Deputy Public Defender V

This examination is being given to fill 1 vacancy in the Public Defender's Office and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline. NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e‑mail. The e‑mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e‑mail often for updates. If you do not have an e‑mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via U.S. Mail.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Handles the most complex and high‑profile criminal cases involving life sentences, special circumstances, the death penalty, unique and complex scientific evidence, and cases with high public visibility or concern, including homicides, sexual assaults, violent offenses, and gang‑related crimes; performs extensive criminal litigation and demonstrates a high level of discretion and independence. Manages a demanding caseload with a strong emphasis on courtroom litigation. Develops legal strategies and manages all phases of criminal litigation, including pretrial motions, witness preparation, jury selection, examination of witnesses, courtroom arguments, directing investigations, interviewing and hiring experts and coordinating staff in the defense of such cases, and post‑trial motions. Conducts advanced legal research, analyzes and interprets new and existing laws and ordinances, court decisions, pending legislation, and other legal authorities; assists in drafting legal challenges and proposed legislation. Oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specialized projects and the defense of capital cases while mentoring attorneys and support staff through discussions on legal principles, strategic litigation planning, and procedural practices. Evaluates complex criminal cases to determine the appropriateness of legal strategies; advises and or participates in the interviewing of clients and witnesses and the collection of evidence; assesses defenses and offers sound legal guidance to clients. Prepares and reviews motions, briefs, memoranda, opinions, and criminal pleadings. Engages in negotiations and collaborative discussions with prosecutors, probation officers, case managers, and judicial officials regarding plea agreements, charge modifications, and other legal matters. May assist in the development of departmental policies and implement approved policies within the unit. May supervise attorneys, paralegals, and law clerks; assigns and monitors case assignments to provide high quality client representation, ensures effective resource allocation, and adherence to legal standards; evaluates staff performance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Active Membership in the California State Bar. Experience: Eight (8) years as a practicing criminal law attorney in California, including at least four (4) years as a Deputy Public Defender IV in San Joaquin County with focus on extensive trial litigation of serious and violent criminal cases, including homicides and sexual offenses, with demonstrated expertise in handling complex and difficult cases requiring a highly advanced degree of knowledge of the law and legal processes.

KNOWLEDGE

Advanced principles of criminal, constitutional, and civil law and their application in complex and high profile cases; trial and hearing procedures, including jury selection, examination and cross‑examination of witnesses, and legal argument; rules of evidence and standards of proof; legal research methods and resources; state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations; court procedures and practices; procedural rules governing criminal litigation; law enforcement operations and investigative procedures; ethical responsibilities of public defense attorneys; and supervisory principles.

ABILITY

Independently handle the most complex and demanding criminal cases, including violent offenses with potential life sentences, special circumstances, and death penalty cases; conduct thorough legal research and draft well‑reasoned legal documents, motions, and opinions; present compelling legal arguments in court, demonstrating advanced trial advocacy skills; analyze intricate legal issues, identify potential challenges, and develop effective case strategies; supervise and coordinate the work of staff engaged in the defense of criminal cases; manage high‑volume caseloads efficiently while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail; communicate with clients and develop and maintain positive attorney‑client relationships; work collaboratively with other agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders; communicate and cooperate with fellow staff members, agency representatives, judicial officers and the general public; exercise independent judgment, discretion and initiative.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility - Frequent operation of computers; repetitive motion; sitting for extended periods; walking; occasional driving may be required; Lifting - frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Vision - constant good overall vision and reading/close‑up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity - normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motions; Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/Psychological - frequent decision making, concentration and public contact; frequent exposure to intense emotions; Special Requirements – some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or overtime. San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is available for all plans. Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care‑Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee‑only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense. Vision Insurance: The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee‑only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense. For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at under Human Resources/Benefits. Life Insurance: 1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000 3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000 5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000 10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000 Employees may purchase additional term life insurance to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate. 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre‑tax dollars to pay for health‑related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2,550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5,000 annual limit). Retirement Plan: Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937, or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance. Deferred Compensation: The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available. Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years. Holiday: Depending on date of hire into the unit, employees earn either 10 or 14 holidays per year. Administrative Leave: Each fiscal year, department heads grant 10 days of administrative leave to eligible salaried employees – not carried beyond the end of the fiscal year. Sick Leave: 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive: An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one-half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year. Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for the death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child. Merit Salary Increase: New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step. Bilingual Pay: Employees in the Attorney unit who are designated by the appointing authority and approved by the County Administrator and who have passed a bilingual proficiency examination administered by the Human Resources Division and have otherwise qualified for bilingual compensation shall receive additional compensation of $0.41 per hour. Job Sharing: Any regular, permanent full‑time employee may agree to job‑share a position, subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources. Educational Reimbursement Program: Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career‑related coursework up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1,600 per fiscal year. Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area. School Activities: Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities. #J-18808-Ljbffr SAN-Joaquin-Count