Chief Deputy Public Defender

Position Information

Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office.

Starting salary up to $116.12/hour ($242,356/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are highly desired!

Duties

The Chief Deputy Public Defender management level positions provide oversight to staff and the operational functions within the Public Defender's Office. They handle the most complex legal work, assist in general office management, and develop department policies and procedures. Additional duties of a Chief Deputy Public Defender include:

• Supervising attorneys, strategizing legal issues, and assessing conflicts, providing training, coaching, and feedback
• Providing coverage for caseloads and/or assigning other attorneys to cover as needed, along with approving timesheets, time-off requests, and managing attorney schedules
• Handling a caseload and calendar as necessary
• Writing evaluations for attorneys
• Assisting the Public Defender with administrative tasks
• Collaborating with the courts and justice partners to resolve emerging issues
• Creating office efficiencies and implementing changes

The ideal candidate will possess a commitment to the concepts of holistic and client-centered defense. In addition to being patient, thoughtful, and having high emotional intelligence, they should possess a genuine interest in helping other attorneys by sharing their knowledge of defense theories, investigation strategies, and trial tactics. The ideal candidate will also possess:

• Experience and training in litigating a broad range of cases
• A commitment to the concepts of holistic and client centered representation
• Skills in leading, teaching, training, coaching, and mentoring other deputy public defenders to the highest standard of the practice
• Experience in supervising teams, working in management, navigating issues with criminal justice partners, and training in leadership development/skills or management classes
• A willingness and ability to facilitate consensus and inclusion when appropriate
• Cultural competency and sensitivity to the diversity of our office, our client base, and the community
• Exceptional analytical skills and strong written and oral communication skills
• The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with management peers, direct reports, other public defender employees, clients, and criminal justice partners
• High-level technical knowledge and the ability to adapt to the implementation of new systems as they become available to the office

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Bilingual Premium Pay* - An additional $1.15/1.50/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for basic/fluent bilingual positions
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Minimum Qualifications

Experience : Significant legal experience subsequent to membership in the State Bar of California that directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, five years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney with emphasis upon the preparation and trial of felony cases, including the equivalent of two years of experience at the level Deputy Public Defender IV with Sonoma County.

License : Current active membership in the State Bar of California. Possession of a valid California driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure, and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California.
• Considerable knowledge of effective supervisory techniques; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.
• Ability to research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to complex legal problems; plan, assign, coordinate and review the work of subordinate professional and support personnel; effectively orient, train, supervise and evaluate subordinate departmental personnel; prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form in all legal matters; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law enforcement agency officials, and the general public; understand and accept differences in human behavior, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.