Deputy Public Defender I/II/III

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Shasta County Public Defender’s Office is recruiting for two practice areas: Adult Criminal Defense (felony and/or misdemeanor) and Juvenile Delinquency Defense. Applicants may request consideration for one or both assignments.

Deputy Public Defenders represent indigent individuals facing criminal charges or juvenile delinquency petitions. Both assignments offer meaningful opportunities for direct client advocacy, litigation experience, and participation in the Department’s ongoing training and professional development program.

Adult Criminal Assignment: Attorneys in this unit represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses, appearing daily in criminal courts, negotiating resolutions, litigating motions, and conducting jury trials. Shasta County’s active trial environment provides unparalleled opportunities to develop strong courtroom skills.

Juvenile Delinquency Assignment: Attorneys in this unit represent youth facing delinquency petitions under Welfare & Institutions Code § 602. This assignment is rooted in a rehabilitative legal framework and involves close collaboration with families, probation, and community partners. Juvenile attorneys regularly litigate jurisdictional and dispositional hearings, file motions, and advocate for client-centered, developmentally appropriate outcomes.

Candidates selected for either assignment will join a supportive, team-oriented office committed to holistic defense, client dignity, and high-quality representation.

The Shasta County Public Defender is currently providing opportunities for a meaningful career in public service, for growth and development, and the chance to directly impact our community. Bring your passion for public service and experience the daily challenge and satisfaction of representing the interests of indigent people within the criminal justice system.

We support and encourage personal and professional growth. Applicants selected as members of our team will receive the benefit of participating in a comprehensive training program designed to develop jury trial skills, negotiation strategy & tactics, and legal knowledge. Our office is distinct from others throughout the state because the Shasta County legal climate provides Deputy Public Defenders continuous opportunities to try cases.

You may also be assigned to a specialty civil unit including guardianships, adoptions, conservatorships, etc.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Deputy Public Defender I:This level is assigned to attorneys who have little to no previous criminal defense experience. Under close supervision, attorneys at this level are generally assigned a variety of less difficult assignments.

Deputy Public Defender II: This level is assigned attorneys with at least one year of experience in the practice of criminal law. Under close supervision, attorneys at this level perform work of average difficulty in all phases of criminal law and are expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment in handling assigned cases.

Deputy Public Defender III: Incumbents at this level perform specialized legal work in criminal matters, which are varied, complex, and sensitive in nature. Attorneys at this level are responsible for handling the most serious and sensitive cases including sexual assault, child molestation, and homicide. Attorneys will be required to handle their assignments independently, with minimal supervision.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a compassionate, client-centered advocate committed to serving marginalized and underserved populations. They possess strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a fast-paced caseload while maintaining high-quality representation. They are eager to grow professionally, collaborate with colleagues, and participate in frequent courtroom litigation. A commitment to holistic, ethical, and zealous advocacy is essential.

Adult Criminal Assignment:

The ideal candidate for the Adult Criminal Unit is a motivated, trial-ready attorney with a passion for courtroom advocacy. They thrive in a dynamic environment that requires multitasking, rapid case assessment, and strong negotiation skills. This candidate is comfortable handling high-volume calendars, collaborating with investigators and social workers, and developing creative legal strategies. They are interested in building strong trial skills and engaging in regular felony and misdemeanor jury trials.

Juvenile Delinquency Assignment:

The ideal candidate for the Juvenile Delinquency Unit is an empathetic advocate who is deeply committed to the rehabilitative goals of the juvenile justice system. They understand the unique needs of youth involved in the delinquency process including issues related to trauma, mental health, education, and family dynamics.

They value collaboration with parents, probation, schools, mental-health providers, and community organizations, and they embrace a holistic, future-oriented approach to representation. Knowledge of adolescent brain development, trauma-informed advocacy, and culturally responsive defense is especially valuable. While completion of the training required under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.664 is preferred, the Department will provide this training to a well-qualified candidate.

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 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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 III:

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Deputy Public Defender I: Active Membership in the State Bar of California

Deputy Public Defender II: One (1) year of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender I with Shasta County OR two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Deputy Public Defender III:Two (2) years of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender II OR three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney including at least one (1) year in the practice of criminal law.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid California driver license.
• Active Membership in the State Bar of California

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

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

• Do you have active membership in the California State Bar? If “Yes,” please provide your State Bar License number and upload a copy of your License. If “No,” type N/A.
• Has your certification for admission been accepted by the Supreme Court of California? Yes/No
• Do you have one (1) year of experience comparable to a Deputy Public Defender I or two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney? If “Yes,” please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If “No,” type N/A.
• Do you have two (2) years of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Public Defender II or three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney including at least one (1) year in the practice of law? If “Yes,” please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If “No,” type N/A.
• I acknowledge that this position requires an active membership in the California State Bar and a valid California Driver’s License. Yes/No
• Do you have an assignment preference (adult criminal, juvenile, or both)? If "Yes," list below. If "no" type N/A.
• If you are interested in the Juvenile Delinquency assignment, have you completed the minimum hours of training required under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.664? Yes/No

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. 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% 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-benefitsfor 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 these positions are filled. 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