ATTORNEY I - PUBLIC DEFENDER

County of Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ Public Defender’s Office is seeking licensed attorneys for Attorney I–IV positions. This public defense agency emphasizes courageous, client-centered representation and interdisciplinary collaboration with investigators, social workers, and support staff to provide holistic defense.

Attorneys will handle a wide range of criminal matters, develop defense strategies, litigate motions, and try cases under the supervision of senior attorneys.

Qualifications

• Graduation from law school. Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar, but need no experience practicing law and will work under the direction of a more experienced attorney.
• One year of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.

Responsibilities

Skills

California Bar admission

Criminal law experience

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

ATTORNEY I-IVPUBLIC DEFENDER

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

To apply, go directly to: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

Final Filing Date: Friday, November 20, 2026

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embracesindividuals of every status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access,

fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

COURAGEOUS. COMPASSIONATE. CLIENT-CENTERED.Join a team of defenders committed to reimagining public defense.

At the Santa Cruz County Public Defender’s Office, we believe that exceptionaldefense means more than protecting our clients’ rights in the courtroom. It meanslistening to their stories, honoring their humanity, amplifying their voices, andstanding beside them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Our mission is to courageously defend the accused, demand equal justice for all, andempower our clients through inspired advocacy in the courtroom and community.

We are building a model public defense agency that pairs zealous courtroomadvocacy with holistic, client-centered representation. Our attorneys work alongsideinvestigators, social workers, client advocates, paralegals, and support staff toprovide an interdisciplinary defense that addresses both the criminal charges ourclients face and the broader consequences of involvement in the criminal legalsystem.

We are looking for attorneys who are passionate about defending people,challenging injustice, and making a meaningful difference in their clients’ lives.

Whether you are a new attorney eager to develop your courtroom skills or anexperienced defender ready to take on serious and complex cases, our office offersopportunities to grow as a litigator and advocate. Attorneys handle a wide range ofcriminal matters, develop creative defense strategies, litigate motions, and try caseswhile working alongside colleagues who share a deep commitment to publicdefense.

Led by Public Defender Heather Rogers, our office values collaboration, professionalgrowth, and mutual support. We recognize that excellent representation requiresinvesting in our defenders, providing meaningful opportunities for mentorship anddevelopment, and creating a workplace where attorneys can do challenging,important work as part of a supportive team.

We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Santa Cruz County and arecommitted to advancing racial and social justice, confronting systemic inequities,and ensuring that the quality of a person’s defense is never determined by theirability to pay.

If you believe in the power of public defense to change lives, we hope you’ll join us.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAny combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledgeand abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities wouldbe:

Attorney I: Graduation from law school. Incumbents are required to be members of theCalifornia State Bar, but need no experience practicing law and will work under thedirection of a more experienced attorney.

Attorney II: One year of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*

Attorney III: Two years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*

Attorney IV: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*

*Experience in the practice of civil law may be substituted for criminal law for positionsassigned to applicable divisions.

Special Requirements: Membership in the California State Bar is required for all levels.

NOTE: For Attorney I, law school graduates who have taken the California Bar Exam andnot yet received their results, may participate in a recruitment/examination process.Names of candidates who pass the County examination will be placed "inactive" on theeligible list until the County receives written confirmation of their passing the California

To see full job specification, including knowledge and abilities, please click below:

THE VALUES THAT GUIDE OUR WORKWe seek attorneys who share our commitment to courageous,compassionate, and client-centered representation. Successful defenders inour office bring:

A Commitment to Indigent Defense: A deep belief that the constitutionalright to counsel means more than the appointment of an attorney—itmeans exceptional legal representation, respect for the dignity of everyclient, and a commitment to challenging injustice and systemic inequities.Zealous and Creative Advocacy: The ability and determination toinvestigate cases thoroughly, challenge the prosecution’s evidence,litigate contested issues, and pursue the best possible outcomes forclients.Client-Centered Representation: A commitment to building trustingattorney-client relationships, listening without judgment, respecting clientautonomy, and ensuring clients have a meaningful voice in decisionsaffecting their lives.

https://www.jobapscloud.com/SCRUZ/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=JG1

Commitment to Holistic Defense and Collaboration: A willingness to workcollaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, investigators,social workers, client advocates, and other professionals to providecomprehensive, client-centered representation that addresses both ourclients’ legal needs and the broader challenges affecting their lives.Strong Litigation Skills and Sound Judgment: The ability to analyzecomplex legal and factual issues, develop persuasive defense strategies,and advocate effectively in negotiations, motions practice, and trials.Cultural Humility and Awareness: An understanding of how poverty,racism, trauma, disability, and other systemic barriers affect our clients,together with a commitment to culturally responsive advocacy.Resilience, Initiative, and Growth: The ability to manage challengingcaseloads, take ownership of cases, seek feedback, support colleagues,and continually develop as a defender.

THE VALUES THAT GUIDE OUR WORK (CONTINUED)

The supplemental questions are designed specifically for this recruitment. Applicationsreceived without the required supplemental information will be screened out of the selection process. Employment experiences referred to in your response must also beincluded in the Employment History section of the application.

NOTE: Please answer the question(s) below as completely and thoroughly as possible, asyour answers may be used to assess your qualifications for movement to the next stepin the recruitment process.

1. Indicate your CA State Bar membership number and the date you were admitted to the Bar.

2. How many years have you practiced law?□ less than 1 year □ 1 year □ 2 years □ 3 years □ 4 years □ 5 years □ 6 years□ 7 years □ 8 years □ 9 years □ 10+ years

3. How many years have you been an attorney in a Public Defender’s Office?□ less than 1 year □ 1 year □ 2 years □ 3 years □ 4 years □ 5 years □ 6 years□ 7 years □ 8 years □ 9 years □ 10+ years

4. Describe your experience practicing client-centered indigent defense. Be specificabout your responsibilities, caseload, and related experience. If applicable, describeyour supervision experience, including the number of attorneys supervised and theircaseloads.

5. Describe your criminal defense and courtroom experience, including the number ofmisdemeanor and felony jury trials you have handled, your experience litigating motionsand evidentiary hearings, and your involvement in case investigation, discovery, witnessexamination, and trial preparation.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

HIGHLIGHTED BENEFIT OFFERINGSVACATION - 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years of service.Available after 1 year of service.ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE – One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accruedeach year; can be taken in cash or time off.HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.SICK LEAVE - Six days per year.BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. Formost plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees andDENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.VISION PLAN - The County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchaseRETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 asdetermined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of threeyears. County participates in Social Security.LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $50,000 term policy. Employee may purchaseadditional life insurance.LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN - Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 permonth maximum.DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay for qualifying child or dependent careexpenses may elect this pre-tax program.H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pretax program.HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect thisDEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 4542600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2)submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Ifyou have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 4542600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz Countyverifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized towork in the U.S.

HOW TO APPLY

• COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ
• ATTORNEY I-IV
• PUBLIC DEFENDER
• Final Filing Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
• To apply, go directly to: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

• Join a team of defenders committed to reimagining public defense.
• We are looking for attorneys who are passionate about defending people, challenging injustice, and making a meaningful difference in their clients’ lives.
• If you believe in the power of public defense to change lives, we hope you’ll join us.

• https://www.jobapscloud.com/SCRUZ/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=JG1

• Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Ifyou have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 4542600.

• Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.