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CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY (#JH7 )

Apply as a Re-entry applicant

$96.62-$129.51 hourly / $16,747.00-$22,448.00 monthly / $200,969.60-$269,380.80 yearly


Definition

Under general direction, to plan, organize and direct the operation of either the Criminal Prosecution or the Administrative Division of the District Attorney's Office; to prosecute the most complex or sensitive cases; to serve as a member of the management team; to act for the District Attorney as assigned; and to do other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Class of Chief Deputy District Attorney serves under the direction and at the pleasure of the District Attorney. Positions in this class manage and direct the operations of either the Criminal Prosecution Division or the Administrative Division of the District Attorney's Office. Incumbents serve as a member of the management team to assist the District Attorney to conduct long range planning and set policies and procedures. This class serves as an Assistant Department Head and acts for the District Attorney as required.

Typical Tasks

In the Criminal Prosecution Division: Plans, organizes, directs, assigns and evaluates the work of attorneys engaged in prosecuting criminal cases in Superior and Municipal Court; assigns and rotates staff to assure that the difficulty and complexity of cases match the skill level of assigned attorney; sets objectives and performance standards; assures that staff is trained; serves as a member of the management team to conduct long range planning and formulate and set policies and procedures; prepares and monitors the division budget; prosecutes the most complex and sensitive cases; presents cases to the Grand Jury; coordinates prosecutions with the courts, law enforcement agencies, County Probation Department, and Attorney General's Office; interprets Attorney General's legal opinions, then sets and implements policies and procedures for staff and law enforcement agencies; in complex cases approves recommendations of subordinate staff of when to prosecute, compromise, dismiss or retry; issues press releases; represents the District Attorney at meetings and conferences as assigned; acts as a resource and internal consultant to staff, other County departments and local law enforcement agencies, prepares correspondence and reports; attends and/or conducts meetings and conferences.

In the Administrative Division: Plans, organizes and directs and evaluates through subordinate managers the work of staff in the following functions: Family Support, Public Administrator, Victim-Witness Assistance, Consumer Affairs and Administrative Services which includes budget administration, data processing, personnel and office systems; oversees the preparation and fiscal control of the departmental budget; plans, develops and implements the Departmental staff training and education program which includes attorneys and other professional staff; serves as a team member of the management team with the responsibility for researching and recommending long range plans and system wide projects; implements long range plans, system projects and policies and procedures; may prosecute special fraud and other special or sensitive cases; supervises the office's Affirmative Action and Safety Program; coordinates legislative review and research, and may propose and advocate for new laws; oversees and coordinates grant selection and application; may write and present grant applications; coordinates special projects, programs and grants which include other County departments and outside community and law enforcement agencies; acts as record security supervisor for California Department of Justice Criminal Information; acts as custodian of records to assure legal confidentiality is maintained; issues press releases; represents the District Attorney at meetings and conferences as assigned; acts as a resource and internal consultant to staff, other County departments and local law enforcement agencies; prepares correspondence and reports; attends and/or conducts meetings and conferences.

Employment Standards

Knowledge:

Criminal Prosecution

  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practice of criminal law;
  • Thorough knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence;
  • Thorough knowledge of legal research methods;
  • Thorough knowledge of effective courtroom presentation techniques and procedures;
  • Working knowledge of the principles and practice of supervision;
  • Some knowledge of budgeting procedures;
  • Some knowledge of office organization and management.

Administration

  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practice of criminal law;
  • Thorough knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence;
  • Working knowledge of civil law;
  • Working knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training;
  • Working knowledge of governmental budgeting procedures;
  • Working knowledge of the principles and practices of organization and management;
  • Working knowledge of work organization, simplification and layout;
  • Working knowledge of legal research methods and legislative review;
  • Some knowledge of governmental organization and functional responsibilities.

Ability to:

  • Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the operation of the assigned division in the District Attorney's Office;
  • Assign, train and evaluate the work of professional and support staff;
  • Exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment to solve difficult administrative, technical and personnel problems;
  • Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the courts, law enforcement agencies, staff and the public;
  • Prepare and present clear, concise and logical statement of facts, law, argument and technical and administrative reports;
  • Develop and implement policies, systems and procedures to improve operations;
  • Interpret, analyze, explain and apply complex laws, legal documents, rules and regulations.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the necessary skills and abilities, listed above is considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Five years of experience in the practice of the law, * including two years of administrative work or criminal prosecution.

*Notes: "Experience in the practice..." means only that experience gained after admission to a State Bar.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Membership in the California State Bar.

Miscellaneous

Analyst: JD

CLASS: JH7; EST: 8/1/1979; REV: 1/1/1986;