Deputy Public Defender I/II

Humboldt County Wic; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Humboldt County is seeking a Deputy Public Defender I/II to provide legal defense for indigent clients. Responsibilities include preparing cases for court, conducting legal research, and representing clients in various hearings. Ideal candidates will have a law degree and be a member of the California State Bar.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid California driver's license.
• Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association.

Responsibilities

• Provides public defense and legal services for court-appointed cases.
• Conducts pretrial case preparation, legal research, and necessary investigation.
• Represents clients in hearings, courts of law, and meetings.

Skills

Legal Research

Judicial Procedures

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Law Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

• This recruitment is open until filled. County Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
• Applications will be collected and forwarded to the department on a weekly basis.

Deputy Public Defender I/II
Please note:

• This recruitment is open until filled. County Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
• Applications will be collected and forwarded to the department on a weekly basis.

What You'll Do:
Under general supervision, performs legal work of a routine to complex nature; provides public defense and legal services for court-appointed cases; performs related work as assigned.

Where You'll Do It:
Humboldt County Public Defender's Office
1001 4th St, Eureka, CA 95501


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a multi-level class in which incumbents may be assigned to any of four levels, depending upon experience, proficiency gained, and the complexity of assigned cases. The work may be related to any of a number of criminal areas, including both felonies and misdemeanors, and involves providing legal defense for indigent court-referred clients. Involvement in formal litigation, discretionary powers, and direction of the work of other professional staff increase as incumbents progress through the various levels. Deputy Public Defender IV is considered to be the highest level non-supervisory class, fully capable of working independently in any number of complex areas and providing direction and training to less experienced staff. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with the defense of others from pretrial through appeal stages. These classes are distinguished from Assistant Public Defender in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of County legal matters and may act as the Public Defender on a relief basis.

• Prepares the defense for court-referred clients in a variety of felony cases.
• Confers with clients advising them of charges and legal rights; reviews police reports and explains legal procedures; arranges for the release of in-custody clients if possible; explores potential admission to state mental health facilities;
• Conducts pretrial case preparation, legal research and necessary investigation; coordinates investigative activities with Public Defender investigator staff.
• Appears at pretrials, trials, arraignments, revocation and bail hearings, and preliminary, intervention and conservatorship hearings to represent clients.
• Prepares suppression motions, motions to dismiss, motions to withdraw a plea, appellate briefs, and motions for judicial recommendation against deportation.
• Investigates and prepares responses to prosecution claims; negotiates with prosecution attorneys for case disposition or modification.
• Performs trial work including jury selection, examination and cross-examination and argument of the defense case.
• Prepares a variety of legal documentation, including reports, correspondence and opinions related to client cases.
• Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on public defense activities and recommends appropriate action.
• Directs the work of professional and support staff as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, philosophy and practice of criminal law, especially as related to the defense of court-referred clients.
• Principles, methods and techniques of legal research and investigation.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• State and federal laws and constitution provisions affecting public defense from pretrial through appeal.

Skill in:

• Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.
• Presenting statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
• Exercising sound, independent judgment within the general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
• Interpreting state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting public defense activities.
• Representing assigned clients effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings with others.
• Preparing clear, concise and legally sufficient written materials.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements:
Must possess a valid California driver's license.
Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association.

Desirable Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

Deputy Public Defender I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university, plus an appropriate law degree.

Deputy Public Defender II: In addition to the above, one year of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense.

All the Benefits:

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How long does it take to fill out the application?

You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application.

• Can I change my application after submitting it?

You may only submit one application per day. You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.

• How long until I hear back from you?

You can expect to hear back from Humboldt County Human Resources about 3-4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

• Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

How to Apply

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications may only be submitted online through the County’s automated application system at http://www.humboldtgov.org/hr no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.

It is important that your application, not just your resume, show all the relevant experience and education you possess.

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in this examination will be compared with the performance of others who take the test. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. Scores will be provided in writing only.

Yay! You’ve made it down to the fine print…. that means you are interested in this job, and THAT makes us happy! The lawyers tell us we need to include this stuff…. but we’ll help you get through it.

This is about the retirement benefits we offer. You’ve probably heard that we have a great retirement plan. Basically, you fall into a Tier based on the date you first start working for the County or any other governmental employer that uses CalPERS for retirement. If this is your first job in government, then you’ll be in Tier III. 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your final annual pay rate for every year that you work for us if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @. So, if you work 20 years and retire at 64 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your final annual pay rate every year in retirement.

CalPERS Retirement Program

The County participates in the CalPERS retirement system, with both the County and the employee making contributions toward the employee’s retirement.

• Tier I: Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7 @ 55
• Tier II: Post 7/6/2012: 2.0 @ 55
• Tier III: Post 1/1/2013: 2.0 @ 62

This next section says that the County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. “Examination” doesn’t always mean taking a test…..sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied and an “oral examination” can just mean an interview for lower level positions.

Selection Procedure

The County’s Human Resources system operates by a set of rules and procedures which ensure that employees are hired and promoted on the basis of merit and fitness for the job. Jobs are filled through competitive examinations. A complete online application is required for this position. All application materials will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Those candidates considered to be the most qualified, based on the application materials submitted, will be invited to a written and/or oral examination, or an evaluation of education and experience.

Policy of Nondiscrimination

The County of Humboldt does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Human Resources is wheelchair-accessible by entering the Courthouse from the ramp located on the east side of the building next to the marked handicapped parking. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact Human Resources at [phone] well in advance of the examination for assistance.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS: Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES: Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six months, but may be up to one year. All designated safety employees serve a one year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.