Deputy Public Defender I

Claraweb; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation accrual (12–25 days per year)

Holidays (12 days per year)

Sick leave (12 days per year)

Health plan (medical/dental)

On-site employee health clinics

Retirement reciprocity

Service credit toward vacation accrual

Job summary

Santa Barbara County Public Defender invites applications for a full-time Deputy Public Defender I in Santa Maria, CA. The role interviews, advises, and represents clients in criminal and civil matters, directing investigations, preparing motions, and trying cases.

Applicants must be willing to travel to Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc as needed. The ideal candidate brings legal experience, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage multiple cases with care

Qualifications

• Experience in the legal field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong conflict resolution and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage a fluctuating, heavy caseload.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Bilingual English and Spanish is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients and advise them on rights and legal options; coordinate investigations.
• Perform legal research and develop case strategies.
• Prepare for trials, negotiate dispositions, and represent clients in court.
• Prepare petitions, briefs, motions, pleadings, and other legal instruments.

Skills

Legal experience

Conflict resolution

Customer service

Time management

Communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Website Santa Barbara County Public Defender

We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Deputy Public Defender I positions located in Santa Maria, California for the Public Defender’s Office.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please be sure to select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies.

The Public Defender’s Office has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Applicants must be willing to travel to and be transferred to all locations depending on the needs of the Department.

THE LAW OFFICES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S MISSION:

The County of Santa Barbara Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime and who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, as well as those subject to civil mental health commitments and other proceedings where their liberty is at stake. Our lawyers employ a holistic approach to criminal defense that draws from traditional and non-traditional legal representation models. Our clients have access to an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, legal office professionals, investigators, advocates and IT personnel, who strive to reduce their exposure to the criminal justice system, mitigate collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and transform lives by addressing the social ills that contribute to justice system involvement. Our advocacy often extends beyond conducting courtroom hearings and trials, as we aim to seek individualized solutions to the complex problems faced by our clients.

To learn more about us, visit https://www.countyofsb.org/187/Public-Defender

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 12 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee’s premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 5.
• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

POSITION:

Under direction, the selected candidate interviews, advises, and represents clients in authorized criminal and civil cases; structures and directs investigations; prepares trials, pleadings, and motions; tries cases before court and jury; effectively presents sentencing and disposition positions on behalf of clients; and performs related duties as required and appropriate.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have:

• Experience in the legal field.
• Microsoft Office Excel, Word and Outlook skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• The ability to effectively manage a fluctuating and often heavy caseload, including working with numerous clients who may have multiple concurrent cases.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience working with the public.
• The ability to effectively manage multiple situations occurring simultaneously.
• Exceptional organization skills and ability to work efficiently on multiple projects at one time.
• The ability to prepare and write clear and concise motions, and keep records organized accordingly.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities.
• Adaptability, a positive attitude, and an impeccable character.
• Calm demeanor under all circumstances.
• The ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines.
• The ability to multi-task, handle high stress situations, thrive under pressure and adapt to change.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to handle difficult situations and difficult people with tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills which includes the ability to exchange information in a clear, concise and organized manner to diverse groups of people to help them understand process objectives and priorities.
• The ability to work successfully in a team environment, make positive contributions and assist others as necessary.
• The ability to tackle complex legal issues using sound judgment, legal research, investigative practices and analytical skills.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Bilingual skills in English & Spanish and/or Mixteco is desirable, but not a requirement. Note: The hiring department will test you on your fluency.

Examples of Duties:

Interviews clients regarding prospective criminal or civil actions and advises them of their rights and legal options; structures and directs investigations; reviews evidence; interviews witnesses and prepares them to testify.

Conducts legal research; analyzes statutes, case law, evidence, and other relevant information in order to develop case strategies.

Prepares for trials; negotiates with prosecuting authorities on disposition and modification of cases; appears with and for clients in court hearings, makes appropriate legal motions, pleas, and arguments on points of law; participates in jury selection; makes final arguments and summations in defense of the accused in trial courts.

Prepares petitions, briefs, arguments, motions, pleadings, other legal instruments, reports, and correspondence, and argues in the appropriate forum.