Deputy Public Defender I

Salary : $98,910.24 - $119,121.60 Annually

Location : Santa Maria, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25-2300-01 (O)

Department : Public Defender

Opening Date : 02 / 26 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 12 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

SALARY

98,910.24 - $119,121.60 Annually

Bilingual allowance when applicable

We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Deputy Public Defender I position located in Santa Maria for the Public Defender's Office.

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, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Applicants must be willing to travel to and be transferred to all locations depending on the needs of the Department.

THE LAW OFFICES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S MISSION :

The County of Santa Barbara Public Defender's Office provides legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime and who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, as well as those subject to civil mental health commitments and other proceedings where their liberty is at stake. Our lawyers employ a holistic approach to criminal defense that draws from traditional and non-traditional legal representation models. Our clients have access to an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, legal office professionals, investigators, advocates and IT personnel, who strive to reduce their exposure to the criminal justice system, mitigate collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and transform lives by addressing the social ills that contribute to justice system involvement. Our advocacy often extends beyond conducting courtroom hearings and trials, as we aim to seek individualized solutions to the complex problems faced by our clients.

To learn more about us, visit

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.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for :

Click on the Benefits Tab above or click here for more information on County benefits for this position.

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.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have :

Examples of Duties

Employment Standards

Active membership in the State Bar of California AND not less than :

Knowledge of : the principles of criminal and civil law and their application; legal research methods; the organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions; California civil and criminal codes; the U.S. and California Constitutions; rules of evidence, trial procedures; administrative law; ethical and professional rules of conduct; negotiating techniques.

Ability to : perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles and precedents, facts, and evidence to legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and effectively, in both written and oral format; work cooperatively with and represent persons from a wide variety of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; maintain confidentiality and objectivity; work effectively with others, often under stressful conditions; manage a caseload; interview witnesses; negotiate settlements; present and conduct trials; understand and apply policies and practices.

Desirable Qualifications : The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish and / or Mixteco is desirable. Note : You must self-certify on the application form that you are fluent in English and Spanish and / or Mixteco. Hiring departments will test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment lists.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS :

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. At the time the employment list is established, all qualified candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

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. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS : Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this position (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of : (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must : (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the Application & Selection process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

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. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of twelve (12) months.

Disaster Service Worker : Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment

The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and / or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE : 03 / 12 / 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 - erkuhn@countyofsb.org

Retirement Plans

Health Benefits

Paid Time Off

Miscellaneous Benefits

Compensation Summary

I acknowledge it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge, if the County determines I do not meet the employment standards, there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meet the employment standards at the time I submit my application.

As part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The Human Resources Department communicates with all applicants through email. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly, it is current, and that you check spam filters continuously during the recruitment and selection process to ensure you do not miss required deadlines.

The current vacancy is based in Santa Maria. There may be future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please be sure to select all locations where you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. Note - travel to all these locations may be required depending on the needs of the department.

This position requires that you have an active membership in the State Bar of California at the time of application. Please select the option that best describes your current status.

If you have an active membership with the California State Bar, please provide the date it was issued and license number. The hiring department may request a copy for verification. If you do not have an active membership, type "N / A."

This position requires at the time of application that you have completed courses required for a law degree. Please select which best describes your law degree.

If you have completed your law degree or completed the core courses for a law degree, please list the title and level of degree obtained. If you have not completed your law degree, list all of your core coursework completed. Please type "N / A" if this is not applicable.

The following questions are a Civil Service Examination . Please read and answer them carefully. I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions below will be used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613 : https : / / www.countyofsb.org / 1444 / Civil-Service-Rules.

Do you have experience working in an environment with multiple situations occurring simultaneously?

Select the ONE choice that most accurately reflects any experience you may possess working in a Public Defender's Office (full details of this experience / position(s) should be on your completed application).

Select the ONE choice that most accurately reflects any experience you possess filing criminal law motions on behalf of clients. This choice should indicate your role and responsibility for representing the client (full details of this experience / position(s) should be on your completed application). Substantive motions to consider are 1538.5, 995, Motions in Limine, et al.

Select all the choices that most accurately reflect your experiences working with people of diverse cultures and economic backgrounds (Select all that apply).

Required Question

Salary : $98,910 - $119,122