DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I - EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT/HOMELESS INITIATIVE

Job Description

Position/Program Information

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
We welcome applications from anyone.

FILING DATES:

The application filing period will begin on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

EXAM NUMBER:
L9246K-EA

REPOSTING INFORMATION:

This announcement is being reposted to reopen the filing period.

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County’s jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.

POSITION INFORMATION:
The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Deputy Public Defender I (DPD I) vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements and successfully pass the Department’s selection interview process 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 DPD I.

SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION:
Manpower Shortage Bonuses: Due to a critical shortage, new and current employees will be granted a temporary bonus placing them at step 6 of the salary range (resulting in approximately 28% on top of the base salary). This temporary bonus is in effect until June 30, 2027, or until it is determined that a shortage no longer exists, whichever happens sooner.

Essential Job Functions

As a DPD I, you will perform less complex legal tasks in the defense of criminal cases and rotate through a variety of developmental assignments designed to prepare you for handling average-difficulty misdemeanor cases or less complex felony cases. Your role as a DPD is vital to fulfilling the mission and vision of the Office. All DPDs are required to be available and willing to work anywhere within the County of Los Angeles.

Click here for a detailed summary and description of the DPD I job functions.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:

Be admitted with the California Bar Association to practice law in all courts in California. The following are types of acceptable documents to verify your admission to practice law:

• A legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of your active California (CA) State Bar Card. The watermark on the CA State Bar Card must be visible and indicate the current year (e.g., 2026).

• If you recently passed the bar and have not received your CA State Bar Card, a legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of the letter from the State Bar of California Office of Admissions indicating that you have achieved a passing score on the CA State Bar Examination -AND- the records reflect that you have satisfied ALL of the requirements for admission to practice law at the time of filing. All correspondence must be on the CA State Bar Card letterhead.

The following Letters of Admission to Practice Law in California WILL NOT be accepted:

• Records indicating you submitted or need to submit an Application for Determination of Moral Character (Determination Application) and is pending determination.
• Records indicating that you have not taken the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
• Records indicating that you have outstanding fees.

You MUST meet the above requirement(s) and successfully pass the Department’s selection interview process in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

LAW GRADUATES WITH PROVISIONAL LICENSES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS RECRUITMENT.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver 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.

EDUCATION:
In order to receive credit for the required degree/coursework, certification, and/or license, you must include a legible copy of your active CA State Bar Card, or if you have recently passed the bar and have not yet received your CA State Bar Card , a legible copy of the letter from the State Bar of California Office of Admissions confirming you have passed the CA State Bar Card and satisfied all requirements for admission to practice law. Documentation must be submitted at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of your application submission . Please submit documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number.

Additional Information

ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

During your initial work period, the department will evaluate your work performance. Candidates who achieve a passing score will be considered for permanent appointment to Deputy Public Defender I. If permanently appointed, you will be subject to a probationary period based on the classification.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Appointees to this position must be willing to work any shift and in any Los Angeles County location and may be subject to transfer at any time.

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION:

Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information.

Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add the following email addresses to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

• EAvanessian@pubdef.lacounty.gov
• Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov

• Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov

• noreply@governmentjobs.com

• i nfo@governmentjobs.com

You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL, AND PASSWORD:

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Department Contact Name: Edna Avanessian
Department Contact Phone: (213) 974-7481

Department Contact Email: Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
California Relay Service Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

For detailed information, please click here