County of Sonoma
Deputy Public Defender II - Extra-Help
County of Sonoma, Santa Rosa, California, us, 95402
Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office.Starting salary negotiable up to $83.48/hour!This extra-help (temporary) Deputy Public Defender position can be filled at the I, II, III, or IV level, depending on the candidate's qualifications. As attorneys gain experience and meet or exceed performance standards, they are eligible for promotion to subsequent levels in the series, up to level IV. If you are interested in being considered at the various levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitments being conducted for those levels. Deputy Public Defender II is the journey level class in the Deputy Public Defender series, working under general supervision.The Public Defender's Office has the mandated responsibility of defending any person who is not financially able to employ counsel and who is charged with any contempt or offense triable in the superior or municipal courts. Additionally, the Public Defender represents qualified individuals in probate and welfare proceedings, and may represent any person who is not financially able to employ counsel in proceedings relating to the nature or conditions of detention prior to adjudication.When you join the Office as an extra-help Deputy Public Defender II, you will perform legal work involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. Using your independent judgment and initiative, you will work directly with clients and:Investigate, research, prepare, and defend criminal and/or civil casesInterpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefsPrepare pleadings and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedingsConduct general legal researchInterview and advise witnessesAs the ideal candidate, you will have a substantial interest in criminal defense work and possess:At least one year of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorneyImpeccable research and writing abilitiesKnowledge of post-conviction relief, including writs and appealsDemonstrable excellence in public speakingExperience in and/or with a Public Defender's officeCompletion of any California Public Defender's Association training seminars (desirable but not required)EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENTExtra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.This recruitment is being conducted to fill an extra-help (temporary) Deputy Public Defender position in the Public Defender's Office at either the I, II, III, or IV level. The employment list established from this Deputy Public Defender II recruitment may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum QualificationsExperience:
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of legal experience practicing as a licensed attorney in a position comparable to a Deputy Public Defender I in Sonoma County; or equivalent experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney generally would provide such opportunity.Professional License:
Current active membership in the State Bar of California.License:
Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesWorking knowledge of:
the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.Ability to:
consistently prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form in legal matters; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law enforcement agency officials, and the general public; understand and accept differences in human behavior, and cultural and ethnic background.Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When ApplyingYour application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:An
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination
(pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONA background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.HOW TO APPLYApplications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.HR Analyst: DPHR Technician: EV
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Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of legal experience practicing as a licensed attorney in a position comparable to a Deputy Public Defender I in Sonoma County; or equivalent experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney generally would provide such opportunity.Professional License:
Current active membership in the State Bar of California.License:
Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesWorking knowledge of:
the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.Ability to:
consistently prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form in legal matters; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law enforcement agency officials, and the general public; understand and accept differences in human behavior, and cultural and ethnic background.Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When ApplyingYour application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:An
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination
(pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONA background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.HOW TO APPLYApplications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.HR Analyst: DPHR Technician: EV
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