Deputy District Attorney III
COUNTY OF MENDOCINO
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Job summary
The County of Mendocino invites applications for Deputy District Attorney III in Ukiah and Fort Bragg, CA. The role involves prosecuting criminal cases, negotiating with defense, and presenting in court.
Under supervision, you will prepare filings, review evidence, develop case strategy with investigators, and mentor junior attorneys. Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged; valid CA license required.
Qualifications
- Active California Bar membership is required.
- Two years of practicing attorney experience at Deputy District Attorney II level or equivalent.
- Ability to prosecute criminal misdemeanor and felony cases with independent judgment.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, file, and prosecute criminal cases as assigned.
- Appear and present in court at various stages of cases.
- Draft motions, briefs and other legal documents for filing.
- Coordinate with investigators and staff to develop case tactics.
- Provide guidance to less experienced district attorneys.
Skills
Education
Job description
The current vacancies are in Ukiah and Fort Bragg, CA.
The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur.
Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreement, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region including Fort Bragg, Mendocino, or in Point Arena, shall receive a 5% assignment premium. This premium shall also apply to employees temporarily assigned to these locations for one full pay period or a longer period of time.
Under general supervision, the Deputy District Attorney III performs a variety of professional legal work involving the preparation, filing and prosecution of criminal misdemeanor and felony cases as assigned and provides assistance to department staff.
Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.
Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Interview victims and witnesses related to crimes; discusses cases with associated parties, such as investigators, police officers, probation officers and other attorneys; prepare victims and witnesses for court appearance and testimony.
- Review police reports; defendant files; probation reports; witness statements; evidence; crime scenes; psychiatric, medical and forensic sciences information; and/or other sources to obtain relevant information for cases.
- Assist law enforcement agencies with investigations and issues of law.
- Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
- Obtain search warrants; issue subpoenas.
- Negotiate resolutions of cases with defense attorneys and judges.
- Appear and present in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, pre-trial conferences, sentencing, motions, post-conviction hearing and/or trials.
- Research, formulate, draft and file motions, briefs and/or other legal documents.
- Argue motions in court and present evidence and witness testimony.
- File and/or prepare cases for presentation at jury trials; coordinate with appropriate relevant parties; prepare audiovisual displays and demonstrative evidence using current technologies.
- Conduct legal research on criminal law issues.
- Review comprehensive investigative and/or other reports and appropriate documentation to file criminal charges.
- Review, edit and sign legal documents prepared by lower level district attorneys or other staff members.
- Review current relevant legislation and litigation.
- Authorize and approves extradition proceedings; handle insanity commitment proceedings.
- Act as a representative for the District Attorney's office; work with investigators to prepare cases for court; request investigations and evaluate results; discuss and resolve problems; discuss and plan case tactics and strategy with investigators.
- Maintain and upgrade professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
- Provide guidance and assistance to less experienced district attorneys or others; answer legal questions and educate staff in changes in laws; review pleadings and filings of staff.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Current membership with the State Bar of California and two (2) years experience as a practicing attorney at a level equivalent to that of the Deputy District Attorney II; or any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Licensed to practice law in the State of California
Valid Drivers License
Incumbents must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain, all licenses, certifications, registrations, and/or other requirements identified in the minimum qualifications, as applicable, and within the timeframes specified. These requirements are conditions of continued employment and minimum qualifications for the position. Failure to possess, obtain, or maintain any required license, certification, registration, or other requirement within the specified timeframe may result in rejection during the probationary period, or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Principles, procedures and practices regarding the practice of law in the State of California.
- Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
- Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
- Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.
- Ethical and professional standards of conduct.
- Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
- Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
- Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
- Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
- Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
- Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Analyze situations effectively, interpret and apply laws and regulations and recommend effective courses of action.
- Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
- Write reports, motions, briefs and/or other legal documents.
- Speak effectively before groups and respond to questions.
- Argue clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form.
- Maintain confidentiality and objectivity.
- Understand and accept differences in human behavior, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
- Prepare and present cases in court; negotiate settlements.
- Train and mentor less experienced attorneys.
- While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and speak and hear.
- While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
- You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
- Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
- If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please submit unofficial transcripts with your application. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide an education evaluation. The education evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org. This education evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be submitted with the application.
- Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
- You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
- Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
- It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
- The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
- The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.
The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.
Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.
This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.
The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.
- E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
- Right to Work (Download PDF reader)
This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.
Covered Under Social Security And The 1937 Act; Both Employees And The County Pay Into The Retirement Fund. For The Most Current Information Regarding County Retirement Please Go To https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 – 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
If yes, please give the date(s) and nature of the offense(s) below. (Convictions are evaluated for each position and are not necessarily disqualifying.)
Please describe the most important case in which you have personally been involved. Include what made this case important, your role or involvement in the case (e.g. assigned attorney, research intern, 1538.5 attorney/legal intern, etc.) and what you learned from the experience. In your response, also include the name of the agency where you acquired the experience you discuss, the dates of employment or internship, and the name/s and contact information of a supervisor or other person who can verify your experience. In your response, do not refer to your application or resume, as these will not be evaluated with your response to this supplemental questionnaire.
- Required Question
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