Associate Deputy Public Defender

Alameda County, CA; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension/Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Alameda County Public Defender's Office seeks an Associate Deputy Public Defender to vigorously advocate for clients in criminal and juvenile proceedings in Alameda County. The role includes defending indigent clients, handling related civil matters when appointed, and contributing to a holistic defense strategy.

Qualified candidates will be licensed to practice law in California and possess a deep understanding of public defense ethics, trial procedures, and evidence rules.

Qualifications

• Active California State Bar in good standing.
• Knowledge of California statutory and constitutional law.
• Experience handling criminal and juvenile cases.

Responsibilities

• Represent defendants in criminal and juvenile cases and in related civil matters as assigned.
• Prepare, file, and argue motions and briefs with clear written and oral advocacy.
• Maintain organized case files and provide timely status updates to clients and supervisors.

Skills

Public defense knowledge

Legal research & writing

Oral advocacy

Ethical practice

Education

Active California State Bar member in good standing

Job description

DESCRIPTION

THE DEPARTMENT

The Alameda County Public Defender's Office provides the highest quality of indigent criminal defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in adult and juvenile court. Our mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all. The Alameda County Office is one of the oldest Public Defender offices in the nation, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Today, our team of more than 120 attorneys, 19 investigators, 12 social workers, 8 client advocates, and 50 support staff handle approximately 30,000 cases per year providing innovative, holistic defense services for Alameda County residents. In 2012, the office was named the 'Best Law Firm' in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office (ACPDO) strives to provide its clients with comprehensive holistic defense services. ACPDO provides zealous, client-centered legal representation and rehabilitative wrap-around services in lieu of incarceration. Holistic criminal defense is a client-centered, interdisciplinary approach to legal representation that addresses the underlying social and environmental factors contributing to a person's involvement in the criminal legal system. It moves beyond traditional legal representation to offer a broader range of support, aiming to improve overall outcomes for individuals and communities. For additional info, please visit: http://www.acgov.org/defender/

THE POSITION

Associate Deputy Public Defenders are the attorneys for defendants in certain criminal and juvenile cases, and represent litigants in certain civil proceedings, such as involuntary mental illness commitment proceedings, as accepted by the Public Defender or on appointment by the court and assignment by the Public Defender. They perform all related legal work as required and authorized by the Public Defender. For additional information on the position, please visit: Associate Deputy Public Defender (#3110).

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas: Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the philosophy and practice of public defense, laws, ethics and policies of the Public Defender’s Office and scope and character of California Statutory and constitutional law. Strong ability to identify and understand complex legal problems and concepts, apply logical thinking and methods to gathering and analyzing evidence and information. Outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple on-going cases, as well as the ability to provide status updates on cases and hearings at a moment’s notice. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to communicate with diverse individuals and proven experience in delivering legal arguments that are effective in both written and oral form. Consider and anticipate multiple factors and the potential consequences when making decisions. Consistently maintain effectiveness when experiencing change in work responsibilities, priorities, and deadlines and take prompt action to accomplish objectives. Proven ability to remain flexible, open, and positive while handling needs of Clients and demands of the Court. Foster and maintain effective client relationships to ensure that all clients’ needs are thoroughly identified, properly addressed, and handled in a fair and equitable manner consistent with the principles and practices of the Public Defender’s Office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current active membership and good standing with the California State Bar. � � �

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Philosophy and practice of public defense in the United States.
• Laws, ethics, and policies governing the Public Defender's Office.
• Principles of training and supervision.
• Legal principles and procedures followed in the handling of criminal and juvenile cases, including rules of evidence, trial litigation, and appellate procedure.
• Scope and character of California statutory and constitutional law.
• Principles of public administration and personnel management.
• Legal source materials.

Abilities:

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Gather, analyze and apply legal data and evidence.
• Present legal arguments effectively in oral and written form.
• Inspire confidence in clients and working effectively with colleagues and representatives of other agencies.
• Handle legal correspondence and procedures with tact and accuracy.
• Appropriate decision making.
• Interpersonal sensitivity.
• Flexibility.
• Performance in a stressful environment.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS: A review of candidates' application to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the final step in the examination process. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises. Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS. Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

• Deadline for Filing: 5:00:00 PM, Friday, December 4, 2026
• Review of Minimum Qualifications: By Monday, December 7, 2026
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified: Week of January 25, 2027
• Oral Examination: Week of February 8, 2027

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/reasonable-accommodation/.

BENEFITS

For your Health & Well-Being:

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future:

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance:

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1st United Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.� This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

**Employees in management-designated classifications may be entitled to management paid leave.� Refer to the applicable MOU or Salary Ordinance for more information.

Disaster Service Worker

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.� Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.� Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity� Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.