About the Opportunity
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The Public Defender’s Office is recruiting for Felony Deputy Public Defenders (Attorney IV-V). successful candidates in this position need to be effective communicators, knowledge workers, customer focused, and care about teamwork and collaboration. The Department is searching for candidates that value and respect others, are driven to excel, demonstrate ethical behavior and are supportive of change. Felony Deputy Public Defenders provide mentorship in the department, are expected to hold themselves accountable, be innovative, and be willing to coach and develop others. Felony Deputy Public Defenders should seek to provide strong and zealous defense to members of our community who are charged with felonies.
To learn more about the Public Defender's Office,
click here .
Click here for details. ABOUT THE POSITIONFelony Deputy Public Defenders within the Public Defender’s Office collaborate in a small team with others who are assigned to the same courtroom. Together, this team represents clients charged with felonies in all facets of their case, generally keeping a case from its assignment after arraignment through completion. Felony Deputy Public Defenders secure experts, work with a team of investigators, paralegals, legal clerks, and client support specialists to ensure that their client’s stories are told, and their perspective is honored. Felony Deputy Public Defenders provide a tenacious defense to all clients charged with a felony in every aspect of the proceeding. They bring skill and experience to confront serious charges and provide excellent advocacy through preliminary hearings, motion work, and trials.
While this recruitment is open on a continuous basis, it is in the best interest of the candidate to apply as soon as possible. It may be closed at any time. In addition to other excellent County benefits, full-time Attorneys receive the following:
- Professional Development expenses reimbursed up to $900 each County fiscal year;
- Yearly state bar dues will be paid by the County; AND
- Paid professional leave up to 60 hours per year.
Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the County Attorney's Association bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.
Part-time extra-help is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is subject to overtime, standby, shift, and callback assignments and will perform related duties as assigned. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401a program.
Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at
http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.
Typical Tasks
- Interview and advise felony clients as to their constitutional rights and other pertinent information relevant to existing criminal charges or prospective criminal complaints;
- Advise clients on legal rights, including immigration consequences;
- Analyze case material, initiate investigations and interview witnesses, local authorities and others having information or testimony essential to the development and presentation of the defense;
- Conduct legal research as required;
- Study, interpret and incorporate laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases;
- Perform legal research pertinent to the work of the Public Defender's Office;
- Appear in court and represent clients charged with felonies at court hearings;
- Prepare, argue, and conduct felony jury trials and preliminary hearings;
- Confer with prosecuting staff, probation authorities and court officials to discuss pleas, modification of charges, presentation and examination of documents and material prior to trials; and
- Prepare and submit documents regarding application for probation, appeal of court findings, writs and other legal documents on behalf of clients.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)
KNOWLEDGE ATTORNEY IV - Demonstrated knowledge required in level I, II, and III plus: - The duties, powers, limitation and authority of the District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's office as applicable;
- Trials;
- Probation and sentencing rules; and
- Specialized statutes and enhancements.
ATTORNEY V - Demonstrated knowledge required in level I, II, III, and IV plus: - Advanced knowledge of specialized statutes including sentencing and enhancements;
- The duties, powers, limitation and authority of the District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office as applicable;
- Legal principles and their application;
- Trial procedures and rules of evidence; and
- Legal research methods.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
ATTORNEY IV - Demonstrated skills/abilities required in level I, II, and III plus: - Prosecute/defend all felony cases; and
- Track and document statistical data.
ATTORNEY V - Demonstrated skills/abilities required in level I, II, III, and IV plus: - Competently defend/prosecute all cases including homicides;
- Willingness to defend/prosecute capital cases;
- Assume the full range of responsibilities relating to the office;
- Apply knowledge previously learned in Level I, II III and IV; and
- Advanced legal research and writing.
We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
ATTORNEY IV - One (1) year experience as an Attorney III or equivalent; AND
- Pass California State Bar and possess valid bar license; AND
- Must complete and pass background investigation at time of initial hire.
ATTORNEY V - One (1) year experience as an Attorney IV or equivalent; AND
- Pass California State Bar and possess valid bar license; AND
- Other-- Complete and pass background investigation at time of initial hire.
Application and Selection Procedures
APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.
EXAMINATION PROCESS Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
- Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
- Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
- Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE Application Deadline:
Continuous - but may be closed at any time Oral Examination:
Will be schedule approximately every 3 weeks Application Deadline Oral Exam Date Apply by January 3, 2024 Interview week of January 8, 2024 Apply by January 24, 2024 Interview week of January 29, 2024 Apply by February 14, 2024 Interview week of February 19, 2024
Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County .
GENERAL INFORMATION Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.
Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.
Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at
http://myclubwellness.org Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.
Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .
For more detailed information on benefits please refer to the CAA MOU
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
