Closing Date: 5th October, 2026
Description:
Position Information:Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office!
Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are highly desired but not required!
Starting salary up to $81.81/hour ($170,747/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*
This Deputy Public Defender I Project position can be filled at the I or II level, depending on the candidate's qualifications. Deputy Public Defender I - Project is an entry-level class in which incumbents initially work under the close supervision and guidance of a higher level deputy on initial assignments. After completing an orientation and training period, incumbents are assigned to cases requiring the application of greater skills, knowledge and ability in the law with less supervision as experience is gained. As attorneys gain sufficient experience and meet or exceed performance standards, they are eligible for promotion to subsequent levels in the series, up to level IV. If you are interested in being considered for the Deputy Public Defender II - Project level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment being conducted for that level.
Note: This position is currently funded by the Expanded Public Defense Services Grant from the Office of the State Public Defender through June 30, 2028. The grant funds the creation and operation of the Early Representation Unit (ERU), which provides timely, holistic legal representation within 24 hours of booking for individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, or housing instability, including rapid legal intervention; coordination with behavioral health, housing, and community-based providers; quarterly advisory committee participation; and data reporting on program effectiveness.
At this level of the position, you will perform legal work of less complexity than higher levels, involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. Under the guidance of more experienced attorneys, you will work directly with clients and:
- Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs
- Prepare pleadings and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings
- Conduct general legal research
- Interview and advise clients
As the ideal candidate, you will have a substantial interest in criminal defense work and possess many of the following:
- Experience working as a law clerk or other professional legal position
- Excellent research and writing abilities
- Knowledge of post-conviction relief
- Demonstrable excellence in public speaking
- Experience in and/or with a Public Defender's office
- Completion of any California Public Defender's Association training seminars is desired, but not required
The Public Defender's Office (https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/justice-services/public-defender)
The Sonoma County Public Defender's Office is committed to providing excellent legal representation and zealous advocacy for individuals who are financially unable to retain counsel and who are entitled to court appointed counsel under the United States and California Constitutions or by statute. The Office represents persons charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses. Additionally, the Office provides representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health proceedings, conservatorships, contempt matters, and probate and welfare proceedings where the law provides for appointed counsel.
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 Public Defender II - Project ($153,528 - $186,630/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 through the U.S. Department of Education
The Public Defender's Office is currently recruiting to fill a Deputy Public Defender - Project position at either the I or II level. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time Deputy Public Defender I - Project 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.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience: None required.
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.
The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California; 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 other staff 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 follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable leng
