Post Bar Fellowship (District Attorney's Office)

County of Santa Barbara; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 34,095 - 48,560; Part time

Job summary

The County of Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office is actively seeking Post Bar Fellows to engage in vital work that supports justice within the community.

Post Bar Law Clerks will assist licensed Deputy District Attorneys in a range of legal tasks, including drafting motions and participating in court hearings. This role offers a unique opportunity for recent law graduates to gain hands-on experience and is expected to contribute significantly to the legal process.

Candidates must be eligible for the California State Bar and ready to navigate complex legal challenges alongside experienced attorneys.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible to take the California State Bar examination by 2027.
• Must not have previously taken the California State Bar Examination.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analyze legal authorities regarding criminal prosecutions.
• Assist with preparation of pleadings, motions, and legal documents.
• Help in the prosecution of criminal cases including court proceedings.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting motions

Courtroom assistance

Communication

Education

Current third-year law student or recent graduate

Job description

Description

The County of Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office is seeking Post Bar Fellows to contribute to meaningful work that supports justice in our community.

Salary

$30.00 Hourly

Post-Bar Law Clerk Overview

A Post-Bar Law Clerk is a law school graduate who has completed legal education and has sat for the California State Bar Examination but is not yet licensed to practice law. Post-Bar Law Clerks work under the supervision of licensed Deputy District Attorneys and perform legal research, drafting, and courtroom-related duties as permitted by the California State Bar.

Post Bar Fellowship positions generally run during two cohorts: the first from March through mid-May (for those who take the Bar in February), and again from August through mid-November (for those who take the Bar in July). Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands.

Position Classification

This position is classified as Extra-Help Appointment (Civil Service Rule 905) and is defined as a special appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position(s) established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies. These positions are exempt from the Provisions of the Civil Service Rules.

Benefits

Benefits will be offered once EXH employees reach Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligibility.

Job Definition

Under direct supervision of a Deputy District Attorney, the incumbent will perform a variety of work on criminal cases including but not limited to, drafting motions, assisting with and observing court hearings, and assisting with trial preparations and prosecutions.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Post Bar Fellowship Extra-Help Special is the entry level class of Deputy District Attorney I. Incumbents receive orientation and training. Post Bar Law Fellows must abide by all applicable State Bar of California rules and guidelines, including certification with the State Bar.

About the Department

The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a team approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case.

The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime. The Office also participates in diversion and collaborative justice programs, including Mental Health Diversion, Veterans Treatment Court, Military Diversion, and the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program.

To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, visit: https://da.countyofsb.org/. You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A?si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni.

Examples of Duties

Under direct supervision and with assistance from a Deputy District Attorney:

• Conducts legal research and analyzes statutes, case law, and legal authorities relevant to criminal prosecutions.
• Assists with the preparation of pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, discovery, correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Assists attorneys in the prosecution of criminal cases, including case review, witness preparation, courtroom proceedings, and trial preparation.
• Participates in victim and witness interviews and assists in evaluating evidence and legal issues.
• Observes court hearings, motions, preliminary hearings, jury trials, and other criminal proceedings.
• Prepares reports, recommendations, and written analyses regarding legal and factual issues.
• Participates in office training programs and actively seeks professional development through research, observation, mentorship, and continuing legal education opportunities.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

• Current third-year law student (3L) in good standing, or recent graduate, of an American Bar Association (ABA) or California-accredited law school and
• Eligible to take the California State Bar examination in July 2026, February 2027, or July of 2027 and
• Eligible to be certified under the State Bar of California’s Certified Law Student (CLS) Program and
• Must not have previously taken the California State Bar Examination.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful law school graduation, sitting for the California Bar Examination as planned, and maintaining eligibility to perform assigned duties under applicable State Bar of California rules and requirements.

Additional Qualifications

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.

Knowledge of

• The principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law.

Ability to

• Perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form; work effectively with others.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
• Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on 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 learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate 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.

Conditional Job Offer

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

Disaster Service Workers

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

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 Deadline

Open until filled. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Collin Graham, Recruiter: [e-mail]