Deputy Public Defender I - Limited Term

The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill two (2) regular, limited-term position in the class of Deputy Public Defender I at the Public Defender's Office. Limited-term assignments are scheduled to expire two years from the date of hire.

Under close supervision, serves as a trial attorney in the defense of individuals; performs other related legal work as assigned. This is the entry level into the Deputy Public Defender Series. Persons appointed to this class are generally assigned routine misdemeanor cases, routine and non-controversial matters, and less difficult felony cases.

Applicants that have graduated from law school and have taken the California State Bar exam but are currently AWAITING RESULTS are WELCOME to apply. However, any offer of employment will be contingent upon proof of membership in the State Bar of California.

Applicants are required to submit an online County of Yolo Employment Application, responses to supplemental questions, and proof of active membership with the State Bar of California. For important and detailed information regarding the application and selection process for this recruitment, please see the APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS section of this job announcement below.

Experience: No experience required.

Licensure: Active membership in the State Bar of California. Note: For assignments where cases are heard solely within Federal Court, the attorney must maintain active membership in any state's Bar Association, not limited to the State Bar of California.

License: Positions in this classification require incumbents to possess and maintain a valid California driver's license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of: legal principles and their application; criminal law and procedures; constitutional law and procedures; administrative law and procedures; rules of evidence; trial procedures; know duties and responsibilities and role of a prosecutor and defense attorney for indigent clients; legal research methods; appellate court proceedings; and civil law and procedures, consumer fraud law and procedures.

Ability to: analyze, apply and present legal principles, facts, evidence and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; deal effectively and tactfully with the general public and others contacted in the course of work; be alert to, identify, analyze and be sensitive to subtleties of verbal and nonverbal communication by clients, witnesses and others; Defend, or prosecute, individuals in adversarial proceedings including, but not limited to: preliminary hearings, violation of probation hearings, court trials, and jury trials; interview clients, victims and witnesses under crowded and noisy conditions; formally address judges, hearing officers and juries; quickly read, analyze and comprehend complex files and/or transcripts under crowded and noisy conditions and while in the process of participating in the prosecution or defense of individuals in judicial proceedings; transport many files from one courtroom to another, from one office to another, while climbing stairs and while under tight deadlines; reason logically; conduct work in dusty, dirty, confined and crowded environments; exercise sound judgment; work irregular hours; and operate a computer terminal with sufficient proficiency to perform the duties of this job.

Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Application information must be current, concise, and related to the requirements in this job announcement. A resume may be included with your application; however, it will not substitute for the information requested on the application. In addition to an employment application, applicants are required to submit a supplemental questionnaire and proof of active membership (e.g., results notice or Bar #) in the State Bar of California. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Screening for Minimum Qualifications

Screening for Best Qualified

Department Selection Interviews

Reference Checks

Conditional Job Offer, pending:

Pre-Employment Exams: Drug & Alcohol Screen

Department of Justice LiveScan

Confirmed Job Offer

Estimated Start Date: January/February 2024

Screening for Best Qualified: The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification. If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely. Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question. Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant's education, training, and experience will be evaluated to determine those applicants that are best qualified.

It is the policy of the County of Yolo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. The County will comply with all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants. Reasonable testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities or who are unable to attend a scheduled test due to religious reasons in accordance with the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call the County of Yolo Human Resources Office at (530) 666-8055 at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled test date to request accommodation. Documentation from a medical doctor, rehabilitation counselor, or other qualified professional will be required.

The average person spends one third of their life at work. Why not spend that time in an environment where you are seen for who you are, celebrated for the diversity you bring, and valued for your potential to contribute to an innovative and dynamic workforce? Yolo County is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable workplace which supports and values our diverse community.

Come join us! This is where YOU belong.