Under
policy direction from the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, and in
coordination with the County Administrator, directs and administers the
operations of the Public Defender’s Office.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Public Defender is a
single-position, at-will class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil
Service System. The incumbent is
responsible for leading, managing and administering the programs, functions,
budgets, operations and staff of the Public Defender’s Office and for
participating in the preparation and defense of a variety of criminal and civil
matters. The incumbent ensures that assigned programs and operations comply
with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as with policies established
by the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator. The incumbent is expected to model a strong
work ethic and leadership skills, including accountability for oneself and
others.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive, and
the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand
beyond those identified in this specification.
Plans, organizes and directs the programs,
functions, budgets, operations, and staff of the Public Defender’s Office;
directs operations to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce
administrative and service provision costs, and ensure effective utilization
ofavailable resources; exercises good
judgment and makes sound business decisions in managing activities; provides
strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment
of the organizational mission, vision, and values.
Through subordinate managers and
supervisors, manages the work activities and responsibilities assigned to
staff; directs and administers personnel matters, including employee selection,
assignment, and evaluation; directs disciplinary actions if needed; directs and
oversees staff development and training.
Directs the development and administration
of the budget for the Public Defender’s Office; determines appropriate levels
of customer service; analyzes services to ensure cost effectiveness and
superior customer service; confers with management staff to develop workload
standards and direct operational changes as needed.
Directs staff in preparing cases and
representing clients in criminal and civil matters in both court and jury
trials and hearings, including criminal defense, parole and post-release
supervision violations, juvenile delinquency and dependency, mental health,
probate, adoption, civil contempt and termination of parental rights; advises
subordinate attorneys in the preparation of cases and defense of clients;
serves as resource person for other attorneys.
Directs staff in the most difficult plea
bargaining matters; confers with prosecution attorneys, probation authorities,
and court officials to discuss pleas, modification of changes, presentation and
review of evidence, and other legal matters; participates in mediation hearings
to resolve legal problems without further court action.
Directs staff in recommending cases that
should be appealed; directs the preparation and presentation of appealed cases.
Attends meetings and conferences and
represents the office of the Public Defender; provides information on matters
germane to areas of assignment; participates on committees and task forces;
develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with
federal, state and county officials, the courts, community groups and the
public; meets and confers with various agents to negotiate effective solutions
to difficult problems.
Within the Public Defender’s Office,
directs and manages the effective development and utilization of technology to
improve systems and processes.
Performs
related work as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Seven years of senior-level managerial attorney experience, including five years in the practice of criminal defense in a public agency setting.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Special Requirement: Membership in the California State Bar.
KNOWLEDGE
The principles and practices of criminal and civil law and their
application; judicial procedures and the rules of evidence; principles,
methods, materials and practices of legal research; principles and practices of
public administration, including effective organization, administration, fiscal
management, and supervision; state and local laws and ordinances; social,
political and economic issues influencing program administration; modern office
automation technology and computer software relevant to assigned operations.
ABILITY
Plan and direct the operations and programs associated with a public
agency criminal defense office in a cost-effective manner while also ensuring
excellent customer service; provide appropriate and
effective leadership and management over diverse staff teams, including
subordinate managers and supervisors; exercise independent judgment, initiative
and discretion and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and
critical thinking to analyze complex factual legal problems and recommend
solutions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; prepare and
deliver thorough and comprehensive written documents; give oral presentations
to groups; direct the utilization of complex automated systems and manage local
area automation efforts, including the direction of systems development,
maintenance, and operation; establish and maintain effective working
relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including other
County departments, courts, external agencies, employees, and the general
public.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—frequent sitting for long periods; frequent walking;
occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing stairs;
frequent operation of a data entry device; Lifting—frequently 5 pounds or less;
occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—constant good overall vision
and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand
coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking—frequent
hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Dexterity—frequent use of
normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motion; Emotional/Psychological—frequent decision-making, concentration, and public
contact; Special Requirements—may occasionally require working nights
and weekends; Environmental—frequent work in an indoor office environment;
occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Notify Me when a Job Opens for the above position(s)