Closing Date: 1st December, 2025
Description:
Position Information:The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced and passionate attorneys to join their team!
Starting salary up to $86.64/hourly ($180,828/annually) and a competitive total compensation package!*
The District Attorney's Office is recruiting to fill two Deputy District Attorney positions. One position is an ongoing position, and the other one is a time-limited position that is currently funded through June 30th, 2029, at either the Deputy District Attorney I, II, III, or IV level depending on qualifications. If you are interested in applying at the other levels, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for those levels.
The Positions
The Deputy District Attorney II is considered a senior member of the Misdemeanor Team who also handles felony case work. In this position, you will review police reports to determine whether the District Attorney's Office should file criminal charges. You will prosecute criminal cases from initial arraignment through completion, including jury trials. This position is also responsible for handling a high volume of cases and must actively engage with other attorneys.
The Ideal Candidates
In addition to holding a Juris Doctorate degree and being admitted to the California Bar, the ideal candidates possess experience that demonstrates an interest in practicing criminal prosecution. They will have one or more years of legal experience practicing as a licensed attorney, introductory experience with conducting jury trials, and a solid understanding of basic precepts of criminal law and procedure, a sound concept of legal research and writing, and the ability to independently handle daily court calendars. They will be selflessly committed to handling challenging work for the betterment of the community and dedicated to ensuring equal justice and equal access to the criminal justice system for all citizens of Sonoma County regardless of race, gender, sexual identity, ethnic origin, or nationality. The ideal candidate will also possess:
- Experience in trial advocacy or other aspects of California criminal law and has experience litigating jury trials and evidentiary hearings
- Prior attendance at trainings presented by the California District Attorneys Association is desirable
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in a public setting
- Effective negotiation skills when interacting with opposing attorneys
- Experience using an electronic case management system
- The ability to empathetically communicate with victims of crimes and other members of the public
- A team player mindset to actively engage with all members of the office
- The ability to thrive in a high demand, difficult decision-making environment
Please note: As a part of the minimum qualifications for the position, current, active membership in the State Bar of California is required. To meet this qualification, you must be sworn in as a current, active member of the State Bar of California at the time of application submission.
The District Attorney's Office
Under the leadership of the District Attorney, Carla Rodriguez, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is the largest legal office in the County and has a staff of 138 employees including attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and clerical support. Each year the office is referred approximately 4,800 felony cases and over 10,800 misdemeanor cases which include the full range of offenses.
What we offer:
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Hybrid Telework- A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- Salary Advancement- A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Deputy District Attorney III ($170,225 - $206,917 /annually)
- Paid Time Off- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Staff Development/Wellness- Annual benefit allowances of up to $1,250 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Annual Professional Development Benefit - $452
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
- Student Loan Debt Relief– County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) through the U.S. Department of Education
The District Attorney's Office is currently recruiting to fill two Deputy District Attorney positions at either the I, II, III, or IV levels. One position is an ongoing position, and one position is time-limited and currently funded through June 30, 2029. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Sonoma County Prosecutors' Association Memorandum of Understanding (https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution/scpa), (SCPA MOU) (https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution/scpa)and our Employee Benefits (https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/HR/Benefits) directory.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience: Legal experience subsequent to membership in the State Bar of California, which directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of legal experience practicing as a licensed attorney in a position comparable to Deputy District Attorney I in Sonoma County; or equivalent experience with another prosecuting agency, would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.
Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of: the duties, powers limitations, and authorities of the Office of the District Attorney; the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure, and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.
Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law enforcement agency officials, and the general public; understand and accept differences in human behavior, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience: Legal experience subsequent to membership in the State Bar of California, which directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of legal experience practicing as a licensed attorney in a position comparable to Deputy District Attorney I in Sonoma County; or equivalent experience with another prosecuting agency, would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.
Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of: the duties, powers limitations, and authorities of the Office of the District Attorney; the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure, and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.
Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law enforcement agency officials, and the general public; understand and accept differences in human behavior, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to fo
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