Deputy Public Defender II/III/IV - Conservatorship and Specialty Court Attorney

**HIRE-ON INCENTIVES AVAILABLE**

THE COUNTY OF EL DORADO
The County of El Dorado is committed to promoting the power of public service by fostering a diverse and collaborative workplace where employees are empowered, respected, and valued. The dedicated efforts taken by the Board of Supervisors continue to promote El Dorado County as a competitive employer that is committed to recruiting and retaining qualified employees by advocating for competitive salaries and excellent benefits. The County of El Dorado is also supportive of providing telework opportunities for employees consistent with business needs and in accordance with the Board of Supervisors Policy E-12 - Telecommuting.

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE
The Public Defender's Office is committed to providing legal representation for people charged with criminal offenses who cannot afford to hire private counsel. The Public Defender’s office provides quality legal services in a compassionate and professional manner, providing constitutional balance to the El Dorado County legal system.

THE OPPORTUNITY
You will have the opportunity to perform advanced professional legal duties in support of the Public Defender's Office; provide public defense and legal services for high-profile court-appointed cases; perform complex legal research; plan and coordinate investigations for legal defense cases.

The selected candidate may be eligible for the following recruitment incentives:
Up to $6,000 to be paid in equal installments for the first twenty-six (26) consecutive biweekly pay periods in the position.
A fixed amount of additional vacation leave to be accrued in equal installments in each of the first twenty-six (26) consecutive biweekly pay periods of employment.
Up to $6,000 relocation expense reimbursement for moving expenses for the candidate’s household, including pets, when the candidate's primary residence is more than one hundred (100) miles from the assigned work location using the shortest commonly traveled route.
**Recruitment incentive and relocation expense reimbursement eligibility and administration are subject to the County of El Dorado Personnel Rules. Current County of El Dorado Employees are not eligible to receive recruitment incentives or reimbursement.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to:
Represent conservatees in conservatorship proceedings, including initial hearings, status reviews, review accountings, and petitions for termination or modification of conservatorship.
Represent clients in specialty court proceedings including mental health diversion cases.
Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support conservatees' positions and arguments.
Prepare and file legal documents, including petitions, motions, briefs, and other court filings.
Regularly visits clients to explain the conservatorship process and advise them of their rights.
Advocate zealously on behalf of the conservatees in court hearings and proceedings, presenting evidence and legal arguments to support their interests.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including social workers, medical professionals, and guardians ad litem, to ensure the holistic representation of conservatees.
Maintain accurate and up to date case records, documentation, and correspondence.
Stay informed about relevant laws, regulations, and legal developments impacting conservatorship proceedings.
Represent clients with mental health conditions who are eligible for mental health diversion programs, including both felony misdemeanor cases.
Collaborate with mental health professionals, court personnel, prosecutors, and other stakeholders to develop and implement diversion plans tailored to clients' individual needs.
Provide ongoing legal advice and counsel to clients regarding their rights, options, and obligation within the mental health diversion program.
Monitor clients' progress and compliance with diversion program requirements, including attending treatment sessions, counseling appointments, and court appearances.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The El Dorado County Public Defender’s office is seeking an exceptional attorney to join our team as a Specialty Court Attorney, which involves handling specialty courts such as mental health diversion, misdemeanor diversion, CARE Court (December 2024), and representation of persons facing conservatorship proceedings, including jury trials. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of legal expertise, compassion, and advocacy skills to effectively represent these vulnerable clients. This position offers a rewarding opportunity for someone with a passion for helping people and a commitment to promoting justice and equity. Experience in these specialty fields is a plus, but not a requirement. We will train the right candidate!

Located in the breathtaking beauty of rural El Dorado County, our office is not just a workplace, but a culture committed to making a real difference. Our perfect candidate goes beyond being a legal professional; they are a fervent advocate for fairness and equality, committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, receives zealous and compassionate representation. The ideal candidate will value the smaller caseload provided by a rural community setting.

Human Resources will assess your application to determine if you are minimally qualified using the following recommendations.

Education and Experience:

Deputy Public Defender I: (For reference only)
A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) degree from an accredited law school.

Deputy Public Defender II:
In addition to the education noted in the I-level, one (1) year of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense, is required.

Deputy Public Defender III:
In addition to the education noted in the I-level, one (1) additional year of experience (for a total of three [3] years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense, is required.

Deputy Public Defender IV:
In addition to the education noted in the I-level, two (2) additional years of experience (for a total of five [5] years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense. In addition, at this level, experience defending complex and high penalty cases with minimal supervision is required for advancement to the level of Deputy Public Defender IV.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California or Nevada Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.
Possession of an active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Click here to view the minimum qualifications for Deputy Public Defender II/III/IV as well as the physical, environmental, and working conditions.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Apply online by clicking the 'Apply' link at the top of this announcement. When your online application and responses to the required supplemental questions are complete, click 'Accept'.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, contact Kelly Gatchet in Human Resources at [email protected]

Click Here to get tips for applying with the County.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The Human Resources Department will screen all applications to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the recruitment process.

Training and Experience Evaluation
A training and experience evaluation will be utilized to determine an applicant's ability to continue in the recruitment process ranking for referral to specific vacancies. Based upon the information in the application and/or responses to supplemental questions, the applicant's education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.

Supplemental questions play an integral role in this recruitment process. Please take the time to provide thoughtful and thorough responses. The information you provide may be used to determine your ranking for referral to specific vacancies. All work experience described or included in your response(s) MUST be included in your application's "Work Experience" section. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation.

For more information on the recruitment process, click here.

Based on the department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The County of El Dorado is recruiting applicants for Deputy Public Defender II/III/IV-Conservatorship and Specialty Court Attorney. This recruitment will establish a list for the purpose of filling current and future full-time, part-time, and extra help vacancies for at least three (3) months. In accordance with Personnel Rules 1103.1 and 1105.1, an extra help or limited term employee may be transitioned into a regular employee if the department in which the employee works has a vacant allocated position for the same classification as held by the extra help or limited term employee and the appointing authority requests such transfer.

If you are interested in the position of Deputy Public Defender II/III/IV-Conservatorship and Specialty Court Attorney, please submit your application.

We currently have the following vacancies:

One (1) full-time vacancy in the Public Defender's Office, located in Shingle Springs, CA.
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II - $9,085 to $11,048 monthly
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III - $10,394 to $12,633 monthly
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER IV - $12,029 to $14,624 monthly

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.

The County of El Dorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

As required by Internal Revenue Service Publication 1075, individuals in positions that have access to Federal Tax Information (FTI), will be subject to a background investigation and a criminal history check. In addition, individuals hired into positions that have access to FTI will be re-investigated at least once every ten (10) years.

Many job classifications require pre-employment medical screening. Depending on the job classification, medical screening may include drug testing; a positive test may result in revocation of an employment offer.

Not just rustic mining towns and historic sites - Today El Dorado County is a year-round vacation destination overflowing with outdoor adventure, inviting agritourism locations, enriching family activities, and a proud Gold Rush history.

Escape the traffic and smog because El Dorado County is just:

40 miles from Downtown Sacramento
50 miles from Sacramento Airport
129 miles to San Francisco
Here are a few of the many activities and events available throughout El Dorado County:

Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Boating, and Watersports
Skiing and Snowboarding
Live Music and Music Festivals
Local Craft Breweries and Wineries
El Dorado County Fair
Placerville Speedway
Farm to Fork Restaurants
Local Shopping Gems