Deputy District Attorney IV

Description:

Position Information:
The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is seeking experienced and passionate attorneys to join their team!

Starting salary up to $114.44/hourly ($238,850/annually) and a competitive total compensation package!*

The District Attorney's Office (https://da.sonomacounty.ca.gov/) is currently recruiting to fill two Deputy District Attorney positions at either the Deputy District Attorney I, II, III, or IV levels depending on qualifications. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for those levels.

The Positions
As a Deputy District Attorney IV (DDA IV), you will be responsible for prosecuting the most complex and challenging cases in the office, including felony rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, and all homicide cases. This position requires the ability to work independently and exercise sound discretion in the prosecution and disposition of all manner of serious and violent felonies. In this role, you will demonstrate leadership skills and the ability and willingness to mentor less experienced prosecutors. The DDA IV is a senior position and operates with significant discretion to make independent decisions about most case dispositions and trials. The DDA IV prosecutor exercises this discretion within the rules of professional responsibility and office policy and is responsible for making significant decisions involve filing, disposition, and trial readiness for certain serious and violent felonies. These positions often handle specially assigned cases in addition to their normal duties, including homicides or other “high profile” cases.

The Ideal Candidates
In addition to holding a Juris Doctorate degree and membership in the California State Bar, the ideal candidates will have extensive experience in criminal felony prosecution, including jury trial experience in homicide and/or other complex, serious or violent felonies. They will be committed to handling challenging work for the betterment of the community and be 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 candidates will also possess many of the following:

• Experience with sensitive victims, language or cultural barriers, significant expert testimony, and multiple-defendant prosecutions
• Significant law and motion experience, including significant professional experience with research and drafting pleadings in complex matters
• Significant training in the prosecution of criminal cases under California state law
• Well-versed knowledge in the California Penal and Evidence Codes with a solid grasp of felony sentencing
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, judges and court staff, and members of the public
• A strong interest in criminal justice and a desire to assist crime victims and strive to provide the community with a safe place to live by holding the guilty accountable, protecting the innocent, and preserving the dignity of victims and their families
• The ability to thrive working in a fast-paced environment with short timelines
• Prior attendance at California District Attorneys Association or National District Attorneys Association seminars in Trial Practice, Felony Sentencing, and other areas relating to criminal prosecution is highly desired

Please note: A current, active member of the State Bar of California is required by date of hire, please see Questions 4 and 5.
 
The District Attorney's Office (https://da.sonomacounty.ca.gov/)

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. Our mission is to pursue justice for the people of Sonoma County through innovative prosecution, strategic legislative advocacy, and strong community partnerships, holding those who harm our community accountable while delivering victim-centered justice with integrity and professionalism. With a population in excess of 475,000, the office handles a wide variety of serious and complex criminal cases, as well as civil consumer protection and environmental crimes. Our core values are:

• Integrity – We uphold the highest ethical standards and do what's right, even when it's difficult
• Courage – We have the determination to fearlessly pursue justice, advocating relentlessly for victims and holding offenders accountable regardless of challenges or opposition.
• Results Focused – We pursue creative, evidence-based solutions that address harm, enhance public safety, and deliver meaningful justice for victims and our community.
• Professionalism – We conduct ourselves with competency, respect, and accountability while maintaining the highest standards of legal practice and public service.
• Victim Centered – We treat every victim with dignity, respect, and compassion while ensuring their voice is heard and their healing is supported throughout the justice process.

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
• 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 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. 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, (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.