Description:

Looking for a competitive compensation package at an organization that values integrity, ethics, and work-life balance in a stunning location?

Welcome to the County of Monterey!

At the County of Monterey, we're proud to be the employer of choice, dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining a talented and committed workforce. Join us and make a difference while enjoying life in paradise.
  • The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.
  • Join the Monterey County District Attorney's Office: Seek justice, promote public safety, and make a difference.
  • The Monterey County District Attorney's Office is looking for intelligent, ethical, and public-service minded attorneys who are passionate about seeking justice and ensuring public safety for the people of Monterey County and the State of California.
  • We are currently recruiting for entry-level Deputy District Attorney / Prosecutor I & II positions within our Criminal Division. Candidates who are awaiting their California Bar Examination results are highly encouraged to apply. Qualified candidates may be offered a paid certified post-bar position even before receiving their exam results. All applicants pending bar results will need to apply for post-bar certification with the State Bar.
  • Our office is headquartered at the Salinas Courthouse, with a satellite office in Monterey. The team consists of 53 prosecutors, with criminal prosecutors based in Salinas, and consumer and environmental protection prosecutors in Monterey. As an approved MCLE provider, we offer regular in-house trainings to support your professional development.
  • The Criminal Division is organized into the following units: Auto Insurance Fraud, Board of Parole Hearings, Civil Commitments, Disability & Healthcare Insurance Fraud, Driving Under the Influence, Filing, Gangs, General Felonies, Juvenile, Misdemeanors, Prison Crimes, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse, Truancy, Welfare Fraud, Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud, and Writs and Appeals.
  • The Civil Division handles cases in the following areas: Consumer Protection, Environmental Crimes, Cannabis Enforcement, Real Estate Fraud, Asset Forfeiture, and Weapon Forfeiture.
  • If you're looking to make an impact in a dynamic and supportive environment, we encourage you to apply and join our dedicated team!

Deputy District Attorney / Prosecutor I: (Salary: $8,060 – $11,008 Monthly)
This is the entry and first working level in the career series. Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar upon appointment but require no previous legal experience. Incumbents hired at this level work under the direction of more experienced prosecutors and are initially assigned to a criminal trial department handling misdemeanor prosecutions.

Deputy District Attorney / Prosecutor II: (Salary: $9,653 – $13,183 Monthly)
This is the second level in the career series. Incumbents at this level are expected to independently manage a routine caseload.

The District Attorney's Office may offer up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into a regular full-time position for these classifications from this recruitment.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to any higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Examples of Duties:
  • Prepares criminal and civil cases for pre-trial negotiations, hearings, and potential plea bargains.
  • Attends other scheduled court hearings, such as arraignments, pretrial hearings and motions, sentencings, and probation revocation.
  • Interviews and prepares victims, police officers and witnesses prior to court proceedings.
  • Researches questions of law and evidence and applies statutory and decisional case law, along with such other legal treaties as may be required in the preparation of cases for hearing in court.
  • Prepares legal briefs, motions, memorandums of points and authorities, documents, and pleadings.
  • Organizes facts and legal arguments and marshals; witnesses and evidence in preparation for trial and other court proceedings; determines nature of follow-up investigations needed for trial.
  • Prepares and prosecutes criminal and civil cases for court and/or jury trial which includes: presenting opening statements, questioning, and cross-examining witnesses, introducing evidence, making relevant objections, arguing points of law, and presenting closing arguments.
  • May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required.

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County HR website or click on either of the following links: Deputy District Attorney I - Deputy District Attorney II

The Successful Candidate
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Deputy District Attorney I:
A thorough knowledge of:
  • The ethical standards that apply to prosecutors and attorneys.

Some Knowledge Of:
  • The duties, responsibilities, powers and limitations of the Office of the District Attorney.
  • The methods of legal research and writing.
  • The rules of evidence.
  • The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
  • Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.

Deputy District Attorney II:
A thorough knowledge of:
  • The ethical standards that apply to prosecutors and attorneys.

A working knowledge of:
  • The duties, responsibilities, powers and limitations of the Office of the District Attorney.
  • The methods of legal research and writing. The rules of evidence.
  • The rules of evidence.
  • The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
  • Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.

Deputy District Attorney I:
Skills and ability to:
  • Independently manage heavy caseloads.
  • Conduct legal research.
  • Draft basic motions.
  • Prepare cohesive arguments to present to a judge and/or jury.
  • Question and cross-examine witnesses in a courtroom.
  • Organize and properly present items of evidence.
  • Present persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner.
  • Negotiate with defense attorneys regarding the disposition of charges under close supervision.
  • Review search warrants with close supervision, after receiving the appropriate training.
  • If assigned to the Civil Unit, collaborate with other prosecutors within the state on multi-jurisdictional consumer and environmental enforcement actions.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with team members, justice partners, and all those contacted in the course of work.
  • Take direction and implement feedback from one's supervisor.

Deputy District Attorney II:
Skills and ability to:
  • Independently manage heavy caseloads.
  • Conduct legal research.
  • Draft motions.
  • Prepare cohesive arguments to present to a judge and/or jury.
  • Question and cross-examine witnesses in a courtroom.
  • Organize and properly present items of evidence.
  • Present persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner.
  • Negotiate with defense attorneys regarding the disposition of charges under general supervision.
  • Review search warrants with general supervision.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with team members, justice partners, and all those contacted in the course of work.
  • Take direction and implement feedback from one's supervisor.
  • Prepare cases from issuance to sentencing.
  • Prepare and present preliminary hearings.
  • Handle juvenile proceedings.
  • If assigned to the Civil Unit, collaborate with other prosecutors within the state on complex multijurisdictional consumer and environmental enforcement actions.

Additional Information:
The required conditions of employment include but are not limited to the following: