Deputy Public Defender I - Trainee

About the Opportunity

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The Public Defender's Office is recruiting for Deputy Public Defenders I-V Trainee. Successful candidates in this position need to be effective communicators, knowledge workers, customer focused, and care about teamwork and collaboration. The department is also searching for candidates that value and respect others, are driven to excel, demonstrate ethical behavior and are supportive of change. Entry level Deputy Public Defenders must also be focused on continuous learning. Higher classified Deputy Public Defenders will provide leadership in the department, hold self and others accountable, be innovative and problem solve, be willing to coach and develop others and maximize team effectiveness. To learn more about the Public Defender's Office, click here .

Click here for details.

ABOUT THE POSITIONThe Stanislaus County Public Defender is seeking qualified law school students and graduates for the position of Deputy Public Defender (Attorney I) Trainee. There is no requirement to have passed the California Bar Exam or be a member of the California State Bar. The Deputy Public Defender (Attorney I Trainee) works under the general direction of the Chief Deputy Public Defender or Assistant Chief Deputy and is responsible for the performance of a variety of professional legal work involved in criminal defense, civil litigation, investigation and trial preparation.

Attorney I Trainees will earn 15% less than the first step of the Attorney I series. Trainees are part of the unclassified service of the County; Trainee appointments are not to last longer than one (1) year. However, appointments are able to be extended up to a maximum of two (2) years where minimum qualifications are involved; The Department may allow Deputy Public Defender Trainees multiple attempts to pass the California State Bar Exam. This is a training level in the Attorney series. Under the supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, incumbents will perform case work that requires basic legal knowledge within the areas of criminal law and procedure. Incumbents will typically be assigned work related to misdemeanor cases, including but not limited to law and motion, case review and trial preparation. Incumbents at this level will receive necessary training and supervision.
Promotional Opportunity Deputy Public Defender Trainees may be promoted to Deputy Public Defender (Attorney I-V) upon successfully passing the California State Bar, obtaining a California State Bar License Number and upon recommendation of their supervisor.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the County Attorney's Association bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.

Part-time, extra-help, or seasonal is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401(a) program with Nationwide.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

• Interview and advise defendants or individuals as to their constitutional rights and other pertinent information relevant to existing criminal charges or prospective criminal complaints;
• Advise clients on legal rights;
• Analyze case material, initiate investigations and interview witnesses, local authorities and others having information or testimony essential to the development and presentation of the defense;
• Conduct legal research as required;
• Study, interpret and incorporate laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases;
• Perform legal research pertinent to the work of the Public Defender's Office;
• Confer with prosecuting staff, probation authorities and court officials to discuss pleas, modification of charges, presentation and examination of documents and material prior to trials; and
• Prepare and submit documents regarding application for probation, appeal of court findings, writs and other legal documents on behalf of defendants.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Organize multiple tasks;
• Prepare and present statements of fact, law and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form;
• Evaluate facts and evidence; obtain information through examination;
• Analyze legal problems and apply legal principles and practices;
• Follow directions; accept and learn from criticism;
• Communicate effectively; extract information from and coherently provide it to others;
• Produce research and writing; accurately document actions;
• Dress professionally;
• Work with others in a team environment;
• Maintain the confidence and respect of members of the legal profession, public officials and other persons contacted in the work process;
• Public speaking and argument;
• Write clearly and concisely;
• Argue clearly and logically;
• Demonstrated flexibility in approach to legal issues and working with people;
• "Think on your feet" and ability to explain these thoughts coherently; and
• Basic computer skills to function effectively in automated environment.

KNOWLEDGE

• Legal research and writing;
• Criminal and civil law and procedure;
• Rules of evidence;
• Trial principles;
• Oral argument;
• Constitutional law;
• Charging statutes and language;
• Sentencing and probation parameters;
• Office procedures and practices;
• Rules of Court; and
• Organization and handling multiple cases.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Attorney I Trainee

• Graduate of an accredited law school;
• Actively awaiting California State Bar Exam results; AND
• Must be able to complete and pass background investigation.

ATTORNEY I

• Pass California State Bar and possess valid bar license; AND
• Must be able to complete and pass background investigation.

Desirable Qualification
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• A minimum of three (3) months experience working in a Public Defender’s Office as a certified law student.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: December 19, 2024 at 5pm
Oral Examination: Tentatively the week of December 30, 2024

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County .

GENERAL INFORMATION

Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .

For more detailed information on benefits please refer to the CAA MOU

Closing Date/Time: 12/19/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Stanislaus County

• (209) 525-6341

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