Job Details

SALARY

$124,829.12 - $150,766.72 Annually

Bilingual allowance when applicable.

The Public Defender's Office is accepting applications to fill two full-time Deputy Public Defender III vacancies in Santa Barbara. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please be sure to select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies.

The Public Defender's Office has offices in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria. Applicants must be willing to travel to and accept assignments at all locations. To be considered, all applicants must check All locations in the application and supplemental questionnaire.

To learn more about us, visit here.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 12 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 5.
• Life Insurance: $20,000 Term Life Insurance.
• Retirement: The County offers a Defined Benefit Plan and voluntary participation in a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. The County contributes 0.24% of base salary to a 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan.

For more information on County Benefits, click here.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

THE LAW OFFICES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S MISSION: The County of Santa Barbara Public Defenders represents people living in poverty and who have been traditionally marginalized from a holistic and client-centered perspective. We stand with our clients every day in many courtrooms and now Zoom rooms across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc. We enhance public safety by holding the legal system to uphold the constitutional and statutory rights of our community and honor their spaces, stories, and struggles.

THE POSITION: Under direction, the selected candidate interviews, advises, and represents clients in authorized criminal and civil cases; structures and directs investigations; prepares trials, pleadings, and motions; tries cases before court and jury; effectively presents sentencing and disposition positions on behalf of clients; and performs related duties as required and appropriate.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV/Senior is a flexibly staffed series. Advancement within the series is dependent upon both seniority and performance.

The Deputy Public Defender III level incumbents must have demonstrated competency in trial work by handling a major number of litigations. At the III level, incumbents are able to represent clients in all but the most complex and serious matters. Typical duties may include assignment to serious misdemeanor trials, major felony trials, juvenile court cases, or civil trials.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: Will have a proven track record demonstrating their knowledge of:

• The principles of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice;
• The methods of legal research and writing;
• The rules of evidence.

The successful applicant will also have the ability to:

• Gather and evaluate complex data and draw logical conclusions;
• Evaluate facts and formulate an effective course of action;
• Read, interpret, and apply the principles contained in the State and Federal Constitutions, statutes, published court decisions, and other relevant legal precedent;
• Orally communicate complex information and concepts to persons of divergent socio-economic and cultural backgrounds;
• Present persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner;
• Interrogate and cross-examine witnesses in the courtroom;
• Write clearly and concisely;
• Organize large quantities of complex material in a logical manner for presentation in court;
• Effectively and logically present evidence in complicated criminal proceedings;
• Recognize and evaluate approaches to situations of a potentially sensitive nature;
• Provide excellent and courteous customer service, and establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Work independently under general supervision; think creatively;
• Develop new methods, procedures, or approaches to achieve desired results;
• Effectively use office computers and/or database systems;
• Some positions may require the ability to train, review, and supervise minimally the work of less experienced attorneys.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Active membership in the State Bar of California and possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License for all levels; and not less than:
• Two years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or four years as a general practicing attorney; OR,
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy Public Defender II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their supplemental questionnaire.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking examination to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of twelve (12) months.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 1/6/2025 at 4:59 PM PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst II – ...@countyofsb.org