Deputy Public Defender I-IV

Recruitment #18-313030-04

Introduction

Protecting Fundamental Rights


The mission of the Solano County Public Defender is to defend the poor, the friendless, the abused, the down-trodden and the mentally ill with compassion, respect, creativity and determination.  In doing this, we guard the rights of all people by defending the Constitution.


The Public Defender’s Office strives to:

  • Treat each client with dignity
  • Fight for a legal system
  • Tenaciously litigate for our clients
  • Provide client-centered representation
  • Proactively seek new knowledge
  • Collaborate as a team
  • Strive for continue excellence 

To learn more about the Public Defender's Office, please visit:
http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/pubdefender/home.asp

The Position

The Public Defender of Solano County invites you to apply for the position of Deputy Public Defender I-IV. Public Defender's Office is recruiting for a full-time regular position. The current vacancy can be filled at level between  Deputy Public Defender I-IV, depending on the successful candidate's qualifications. The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur in the Public Defender's Office.

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE:

Deputy Public Defender I ($5,969.40 to $7,255.84/month):  No experience required; however, applicants must demonstrate possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities.

Deputy Public Defender II ($8,079.23 to $9,820.42/month): A minimum of six months of criminal defense and trial experience as a Deputy Public Defender I or its equivalent which demonstrates possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities. Three years of experience in the general practice of law may be substituted for the six months criminal law experience.  

Deputy Public Defender III (Salary $9,291.17 to $11,293.52/month) A minimum of one year criminal defense and trial experience as a Deputy Public Defender II or its equivalent (a total of one and one-half years of criminal defense and trial experience as a Deputy Public Defender) which demonstrates possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities. Four years of experience in the general practice of law may be substituted for the two years criminal law experience.

Deputy Public Defender IV (Salary $10,686.96 to $12,990.06/month) A minimum of one year of criminal defense and trial experience as a Deputy Public Defender III or its equivalent (a total of two and one-half years of criminal defense as a Deputy Public Defender) which demonstrates possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities. Five years experience in the general practice of law may be substituted for three years criminal law experience.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Active membership in the California State Bar Association is required.

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C California driver's license may be required.   

 

To view the job descriptions which include the requisite knowledge and abilities, please visit:

Deputy Public Defender I http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15706

Deputy Public Defender II http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15707

Deputy Public Defender III  http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15708

Deputy Public Defender IV http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15709

BENEFITS

n Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2018 calendar year is $1,520.73 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

 

n Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.  

 

n Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.  

 

n Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years. Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

 

n The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year. 

 

n Effective July 1 of each year, employees are granted 80 hours of Attorney Time Off.

 

n Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years.

 

To review the benefits for this position, please visit:
http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16491

Selection Process

07/27/2018 - Deadline to submit application.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office, and are due by the final filing date. 

 

Previously submitted application materials (i.e. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for priorrecruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment
Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

Document Submittal Requirements

Active membership in the California State Bar Association is required for this position. All applicants are encouraged to submit proof of membership by the final filing deadline.  There is no required document submittal for this recruitment; however, all applicants that are an active member of the California State Bar Association are required to enter their active California State Bar Number on their submitted employment application.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person, by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA 94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email at recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Deputy Public Defender I-IV) and the recruitment number (18-313030-04). If emailing, please include the recruitment title and number in the subject field.

Supplemental Questionnaire

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history. 

 

1.

Briefly explain any experience or training you have had working with multi-cultural ethnic groups and/or indigent persons which you feel would aid you in performing the duties of a Deputy Public Defender I-IV.

2.

Describe any experience as a student, law clerk or practicing attorney in which you assumed the role of advocate in a litigation context. If you have actual trial experience indicate:

  • The number and nature of trials
  • Any particular information about each trial that you believe the Panel should know
3.

    Describe any aspect of your background and experience which you feel demonstrates a substantial interest or motivation in indigent criminal defense work.

  • What special attributes or characteristics do you feel you would bring to the position of Deputy Public Defender I that would particularly distinguish you?

Supplemental Information

Independent travel may be required.

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23215.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Solano County

Click here to take a video tour of Solano County.

The County of Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

Solano County is centrally located and serves as a gateway to all that Northern California has to offer. The Napa Valley is less than 20 miles away, two world-class public universities (UC Berkeley and UC Davis) are 20 miles away, and both San Francisco and Sacramento are less than 40 minutes away. Day trips can also be made to South Lake Tahoe and Monterey.

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

County Population (2016): 431,498

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER