Public Defender - Santa Barbara County

Ralph Andersen & Associates; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 262,492 - 350,378; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive benefits package

SBCERS Retirement

Job summary

Ralph Andersen & Associates is leading the search for an experienced legal professional as Public Defender for Santa Barbara County. This leadership role involves overseeing the Office of the Public Defender’s comprehensive services and acting as a representative to various officials and groups, fostering collaboration to advance the Department's mission.

The ideal candidate requires a law degree, 10 years in criminal law (with at least 5 in a leadership role in a Public Defender’s Office), and a strong management background. The salary ranges from $262,492 to $350,378, with an attractive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience practicing criminal law.
• 5 years of management and supervision experience.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience in a Public Defender's Office.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full scope of services of the Public Defender's Office.
• Serve as Liaison to the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors.
• Engage in collaborative working groups focused on system improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration skills

Criminal law expertise

Management of legal staff

Education

Graduation from an accredited law school

Job description

A nationwide search is underway for an experienced legal professional to serve as Public Defender for the County of Santa Barbara. The Public Defender’s Office is committed to providing high-quality legal representation while maintaining strong fiscal accountability, operating with an adopted budget of $26 million and 121 full-time equivalent employees, including investigators, social workers, case managers, and client advocates.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities in this leadership role include oversight of the Office of the Public Defender’s full scope of services and activities. Additionally, the Public Defender will be expected to serve as the Liaison to the County Executive Officer and the Board of Supervisors and represent the Office of the Public Defender to other departments (e.g., County’s District Attorney Office and Probation Department), elected officials, interested community groups, members of the media, and outside agencies and organizations, including the Local Bar Association. The Public Defender actively engages in a wide range of collaborative working groups that focus on system improvements, innovative criminal justice initiatives, and whole person care efforts. This role requires strong collaboration skills to effectively advance the mission of both the Department and the County.

Qualifications

Requires graduation from a recognized accredited law school, or the completion of an equivalent program certified by the California State Bar and 10 years of experience practicing criminal law, 5 years of which have included the management and supervision of professional legal staff. Progressively responsible leadership experience working in a Public Defender’s Office is preferred. The ideal candidate will have already served as a Public Defender or as second-in-command (e.g., Chief Assistant) of a comparable agency. Others with qualifying experience gained at various levels within a robust public defender’s office (e.g., assistant or deputy) may also qualify if well-rounded and combined with a solid, demonstrated career history, and if all other stated qualifications are met.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for the incoming Public Defender is $262,492 to $350,378 (including a 2.5% increase in July 2026), with an annual performance evaluation. The County also offers an attractive benefits package, including SBCERS Retirement.