Deputy District Attorney Senior

The ideal candidate will have seven years' experience as a deputy district attorney and significant trial experience in complex prosecutions, including but not limited to gang prosecutions, sexual assault, domestic violence, and homicides. This experience must include complex legal research and writing. In addition, the candidate will have experience working closely with criminal justice partners and will have good communication and relationship building skills.

About the Department:  The Mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney has offices in three locations in the County: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The office embodies a "team" approach to fighting crime, where Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The office is also dedicated to the ongoing training and skill development of Deputy District Attorneys as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County: Gangs, Vulnerable Victims, and White Collar Crime. In addition, specialty courts such as DUI Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Restorative Justice Court and Veterans' Court allow for collaboration between Deputy District Attorneys and other Court staff to improve the success rate of rehabilitation for criminal defendants in addition to reducing crime.  To learn more about the Office of the Santa Barbara District Attorney, please visit: http://www.countyofsb.org/da/index.html

1. Interviews and advises complainants and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions;
2. Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in prosecuting cases;
3. Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and judgment and prosecutes a variety of cases;
4. Performs related work such as preparing petitions, complaints, reports, and correspondence.

Active membership in the State Bar of California and,

1. Five years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney IV with Santa Barbara County; or, 
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and California license.

(As a general guideline, employees would normally develop sufficient knowledge and an ability to be considered for this class after the employee has been in the top step of the range of Deputy District Attorney IV for two years.)

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of appointment may be required.

Knowledge of: the organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law.

Ability to: appraise, interpret, and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form, prepare, present and conduct trials effectively; perform legal research; work effectively with others.SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking.  Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.  This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment 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 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 do require verifications 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.

Conditional Job Offer:  Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of twelve (12) months. 

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. 

Disaster Service Workers: 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.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, click on Benefits Tab above or HERE. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate  

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Monday, February 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM PST; Postmarks are not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.




Collin Graham, Talent Acquisition Analyst: cgraham@countyofsb.org

Salary : $163,430 - $225,549