Public Defender

CAREER OPPORTUNITY
PUBLIC DEFENDER
COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
ANNUAL SALARY: $216,882 - $290,597

The County of Santa Cruz seeks a PUBLIC DEFENDER to establish a new office to provide impassioned criminal defense legal services to indigent clients. The Public Defender must bring leadership and organizational development skills to successfully stand up the County’s first governmental Public Defender’s Office as we transition from the County’s current contracted indigent defense law firm. This is a unique opportunity to build the office from the ground up, with a foundation of talented, engaged, and experienced public defenders. The ideal candidate will be an active member in the California State Bar, up for a challenge, and lead with confidence and compassion. This candidate will defend those less fortunate with courage, coordinate with partners to build innovative programs to reduce recidivism and construct an office that is prepared, skilled, and ready to apply their legal skills to assist their clients. The Public Defender will work across agencies and people (elected officials, community-based organizations, courts, public safety departments) to deliver equitable, and effective services. This candidate is a leader, who is committed to supporting their team and building an office that is client centered and reflects the values of the community, and leverages information technology to achieve county goals. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so apply today to lead this exciting transition and have a positive impact on thousands of lives in our community!

THE JOB:
The Public Defender manages a budget of approximately $13M, and once the office has transitioned will manage a support and legal team of approximately 45 (23-26 attorneys, 8-10 investigators, 6-9 admin and support staff). The Public Defender will assist other deputy public defenders with caseloads, court calendars, and facilitate regular meetings, with a consistent focus on developing new and experienced attorneys, investigators, and support staff. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and providing administrative oversight of operations, budget, grants, employee relations and other personnel matters, department policy and procedures, and fostering respectful working relationships among County departments, intergovernmental agencies, courts, and various public and community groups. This position is at-will and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The incumbent works independently with administrative oversight from the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Officer.

Our Ideal Candidate…
Our ideal candidate will be available, accessible, an excellent communicator, and preferably know of, or be able to quickly acclimate to the Santa Cruz County justice system and governmental operations. The Public Defender will be confident, emotionally intelligent, and influential, with unshakeable ethics and a commitment to defending clients with courage, compassion, and competency. The successful candidate is an experienced defense professional who considers equity, inclusion, and diversity in all business practices, and is committed to a community action philosophy to break the cycle of repeat offenders. This candidate is an experienced trial attorney, and able to defend the full range of public defense cases, including life and capital cases, and will serve as a knowledgeable and engaged resource for staff and the community.

Your legal background should include:
• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
• Ideally, 10 plus years of increasingly responsible legal experience with emphasis upon the preparation and trial of felony cases, including three years of experience in the supervision of attorneys.
• Must be a practicing attorney in all the courts of the State for at least the year preceding the date of appointment (per CA Government Code Section 27701).
• Current active membership in the California State Bar.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Budgetary and administrative experience is highly desirable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
$216,882 - $290,597 DOE/DOQ annual salary, and a generous benefit program that includes retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and time off.

For full details, https://wbcpinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dept-Head.pdf.

HOW TO APPLY:
This position will remain open until filled, however for first consideration, apply by July 21, 2021; candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.
• Apply At: https://apptrkr.com/2324337

SAVE THE DATES!
Interviews will be IN PERSON and take place on August 25th and August 26th; candidates will need to be available for both days.

Please contact your recruiter, Wendi Brown, with any questions:
• [email protected]
• 866-929-WBCP (9227) toll free
• 541-664-0376 (direct)