Deputy Public Defender I / II / III / IV / V - Extra-Help Deputy Public Defender I / II / III / IV / V

Salary : $77,459.20 - $182,665.60 Annually

Location : Merced County Public Defender 1944 M Street Merced, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 2500825

Department : Public Defender

Opening Date : 11 / 12 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Bargaining Unit : 07 Attorneys

Examples of Duties

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both full time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay rate is from $37.24 to $72.11 per hour.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases; Interviews and advises defendants and witnesses.
• Interprets and applies laws, court decisions, etc. in the preparation of cases and briefs.
• Prepares pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, conservatorships, and other legal proceedings; Performs legal research and investigations.
• Examines evidence and prepares and presents the case for the defense in assigned criminal actions.
• Performs administrative duties for the Public Defender; Dictates correspondence and reports.
• Assists the Chief Deputy Defender and the Public Defender as needed.
• Level V- Lead, provide mentorship and direction to other attorneys; May assist in training other professional staff.
• Level V-Demonstrates necessary proficiency, diligence, and quality of representation appropriate for capital cases.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience : Level I : None.

Level II : One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.

Level III : Two (2) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.

Level IV : Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender III in Merced County. OR Four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.

Level V : Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender IV with Merced County OR Six (6) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.

License :

Active membership in the State Bar of California at time of appointment.

Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES

VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

96 hours per Fiscal Year.

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE

HEALTH INSURANCE

Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units.

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

Vision Insurance - VSP

DISABILITY INSURANCE

Management Disability Insurance

LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24 / 7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND / OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7682.

01

Do you have an active membership status with the California State Bar Association?

02

What is your California State Bar license number?

03

This recruitment is being established to fill both full time and part time positions. Please indicate below all types of work you would be willing to accept :

Required Question