grant operations, while working closely with the internal EAP team, other DDA’s, program partners, stakeholders, and community volunteers.
• Track and collect statistical information and data on performance measures, technology, and policy issues; prepare reports reflecting study conclusions and recommendations.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Criminal law and the practices and procedures of criminal prosecution, legal research methods, applicable rules, codes, and regulations for area of assignment.
• Principles and techniques for program development and implementation, file record keeping, and data management.
• Operating a personal computer, utilizing standard (Microsoft Office Suite) and specialized software (Zoom, Cognito Forms, Karpel, or similar), and entering information into a computer system with speed and accuracy.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying legal principles and procedures.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing, working with minimum supervision, and using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, and agencies at all times.
• Analyzing and handling administrative and operational duties, interpreting policies and regulations, evaluating data and alternatives, and recommending changes based on findings.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE . Additional information regarding the District Attorney's Office and the position can be found by clicking HERE .

Compensation

Part Time:
$4,090.27 to $5,481.36 per month for an 86.34-hour work month.

Full Time:
$8,180.07 to $10,962.08 per month for a 172.67-hour work month.

This is a limited-duration employment position as defined by Deschutes County HR Personnel Rules 2.010. The position has identified funding through August 31, 2027. Extending the position beyond August 31, 2027 will depend on a continued business need for the position and approval of additional funding. Should this occur, the County may at a later date extend the position end date or offer regular employment status to the incumbent in this position.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:

Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $100 per month for employee only or $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree required; this serves as an entry-level law position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and belief in the impact of restorative justice and criminal justice reform.
• Experience coordinating or managing complex programs and meeting programmatic metrics.
• Experience with grant management, funding and reporting, and contract management.
• Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of criminal court experience.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of professional work experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) and CJIS certification from the State of Oregon are required within six months of hire.

Must pass a pre-qualifying driving record review and criminal history background.

Background Investigation.
A successful candidate will complete a full background investigation prior to receiving a conditional job offer.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit our Benefits page and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.

Closing Date/Time: 9/23/2026 12:00 AM Pacific