County of Contra Costa
Deputy Public Defender III
County of Contra Costa, Los Angeles, California, United States,
Bargaining Unit: CCC Defenders/AttorneysWhy join the Contra Costa County Public Defender's Office?We are excited to announce that the Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office is seeking to fill two (2) Deputy Public Defender III attorneys. Our attorneys are recognized throughout the state for providing vigorous, client-centered advocacy. Deputy Public Defender III attorneys are assigned to one of the department’s various units, including the felony unit, the juvenile unit, the mental health unit, the post-conviction unit, and the research & writing unit. Come join an office that is dedicated to ensuring justice for indigent persons accused of crimes in Contra Costa County!We are looking for someone who is:Dedicated to providing excellent legal representation to clientsAble to think strategically and possesses exceptional analytical skillsSelf-motivated and passionate about courtroom litigation and trial workCreative in researching and preparing motionsAble to communicate effectively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgroundsAble to represent each client with compassion and respectWhat you will typically be responsible for:Representing clients charged with felony offensesInterviewing and advising clients on their constitutional rights, criminal charges or potential chargesDevising trial strategy and initiating necessary investigation for each caseIdentifying sentencing options and negotiating the best resolution for each clientConducting legal research and preparing necessary documentsAdvising and mentoring Deputy Public Defenders in lower classificationsA few reasons you might love this job:You thrive on taking cases to trialYou thrive in an environment that is fast-paced, multi-faceted, and demands complex thought and adaptabilityYou relish the opportunity to help clients in a compassionate, holistic mannerYou enjoy working collaboratively with supportive colleaguesYou are open and flexible to a wide array of assignmentsA few challenges you might face in this job:The emotional strain of being responsible for your clients and their cases outcomesJuggling multiple deadlines, multi-tasking, time managementAdjusting to County government functions and interplay of the departmentsCompetencies Required:Professional Integrity & Ethics
– Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountabilityHandling Stress
– Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge or adversityEstablishing Credibility
– Doing what (s)he commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by othersValuing Diversity
– Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplaceWriting
– Communicating effectively in writingOral Communication
– Engaging effectively in dialogueLicense Required:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process.Registration:
Active membership in the State Bar of CaliforniaWhen Assigned as a Deputy Public Defender III – Criminal Defense Attorney:Experience:
Either 1) three (3) years of experience in the private sector or nonprofit law office practicing criminal law or criminal appellate law; or 2) two (2) years of full-time experience as a Deputy Public Defender in a California County or the State Public Defender’s Office.Application Filing:
All applicants must apply online at
www.cccounty.us/hr
and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement and supplemental questionnaire by the final filing date.Application Evaluation:
Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be arranged to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.Training and Experience Evaluation:
Consists of an evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire.
(Weighted 100%)Final Selection Interviews:
These will be scheduled by the department once the eligible list is established.The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.CONVICTION HISTORYAfter you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.DISASTER SERVICE WORKERAll Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYIt is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
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– Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountabilityHandling Stress
– Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge or adversityEstablishing Credibility
– Doing what (s)he commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by othersValuing Diversity
– Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplaceWriting
– Communicating effectively in writingOral Communication
– Engaging effectively in dialogueLicense Required:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process.Registration:
Active membership in the State Bar of CaliforniaWhen Assigned as a Deputy Public Defender III – Criminal Defense Attorney:Experience:
Either 1) three (3) years of experience in the private sector or nonprofit law office practicing criminal law or criminal appellate law; or 2) two (2) years of full-time experience as a Deputy Public Defender in a California County or the State Public Defender’s Office.Application Filing:
All applicants must apply online at
www.cccounty.us/hr
and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement and supplemental questionnaire by the final filing date.Application Evaluation:
Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be arranged to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.Training and Experience Evaluation:
Consists of an evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire.
(Weighted 100%)Final Selection Interviews:
These will be scheduled by the department once the eligible list is established.The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.CONVICTION HISTORYAfter you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.DISASTER SERVICE WORKERAll Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYIt is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
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