Closing Date: 1st December, 2025
Description:
Position Information:The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is seeking experienced and passionate attorneys to join their team!
Starting salary up to $111.11/hourly ($231,899/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
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. Significant decisions involve filing, disposition, and trial readiness for certain serious and violent felonies. This position often handles specially assigned cases in addition to their normal duties, including homicides or other “high profile” cases.
The Ideal Candidates
Successful 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 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:
- 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 of their own pleadings in complex matters
- Significant training in the prosecution of criminal cases under California state law
- Well-versed in the California Penal and Evidence Codes and will have a solid grasp of felony sentencing
- 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
- 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 communicator with the ability to empathetically communicate with victims of crimes and other 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 dignity of victims and their families
- The ability to thrive working in a fast-paced environment with short timelines
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
- 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, four years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney, including two years of experience at a level comparable to Deputy District Attorney III in Sonoma County; or four years of legal experience as a licensed attorney with two years of related experience to specialty assignments such as Environmental and Consumer Law or Appellate practice; or equivalent experience with another prosecuting agency, would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.
Special qualifications: Specialty training courses focusing on felony prosecutions, or environmental, consumer, or appellate practice.
Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California. Possession of a valid driver's license may be required for certain assignments.
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:
Thorough knowledge of: the duties, powers, limitations and authorities of the office of the District Attorney.
Extensive knowledge of: the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure, and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California and the United States; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.
Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles,
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, four years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney, including two years of experience at a level comparable to Deputy District Attorney III in Sonoma County; or four years of legal experience as a licensed attorney with two years of related experience to specialty assignments such as Environmental and Consumer Law or Appellate practice; or equivalent experience with another prosecuting agency, would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.
Special qualifications: Specialty training courses focusing on felony prosecutions, or environmental, consumer, or appellate practice.
Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California. Possession of a valid driver's license may be required for certain assignments.
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:
Thorough knowledge of: the duties, powers, limitations and authorities of the office of the District Attorney.
Extensive knowledge of: the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure, and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California and the United States; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.
Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles,
