WITNESS ASSISTANT I, DA - EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT

County-of-Los-Angeles; California; On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE is seeking a Witness Assistant I for emergency staffing. The role supports deputy district attorneys by ensuring witness appearance, coordinating pre-trial tasks, and managing travel and reimbursements for witnesses within Los Angeles County.

Initial employment may be up to 90 days under an emergency order, with potential for permanent appointment upon successful evaluation.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized office clerical experience, involving extensive public contact to obtain information in support of legal processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist deputy district attorneys by ensuring appearance of witnesses in court.
• Provide administrative support for pre-trial and continuing court proceedings.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and reimbursements for witnesses.
• Communicates with attorneys, judges, investigators, and court personnel.
• Locate victims and witnesses using directories and databases.

Skills

Specialized office clerical experience

Job description

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

EXAM NUMBER:

A1216E-HE

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD:

We will be accepting online applications from Monday, October 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Monday, November 9, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Monday, November 9, 2026, to be accepted.

The LA County Department of Human Resources (DHR) has authorized Hiring as an Emergency under Civil Service Rule 13.04 in response to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 (McKinnor), which requires the County to report on high vacancy rates and recruitment efforts. This action supports a Countywide strategy to address persistent staffing shortages that threaten the delivery of essential public services. We are looking for qualified and committed individuals to help strengthen the County workforce and ensure residents continue to receive critical support. If you are looking for a new opportunity where your work will make an immediate impact, this may be the role for you.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Witness Assistant I vacancies related to the effort to stabilize critical services and accelerate hiring in high-need areas.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Witness Assistant I.

POSITION INFORMATION

This position is responsible for assisting deputy district attorneys by ensuring the appearance, at the designated time and place, of all witnesses required to testify in criminal court trials. Incumbents provide administrative support in connection with pre-trial and continuing court proceedings and for report problems while working with deputy district attorneys, judges, investigators, law enforcement personnel, court and medical personnel, Los Angeles county personnel, outside vendors, and the public.

• Persuades victims/witnesses, police officers, fire fighters, and medical personnel to appear in court as scheduled and rescheduled. Evaluates the commitment of witnesses to testify by regular telephone conversations. Notifies attorneys and investigators of problems or conflicts (e.g., uncooperative victims/witnesses) and recommends solutions. Works with Deputy District Attorneys, judges, investigators, police officers, court and medical personnel, Los Angeles County personnel, outside vendors (e.g., travel arrangements), and the public to solve problems related to witness appearance.
• Documents and searches for and locates victims/witnesses to appear in court trials by researching telephone directories, cross directories, court records, databases (e.g., PIMS), and information systems (e.g., Lotus Notes). Questions employers, relatives, and acquaintances to locate missing or reluctant victims/witnesses.
• Serves and re-serves subpoenas by e-mail, mail, fax, telephone, or in person with the assistance of an Investigator as the trial is scheduled and rescheduled. Reviews subpoenas and victims/witness lists for accuracy and completeness and makes necessary corrections in time allotted.
• Instructs victims/witnesses in the laws, rules, and court procedures governing their appearance and testimony. Contacts victims/witnesses, police, fire fighters, medical personnel, and expert witnesses to be on-call for upcoming court proceedings. Advises and notifies deputy district attorneys, victims/witnesses and police officers of the specific time and place to appear to testify, details of travel arrangements, and reimbursement claims. Advises witnesses and police of the ongoing status of the court case and their pending testimony.
• Coordinates airline, hotel, and ground transportation arrangements for victims/witnesses. Prepares witness reimbursement forms for travel, transportation (e.g., train and uber), lodging, meals, and payment of witness fees.
• May testify in court, when victims/witnesses do not appear, to detail the measures taken to ensure their appearance.
• Informs witnesses/victims of the date and time of court appearance, details of travel arrangement, and reimbursement of expenses.

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

One year of specialized office clerical experience*, involving extensive public contact to obtain information in support of legal processes.

You MUST meet the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

*Specialized office clerical experience is experience at the level of the County's class of Intermediate Clerk, Intermediate Typist-Clerk or higher. You may still qualify even if your job title isn't exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level - meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver’s License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS

2 - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

LOCATION & SHIFT REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be willing and able to work in ANY AREA of Los Angeles County and on ANY SHIFT (e.g., evenings, nights, weekends, etc.).

EXAMINATION CONTENT

During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

VACANCY INFORMATION

This recruitment will be used to fill vacancies throughout the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT US

• Exam Number: A1216E-HE
• Department Contact Name: Exams Unit
• Department Contact Phone: [phone]
• Departmental Contact Email: [e-mail]
• California Relay Services Phone: [phone]