Deputy District Attorney I/II (SIGN-ON BONUS)

County of Monterey; California; On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in public service is seeking dedicated attorneys for entry-level Deputy District Attorney positions. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a vibrant community while promoting justice and public safety. As part of a committed team, you will engage in meaningful legal work, manage a diverse caseload, and contribute to the ethical standards of legal practice. With a supportive environment that fosters professional growth, this position is perfect for those passionate about making a positive impact in the community. Join a workplace that values integrity and excellence in service!

Benefits

Competitive Compensation

Paid Certified Post-Bar Positions

Excellent Benefits Package

Potential Signing Bonus

Qualifications

• Must be a member of the California State Bar upon appointment.
• Knowledge of criminal and civil law, trial practice, and legal writing required.

Responsibilities

• Attend court hearings and prepare evidence for presentation.
• Prosecute criminal and civil cases, including trials and negotiations.

Skills

Legal Research

Trial Practice

Criminal Law

Civil Law

Communication Skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California State Bar Membership

Tools

Legal Software

Case Management Systems

Job description

Exam #: 22/39D11/04CH

Where can you get a competitive compensation package at a place that is committed to doing the right and ethical thing while working in paradise?

That place is the County of Monterey!

The County of Monterey is the employer of choice: attracting, developing, and retaining a competent, creative and highly committed workforce.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office is seeking to hire smart, ethical, public service minded attorneys motivated to seek justice and promote public safety on behalf of the people of the County of Monterey and the State of California.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office is now recruiting to fill entry-level Deputy District Attorney / Prosecutor I & II positions in the criminal division. In addition to licensed attorneys, candidates who are pending bar results after taking the California Bar Examination are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants may be offered paid certified post-bar positions prior to receiving bar examination results. All candidates pending California Bar Examination results are expected to apply with the State Bar for their post-bar certification.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office has headquarters at the Salinas Courthouse and a satellite office in Monterey. There are 53 Deputy District Attorneys. The criminal prosecutors work in the Salinas office. The consumer and environmental protection prosecutors work in the Monterey office. The office is an approved MCLE provider and conducts regular in-house training.

The Criminal Division is subdivided into Felony Units, a Misdemeanor Prosecutions Unit and a Juvenile Unit. Vertical prosecution is the standard approach. Some of the specialized positions in the Felony Unit include: Gangs, sexual assault, child abuse, crimes committed while in prison, auto insurance fraud, disability and healthcare insurance fraud, elder abuse, and workers' compensation insurance fraud.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY / PROSECUTOR I: (Salary: $6,902 – 9,365 Monthly)

This is the entry and first working level in the career series. Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar upon appointment but require no previous legal experience. Incumbents hired at this level work under the direction of more experienced prosecutors and are initially assigned to a criminal trial department handling misdemeanor prosecutions. Incumbents hired at this level of the career series may be promoted up to the Deputy District Attorney IV level subject to their meeting the performance expectations for the higher level and a recommendation for promotion by their appointing authority.

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY / PROSECUTOR II: (Salary: $8,257 – 11,215 Monthly)

This is the second level in the career series. Incumbents at this level are expected to independently manage a routine caseload.

As of July 01, 2024, the District Attorney's Office may offer up to $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment hired after July 01, 2024.

• Attends scheduled court hearings such as arraignments, pretrial hearings and motions, sentencing and probation revocations.
• Marshals, reviews, and prepares evidence for presentation in court.
• Prepares and prosecutes criminal and civil cases by presenting opening statements, interrogating and cross-examining witnesses, introducing evidence, making relevant objections, arguing points of law, and presenting closing arguments.
• Research questions of law and evidence and applies statutory and decisional case law, along with such other legal treatises as may be required, in the preparation of cases for hearing in court.
• Determines nature and extent of prosecutions and negotiates the appropriate disposition of criminal cases without going to trial.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Pursuant to Section 6060 of the Business and Professions Code, current, valid membership in the California State Bar is required by date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY I:
Some Knowledge of:

• The duties, responsibilities, powers and limitations of the Office of the District Attorney.
• The ethical standards that apply to prosecutors and attorneys.
• The methods of legal research and writing. The rules of evidence.
• The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
• Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY II:
A working knowledge of:

• The duties, responsibilities, powers and limitations of the Office of the District Attorney.
• The ethical standards that apply to prosecutors and attorneys.
• The methods of legal research and writing. The rules of evidence.

A thorough knowledge of:

• The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
• Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY I AND II:
Skill and Ability to:

• Use a computer.
• Gather and evaluate complex data and draw logical conclusions; evaluate facts and formulate an effective course of action.
• Read, interpret and apply the principles contained in statutes, published court decisions and other relevant legal precedent.
• Orally communicate complex information and concepts to persons of divergent socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; present persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner; and interrogate and cross examine witnesses in a courtroom.
• Write clearly and concisely.
• Organize large quantities of complex material in a logical manner for presentation in court.
• Effectively and logically present evidence in complicated criminal proceedings.
• Recognize and evaluate approaches to situations of a potentially sensitive nature.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Independently manage increasingly difficult cases under general supervision.
• Think creatively; develop new methods, procedures or approaches to achieve desired results.
• Train and review the work of less experienced staff.

The required conditions of employment include but are not limited to the following:

• Independently manage a heavy caseload, occasionally requiring extra hours of work.
• Rotate between the Salinas and Monterey courthouses.
• Successfully complete a thorough background investigation which will include a record of any criminal convictions.
• Respond to law enforcement requests for assistance when on-duty.

BENEFITS:
Monterey County offers an excellent benefits package. To view the unit “E” Benefit Summary Sheet, please visit our website at: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument/107954/637753515549730000

This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Monterey County
Attn: Channelle Ceralde, Human Resources
168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor
Salinas, CA 93901
Email: [e-mail] | Phone: [phone]

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions
• Resume

All application materials must be received by the priority screen date of Friday, May 27, 2022 for a guaranteed review. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Channelle Ceralde, Senior Personnel Analyst [phone] or [e-mail].