Deputy District Attorney I

County of Santa Barbara

Santa Maria (CA)

On-site

USD 105,000 - 127,000

Full time

40 hours ago

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Job summary

County of Santa Barbara's District Attorney's Office seeks Deputy District Attorneys I–IV to handle criminal and civil prosecutions across the county, including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. The role offers a path from entry-level responsibilities to more advanced prosecutions as you progress.

Applicants must be admitted to the State Bar of California, complete core law courses, and demonstrate strong advocacy, research, and courtroom skills in a public-service environment.

Qualifications

Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Completion of the core courses required for a law degree.
Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines in a public sector setting.

Responsibilities

Interviews and advises victims and witnesses; studies and applies laws and precedents for prosecuting cases.
Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and judgments.
Prosecutes felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases and conducts preliminary hearings.
Performs related work such as petitions, reports, and correspondence.
Engages in continuing legal education and community outreach.

Skills

Public service

Advocacy skills

Judgment and decision-making

Criminal justice experience

Law internships/externships

Communication with victims

Organizational skills

Education

State Bar admission

Core law degree courses

Job description

Description

SALARY: $105,464.32 - $127,019.36 Annually

HIRING INCENTIVE: The District Attorney's Office may offer a discretionary hiring incentive for select critical and hard-to-fill positions. Incentives, when approved, may be up to $20,000 and are determined on a case-by-case basis based on recruitment needs, qualifications of the applicant, and other relevant factors. Hiring incentives are not guaranteed and are subject to County approval.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office currently has multiple Deputy District Attorney I vacancies located throughout the County of Santa Barbara.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please select all locations you are willing to accept initial employment for current and former vacancies. Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a team approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case.

The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime. In addition, specialty courts such as DUI Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Restorative Justice Court, and Veterans' Treatment Court allow for collaboration between Deputy District Attorneys and other Court staff in an effort to improve the success rate of rehabilitation for criminal defendants in addition to reducing crime.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is committed to mentorship, professional development, ethical prosecution, innovation, and a collaborative team environment.

To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, visit: https://da.countyofsb.org/ You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A?si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni

Distinguishing Characteristics

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of criminal and civil investigations, trial preparations, and prosecutions; perform related work as required. Deputy District Attorney I/II/III/IV/Senior is a flexibly staffed series.

Deputy District Attorney I is the entry level class in this professional series in which incumbents receive orientation and training and are expected to progress to the experienced Deputy District Attorney II level within a reasonable length of time. Deputy District Attorney I may be required to mentor and train Deputy District Attorney Externs and/or new Deputy District Attorneys.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

A commitment to public service and the ethical pursuit of justice
Strong written and oral advocacy skills
Excellent judgment and decision-making abilities
Experience working within the criminal justice system
Experience through internships, externships, clerkships, or employment in criminal law or litigation, preferably in a public sector agency
The ability to effectively communicate with victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and members of the public
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Examples of Duties

Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions; studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in prosecuting cases;
Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and judgments;
Prosecutes a variety of cases, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic trials and presentation of preliminary hearings;
Performs related work such as preparing petitions, complaints, reports, and correspondence;
Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, research, observing and seeking counsel from peer attorneys, and attending trainings; perform community outreach, which may include training law enforcement personnel and performing outreach at schools or community organizations that focus on public safety or justice;
Other duties as assigned within the scope of the job classification.

Employment Standards

Active membership in the State Bar of California and completion of the core courses required for a law degree.

Applicants who have taken the State Bar exam and are pending results may apply and participate in the selection process but must obtain an active membership in the State Bar of California at the time of appointment.

Additional Qualifications

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of

the principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence.

Ability to

perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form; work effectively with others.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their supplemental questionnaire.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verifications of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS

Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this position (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 and supporting materials to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the Application & Selection process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Background Investigation Process

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete an in-depth background investigation. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment may bar employment.

The Background Check May Include

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) / Personal History Statement (PHS)
Background Investigation: Includes an interview, and in-depth background investigation of arrest records, personal, military, credit, employment history, driving records, education, residence history, drug use and reference checks.
Live Scan: Electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau Investigation.

The background investigation may take up to 4-6 weeks.

Probationary Period

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a 12-month probationary period.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

Disaster Service Worker

Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

BENEFITS

For more information on County benefits, please visit here: https://www.countyofsb.org/3084/Deputy-District-Attorneys-Association

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: