What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy District Attorney II position at County of Santa Barbara?
- Description
- The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office has a vacancy for a Deputy District Attorney II. The vacancy is located in Santa Maria, California.Under direction, the selected candidate will perform a variety of criminal and civil investigations, trial preparations, and prosecutions; and perform related work as required. Deputy District Attorney II is the experienced level at which incumbents prepare and try a variety of cases in all court levels. May be required to mentor and train Deputy District Attorney Externs and/or new Deputy District Attorneys.
About the Department: The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney has offices in three locations in the County: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a "team" approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The Office is also dedicated to the ongoing training and skill development of Deputy District Attorneys, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including: gangs, vulnerable victims, and white collar crime. In addition, specialty courts such as DUI Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Restorative Justice Court, and Veterans' Treatment Court allow for collaboration between Deputy District Attorneys and other Court staff in an effort to improve the success rate of rehabilitation for criminal defendants in addition to reducing crime.
To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, please visit:
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: will have significant experience litigating complex cases that may include homicides, multiple defendant cases, gang cases, and/or child sex crimes. This experience must include complex legal research and writing. In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience working closely with law enforcement agencies, and will have good communication and relationship building skills. The candidate must have initiative, be organized, and work well as a team with colleagues. - Examples of Duties
- Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions; studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in prosecuting cases.
- Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and judgments.
- Prosecutes a variety of cases, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic trials and presentation of preliminary hearings.
- Performs related work such as preparing petitions, complaints, reports, and correspondence.
- Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, research, observing and seeking counsel from peer attorneys, and attending trainings; perform community outreach, which may include training law enforcement personnel and performing outreach at schools or community organizations that focus on public safety or justice.
- Employment Standards
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY II:
Active membership in the State Bar of California; with completion of the core courses required for a law degree; AND:
- One year of experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or two years as a general practicing attorney; OR,
- One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney I with Santa Barbara County; OR,
- A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.
Knowledge of: the principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law.
Ability to: appraise, interpret, and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare, present and conduct trials effectively; perform legal research; work effectively with others.- Supplemental Information
SELECTION PROCESS:
- Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
- Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verifications of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a 12-month probationary period.
Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Vaccination Verification and Testing: This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information.
BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here . In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:- Retirement reciprocity
- Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Friday, August 18, 2023 at 4:59 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Collin Graham, Senior Employment Analyst: cgraham@countyofsb.org
Salary : $102,720 - $123,856