Deputy Public Defender II/III/IV

Join our team and help defend the rights and dignity of our clients to ensure equitable access to justice through holistic representation while reunifying families and communities. Automatic Promotion Automatic promotion to Deputy Public Defender II, upon a successful work performance evaluation. Salary and Benefits Employees are eligible for merit-based step increases within the salary range, up to the maximum step. Salary ranges: Deputy Public Defender II: $112,382.40 - $124,072.00 annually Deputy Public Defender III: $130,249.60 - $143,748.80 annually Deputy Public Defender IV: $154,544.00 - $207,584.00 annually Additional benefits include excellent benefits; review summary of benefits and memorandum of understanding. Flexible Schedule Attorneys may have the opportunity to work a flexible 9/80 work schedule. Location Incentives Candidates assigned to the Victorville or Joshua Tree offices may receive an additional incentive of $77 per pay period ($2002 annually). See memorandum of understanding for details and criteria. Position Overview The Office of the Public Defender is recruiting for Deputy Public Defenders II, III, and IV. These positions offer an exciting opportunity for a challenging career in criminal trial work. Incumbents represent indigent defendants and provide skilled legal counsel and courtroom advocacy at all critical phases of state level criminal and civil commitment litigation. Public Defenders conduct legal research, prepare and argue motions, writs, briefs and opinions; interview and counsel clients; participate in developing effective investigation plans for clients; negotiate with opposing counsel; and prepare and conduct trials. Language Requirements Spanish-English bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation for bilingual skills. Initial Appointment Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for Deputy Public Defender II, III, and IV. Job offers for the initial appointment may be made at any level based on qualifications and department needs. It is to your advantage to be explicit with your work history on your application. The Deputy Public Defender series accelerated advancement up to IV level is described in the Attorney MOU (page 58). Conditions of Employment Assignment: Assignments may be made at any location throughout the County depending on the needs of the department. Background: Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, prior to appointment. State Bar: Those hired must be active members in good standing with the State Bar of California and maintain status. Promotion: Deputy Public Defender I positions are eligible for promotion to Deputy Public Defender II, III, or IV upon meeting the minimum requirements and receiving a satisfactory work performance evaluation. Visa Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future. License: Active membership and in good standing with the State Bar of California. (Members with inactive status or licensed out of state pending California Bar results are welcome to apply. Active California Bar license required prior to hire.) Experience: Deputy Public Defender II: Six months of criminal trial experience as an attorney, or one year of trial experience. Deputy Public Defender III: Eighteen months of criminal trial experience, or two years. Deputy Public Defender IV: Thirty months of criminal trial experience, or three years. Ideal candidates will have performed community service and volunteered working with indigent defendants and family members. Bilingual candidates are encouraged. Competitive Evaluation A competitive evaluation of qualifications will be conducted based on application materials. Equal Employment Opportunity San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline. Veterans’ Preference Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, refer to Veterans' Preference Policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr SAN-Bernardino-Count