Deputy Public Defender I-IV

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Woodland, CA
Job Type: Regular / Full Time
Job Number: 2026-DPDI-IV
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 04/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: A


DESCRIPTION
The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill two (2) regular, full-time positions in the class of Deputy Public Defender I - IV at the Public Defender's Office. Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list that will be utilized to fill the department's current vacancies as well as for future vacancies as they become available.

The level of which a candidate is placed is dependent on their background and experience. The salary range for each classification level is as follows:
Deputy Public Defender I $96,033.60 - $116,708.80 Annually
Deputy Public Defender II $118,081.60 - $143,540.80 Annually
Deputy Public Defender III $145,392.00 - $176,737.60 Annually
Deputy Public Defender IV $170,705.60 - $207,500.80 Annually

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are required to submit an online County of Yolo Employment Application, responses to supplemental questions, and proof of active membership with the State Bar of California or verification of education. For important and detailed information regarding the application and selection process for this recruitment, please see the APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS section of this job announcement below.


Note Early Competition Option: Applicants that will take the July 2026 bar examination are WELCOME to apply. However, any offer of employment will be contingent upon proof of membership in the State Bar of California.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS


To view the full job description for each level, please see links below.

Note: The Public Defender's Office participates in the

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Deputy Public Defender I
Experience: No experience required.
Licensure: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Deputy Public Defender II
Experience: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law; One (1) year of experience as an entry-level attorney in any county in the State of California.
License: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Deputy Public Defender III
Experience: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law; One (1) year of experience as journey-level attorney in any county in the State of California.
License: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Deputy Public Defender IV
Experience: Four (4) years of experience in the practice of law; OR Three (3) years of experience as an attorney with the County of Yolo.
Licensure: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Driver's License (For All Levels): Positions in this classification require incumbents to possess and maintain a valid California driver's license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
It is highly recommended that you print this job bulletin for future reference.

Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Application information must be current, concise, and related to the requirements in this job announcement. A resume may be included with your application; however, it will not substitute for the information requested on the application. In addition to an employment application, applicants are required to submit a supplemental questionnaire and proof of active membership (e.g., results notice) in the State Bar of California or verification of education. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
SELECTION PROCEDURE The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process. The selection process steps, and all listed dates, may change with or without notice.

• Screening for Minimum Qualifications - First review will be completed on 5/13/2026
• Screening for Best Qualified
• Department Selection Interviews
• Reference Checks
• Conditional Job Offer, pending:
  
  • Pre-Employment Exams: Drug & Alcohol Screen
  • Department of Justice LiveScan
• Confirmed Job Offer

Screening for Best Qualified:The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification. If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely. Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question. Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant's education, training, and experience will be evaluated to determine those applicants that are best qualified.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about the position or about employment with the County, please contact Human Resources by e-mail at or by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of the County of Yolo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. The County will comply with all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants. Reasonable testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities or who are unable to attend a scheduled test due to religious reasons in accordance with the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call the County of Yolo Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled test date to request accommodation. Documentation from a medical doctor, rehabilitation counselor, or other qualified professional will be required.
Yolo County, a place where YOU belong!

The average person spends one third of their life at work. Why not spend that time in an environment where you are seen for who you are, celebrated for the diversity you bring, and valued for your potential to contribute to an innovative and dynamic workforce? Yolo County is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable workplace which supports and values our diverse community.

Come join us! This is where YOU belong.
RETIREMENT

Were you hired into a CalPERS or other public agency reciprocal system for the first time on or before January 1, 2013? If so, you most likely have "Classic" member status. Classic members of CalPERS (or CalPERS reciprocal) agencies who come to work for Yolo County will remain Classic members!

• "Classic" member CalPERS retirement formulas are:
  Misc: 2.5% at 55
  Safety: 3.0% at 55
  Deputy Sheriff Safety: 3.0% at 50
• "New" member CalPERS retirement formulas (for employees hired into a CalPERS agency for the first time after January 1, 2013) are:
  Misc: 2% @ 62
  Safety: 2.7% @ 57

BENEFITS

The County of Yolo offers a generous benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• CalPERS Retirement
• Deferred Compensation Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation, Sick, and Administrative Leave
• Holidays & Floating Holidays
• Disability Plans
• Social Security & Medicare

Benefits for County positions are specific to the bargaining unit of the position. Review the job opportunity information to find the bargaining unit code or search the which identifies the bargaining unit for each County classification.

Once you've identified the bargaining unit, you can look up the MOU and benefits for a particular position by going to our Benefits by Bargaining Unit summary on the webpage.
01


The job bulletin for this class outlines the steps in the application and selection process, and contains all necessary information that an applicant will need to complete and submit a complete application packet. Complete application packets MUST be submitted prior to the final filing date. Candidates will not be given additional time to submit additional information. I have read and certify that I understand the application instructions for this position. I understand that all required documents must be submitted by the final filing date, and I have reviewed the job bulletin to ensure I understand what is required to submit a complete application packet.

• Yes
• No

02


I have read the above instructions and understand that my responses to the supplemental questions are required, and my responses will be used to determine the best qualified candidates for this job. I certify that my responses are accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that should my name be placed on an eligible list and it is later found that my responses are inaccurate, my name will be immediately removed from the eligible list and I will be deemed ineligible for consideration for employment in this class with Yolo County.

• Yes
• No

03


Are you an active member of the State Bar of California?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "yes" to supplemental question #3, please list your CA State Bar number or "N/A" below.
05


If you answered 'No' to Supplemental Question #3, please certify that you are a law school graduate currently awaiting results from the California State Bar Exam, with an anticipated release date in May of 2026.

• Yes, I certify.
• Not Applicable. I am an active member of the State Bar of California

06


How much full-time experience do you have practicing law, including any experience working in a California county office, such as a Public Defender's Office?

• Less than six (6) months of experience
• More than six (6) months but less than twelve (12) months of experience
• More than one (1) year but less than two (2) years of experience
• More than two (2) years but less than three (3) years of experience
• More than three (3) years but less than four (4) years of experience
• More than four (4) years but less than five (5) years of experience
• More than five (5) years of experience
• None

07


How have your life experiences impacted your desire and/or prepared you to become a Public Defender?
08


What do you know about the Yolo County Public Defender's Office, and why do you believe you would be a strong fit for this role?
Required Question