Description
SALARY: Level I: $5,239- $6,395; Level II: $6,024- $7,354; Level III: $6,961 - $8,498; Level IV: $9,067- $11,074; Level V: $10,174- $12,415; Paid Bi-weekly.
It is anticipated that this recruitment will close on December 19, 2018. The filing period may be extended further or close as early as five business days from the issue date, if necessary.
Level I: Under supervision, to perform the less difficult entry-level legal work in the Office of the Public Defender; and to do related work as required.
Level II: Under direction, to perform responsible legal work of average difficulty, complexity, and responsibility in the Office of the Public Defender; and to do related work as required.
Level III: Under direction, to perform responsible legal work of above average difficulty, complexity, and responsibility in the Office of the Public Defender; and to do related work as required.
Level IV: Under direction, to perform difficult, complex, and significantly responsible legal work in the Office of the Public Defender; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the senior working level within the flexible classification of Deputy Public Defender. Incumbents are responsible for handling a high volume caseload, principally comprised of complex and difficult cases, and may be asked to train and oversee the work of less tenured staff. Supervisory responsibilities may be assigned for specified periods of time. This classification is distinguished from Deputy Public Defender III by the degree of complexity and sensitivity of the projects assigned, discretion exercised and supervision received. Promotion in this flexible classification is considered on a merit basis subject to recommendation by the department head, and approval by the Chief Human Resources Officer.
Level V: Under general direction, to perform the most difficult, complex, and responsible legal work in the Office of the Public Defender; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Deputy Public Defender V is the highest level within the flexible classification of Deputy Public Defender. Budget and organizational constraints determine the number of positions that will be filled to the V level. This classification is distinguished from Deputy Public Defender IV by consistently handling the most difficult, serious, and complex case assignments; including the ability to capably and effectively handle capital case (death penalty) assignments or matters of comparative complexity and scope. Incumbents may also be required to supervise. Promotion in this flexible classification is considered on a merit basis subject to recommendation by the department head, and approval by the Chief Human Resources Officer.
Essential Functions
Level I:
Represents clients in connection with adult criminal, juvenile delinquency and/or dependency matters; conservatorship, mental health, and appellate matters.
Interviews clients; prepares cases for pre-trial hearings and trial by initiating appropriate investigations, working to engage necessary experts, and researching legal issues.
Prepares and litigates appropriate pre-trial motions.
Litigates contested hearings, including misdemeanor jury trials.
Performs limited post-conviction work, including motions to modify probation, and represents clients at revocation hearings.
Travels to, and personally meets with, in-custody adult clients; detained and placed dependent and wardship minors; and/or conserved individuals at county jail, state prisons, and other correctional, detention, placement, and other off-site locations.
Level II: (in addition to above)
Represents clients at preliminary hearings, misdemeanor, and/or low level felony jury trials.
Represents Public Defender clients in Juvenile dependency, and delinquency matters; conservatorship, mentally disordered offender (MDO), and sexually violent predator (SVP) client matters.
Applies knowledge of substantive and procedural criminal law, and law applicable to various responsibilities involving the effective representation of Public Defender clients.
Level III: (In addition to above)
Litigates contested hearings, including those involving felony mid-level trial work, and periodic assignment to serious and/or violent cases.
Performs interlocutory appellate and limited post-conviction work, including motions to modify probation; prepares and litigates writs, habeas petitions, and represents clients at revocation hearings.
Represents clients at preliminary hearings, misdemeanor and/or lower and mid-level felony jury trials.
Level IV: (in addition to above)
Litigates contested hearings, including serious, difficult, and complex felony jury trials.
Serves as lead defense counsel in homicide cases; or an equivalent level of senior attorney non-felony trial work.
May be assigned unit supervision duties for specified periods of time.
Level V: (In addition to above)
Represents clients in connection with adult criminal; juvenile delinquency, and/or dependency matters; conservatorship, mental health, and appellate matters.
Litigates contested hearings, including the most serious, difficult, and complex felony jury trials.
Serves as lead defense counsel in capital prosecutions; or senior attorney level non-felony trial work dealing with commensurately complex matters involving the highest levels of responsibility.
OTHER FUNCTIONS: (All levels)
Performs other job-related duties as required.
This examination will establish one eligible list from which appointments will be made at the County Counsel's Office. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.
APPRAISAL (Weight 100%): of training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the work based on any combination of the following: Investigation, oral exam and rating of application. Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice. Please ensure ALL applicable certificates are attached to your application. If you are unable to attach the certificates to your application, you may e-mail them to [email protected] or submit them to the Human Resources Division at 1115 Truxtun Ave. First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
THE COUNTY OF KERN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Item 1260/1254/1248/1242/1240
Employment Standards
Level I: Applicant must be licensed by the California State Bar;
Level II: Applicants must be licensed by State Bar of California and have one (1) year of experience in the practice of law;
Level III: Applicants must be licensed by the California State Bar and have two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal and/or civil law;
Level IV: Licensure by the California State Bar, and three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal and/or civil law.
Level V: Licensure by the California State Bar, and seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal and/or civil law.
All applicants: must have the ability to travel to locations outside of the regular office to perform necessary legal services; have knowledge of the principles of law and their application, including criminal law; knowledge of trial procedure and the rules of evidence; knowledge of legal research methods; ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically; ability to maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to evaluate people and to obtain information through interrogation.
Supplemental
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
All Kern County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2-Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.
Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at county expense.