Deputy Public Defender I

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Maria (CA); Sur place; USD 105 000 - 127 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Vacation and sick leave

Health plan

Retirement reciprocity

On-site clinics

Résumé du poste

County of Santa Barbara is seeking a Deputy Public Defender I in Santa Maria, CA, with the Public Defender’s Office. The role covers criminal and civil cases, travel to multiple county locations as needed, and heavy caseload management.

Applicants should have California Bar membership and strong legal research skills. The ideal candidate will be proficient with MS Office, demonstrate excellent customer service, and maintain composure under pressure while upholding ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in the legal field with emphasis on criminal and civil matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong conflict-resolution and client-service skills.

Responsabilités

• Interview clients and advise on rights and options; direct investigations and prepare pleadings.
• Appear in court hearings, negotiate dispositions, and argue points of law.
• Prepare motions, petitions, and legal instruments; manage and organize case files; ensure confidentiality.

Connaissances

Legal field experience

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook

Conflict resolution

Caseload management

Customer service

Multitasking under pressure

Clear written and oral communication

Formation

Active membership in the California State Bar

Description du poste

Description

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

Salary

$105,456 - $127,004 Annually*

• Bilingual allowance when applicable

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.

Employment Standards

Active membership in the State Bar of California AND not less than:

• Completion of the core courses required for a law degree; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

Additional Qualifications

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

Knowledge of:

the principles of criminal and civil law and their application; legal research methods; the organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions; California civil and criminal codes; the U.S. and California Constitutions; rules of evidence, trial procedures; administrative law; ethical and professional rules of conduct; negotiating techniques.

Ability to:

perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles and precedents, facts, and evidence to legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and effectively, in both written and oral format; work cooperatively with and represent persons from a wide variety of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; maintain confidentiality and objectivity; work effectively with others, often under stressful conditions; manage a caseload; interview witnesses; negotiate settlements; present and conduct trials; understand and apply policies and practices.

Desirable Qualifications

The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish and/or Mixteco is desirable. Note: You must self-certify on the application form that you are fluent in English and Spanish and/or Mixteco. Hiring departments will test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment lists.

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 auto-scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking Examination 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 qualified 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 require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond 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 DD214 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.

Conditional Job Offer:

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of twelve (12) months.

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.

Statement of Commitment

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.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE:

Friday. November 6, 2026 at 4:59 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty

Vanessa Hernandez: [e-mail]