Deputy Public Defender I/II/III

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE SHASTA COUNTY

PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2024

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE AND

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA 

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED 

FINAL FILING DATE: DECEMBER 06, 2024 AT 12:00PM

SALARY INFORMATION

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I: $7,224 - $9,220 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $41.68 - $53.19 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II: $8,161 - $10,417 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $47.08 - $60.10 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III: $9,541 - $12,177 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $55.04 - $70.25 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous. 

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Shasta County Public Defender provides efficient and effective legal defense services to indigent individuals charged with crimes in felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile matters.  In addition, the Office of the Shasta County Public Defender provides legal representation to indigent individuals facing conservatorship, guardianship, parental terminations, probate, and Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5150 proceedings. For more information please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/public-defender     

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general supervision, to perform general legal duties in the area of criminal defense; and to perform related work as required.

The Shasta County Public Defender is currently providing exciting opportunities for adventurous, independent people searching for a meaningful career in public service. Experience the daily challenge and satisfaction of representing the interests of indigent people within the criminal justice system by applying for a Deputy Public Defender I/II/ or III position.

Applicants selected as members of our team may experience some of the benefits of living comfortably in the Redding area because of the affordable housing, lack of traffic congestion, the friendly community, and outdoor activities that suit every nature. In addition to living an amazing lifestyle, new deputies receive the benefit of participating in a comprehensive training program designed to develop jury trial skills, negotiation strategy & tactics, and legal knowledge.

Criminal Division

Attorneys within the Public Defender’s Criminal Unit, depending on experience level, can anticipate performing general legal duties in the area of criminal defense and representing clients charged with misdemeanor and/or felony offenses.  

Civil Division

The Public Defender’s Civil Unit represents children and adults in proceedings under the Probate Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code. Civil Unit attorneys will also get the opportunity to work collaboratively with attorneys in the Criminal Unit when clients have multiple cases that require overlapping representation.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

No single description of an ideal candidate could encapsulate the person perfect for a position in our office.  You could be the ideal candidate if you enjoy learning, thrive in a team environment, and aspire to become the best trial attorney possible. If you are interested in becoming a Deputy Public Defender, you will likely exhibit virtues such as intelligence, courage, spirit, and a natural desire to help people. By blending these attributes with an industrious personality and proper training, you can create a rewarding career within our office. You will find our office distinct from others throughout the state because we support and encourage personal and professional growth by emphasizing balance and providing career development opportunities structured to promote your success.   

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I:  This is the entry and trainee level in the alternately staffed Deputy Public Defender class series. Although duties may be common to the next higher class of Deputy Public Defender II, incumbents are typically assigned a variety of less complex cases and function within more clearly defined guidelines.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II:  This is the journey level in the alternately staffed Deputy Public Defender class series, and incumbents are expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment in handling assigned cases. Positions in this class are distinguished from positions in the next higher class of Deputy Public Defender III in that the latter are assigned the most complex and sensitive cases.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III:  Incumbents at this level in the alternately staffed Deputy Public Defender class series perform specialized legal work in criminal matters, which are more varied, complex, and sensitive in nature.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I: Defends misdemeanor cases; conducts defense in both court and jury trials; prepares briefs and legal opinions; conducts legal research; prepares correspondence and reports.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II: Defends misdemeanor, juvenile cases, and less serious felony cases; conducts defense in both court and jury trials; prepares briefs and legal opinions; conducts legal research; prepares correspondence and reports.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III: Defends all types of cases including the most serious and sensitive cases; conducts defense in both court and jury trials in all courts including juvenile court; prepares briefs and legal opinions; conducts legal research; prepares correspondence and reports; and may supervise, train, and evaluate a small staff.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I/II:

Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices with special emphasis on the rules of evidence and the Penal Code of the State of California.

Ability to: Perform legal research; investigate and defend assigned cases; analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems; present laws, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II: These employment standards are typically attained with one year of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender I with Shasta County or two years of experience as a practicing attorney.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III:

Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices; principles of criminal law and its application; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; legal research methods.

Ability to: Successfully defend criminal cases; perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems; present law, facts, evidence and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form, effectively represent the Public Defender’s Office in legal proceedings and hearings; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
 
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III: These employment standards are typically attained with two years of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender II, or three years of experience as a practicing attorney including at least one year in the practice of criminal law.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

• Active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Possession of an appropriate California driver license may be required.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

These questions are designed to assist you in presenting your qualifications for this position. Your answers to these questions and your employment application will be thoroughly evaluated in order to determine the most qualified applicants to be invited to an oral interview. It is expected that you will be as complete and specific as possible. Responses to supplemental questions may be attached as a separate document to the application, with total responses not to exceed two pages in length.

1. Do you have active membership in the California State Bar? Yes/ No
2. If yes to question #1, please provide your State Bar License number and upload a copy of your License. If no, has your certification for admission been accepted by the Supreme Court of California? If none, please type "N/A".
3. Have you passed the California Bar examination, but are currently pending the issuance of your license number? Yes/No
4. I acknowledge that this position requires an active membership in the California State Bar and a valid California Driver’s License. Yes/ No
5. Do you have one year of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender I with Shasta County or two years of experience as a practicing attorney? Yes/No
6. Do you have two years of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender II, or three years of experience as a practicing attorney including at least one year in the practice of criminal law? Yes/No
7. If yes to questions #4 or #5, please provide how long you’ve been a practicing attorney, and for which agencies/law firms. If none, please type “N/A”.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.
• Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPoster.pdf (Download PDF reader). If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at (530) 225-5515 to request a flyer.
• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – Professional Unit.
• Employees in this classification are covered under the CalPERS retirement program. Depending on the provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and other applicable laws, an employee in this classification will be covered under one of the following CalPERS retirement formulas: (1) 2% at 55, (2) 2% at 60, or (3) 2% at 62. An employee in this classification will also contribute up to 8.5% of his/her pay to this plan or will contribute such other amount to the plan as authorized by PEPRA and other applicable laws. Please visit our employees benefit page at https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/employee-benefits for additional information regarding benefits and CalPERS coverage information. The provisions in this flyer and on the County website are for information purposes only. To the extent the provisions of the flyer or the County website are inconsistent with PEPRA and other applicable laws, PEPRA and other applicable laws shall govern.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12:00 p.m., on December 06, 2024.  A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515