Deputy Public Defender III

ABOUT THE POSITION

This recruitment is a Public Defender’s Office Departmental Promotion Only. Please note that you must have passed the first half of your initial probationary period to be referred for an interview (Personnel Management Regulation 30.5). If you have questions about applying, please contact Linda Kline at [email protected]. 

The Deputy Public Defender III performs legal defense work for community members needing representation in criminal, juvenile, or civil cases accepted by the Public Defender. Incumbents exercise considerable independent judgment in processing assigned cases, which are often of a difficult and complex nature involving factual and legal issues, including specialty court and capital murder cases. This position also provides lead direction and guidance to professional staff and possibly attorney staff. The general duties and minimum requirements of this position are described in the attached class specification. 

For information related to the duties of this assignment, please contact David Joseph Sutton, Public Defender, at extension 2217. 

ABOUT YOU

Our Highly Qualified Candidate: The ideal candidate is a practiced Deputy Public Defender with experience trying cases in superior court, with knowledge and understanding of specialty courts for Marin County Superior Court. The candidate should be approachable, proactive and self-directed, with the experience and skills to effectively provide guidance to professional staff. The ideal candidate can effectively participate as a member of a team, working respectfully, collaboratively,   developing positive working relationships with colleagues and staff, as well as representatives from partnering public safety and community agencies and organizations. In addition, the ideal candidate is an active member of and engaged with their community.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: 

• Principles of criminal, juvenile, and immigration law and aspects of civil law related to Public Defender work, including laws and procedures specific to the assignment.
• Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence, procedure, and substantive law.
• Legal research methods commensurate with the level of experience of the class.
• Standard legal office practices and procedures; and computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Interview a variety of individuals and solicit needed information to determine facts and circumstances.
• Analyze cases and apply legal principles to develop effective defense strategies.
• Present statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
• Prepare clear, concise, accurate and effective legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
• Communicate logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and departments while demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy and compassion.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Keep detailed and accurate records; compose and disseminate correspondence as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience involving legal work as a Deputy Public Defender, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Certificates and Licenses:
Current active membership in the State Bar of California is required.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please Linda Kline at [email protected].

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list.  The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin 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.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095. 

Benefits

PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.   
 
COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage.

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals.  Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.

Health Plan: Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP).  There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.

Retirement: Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.

IRS 457 Plan: Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.
 
For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104.  For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCounty of MarinAddress 3501 Civic Center Drive
Room 124
San Rafael, California, 94903 Phone415 473-2126
Website https://www.hr.marincounty.gov/our-divisions/join-our-team