Attorney IV - Public Defender

Attorney IV - Public Defender

Salary

$254,219.68 - $316,424.16 Annually

Location

Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-U15-A

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

09/02/2026

Closing Date

9/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

07

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under direction, to perform professional legal work in the Office of the Public Defender.

Typical Tasks

• Provides legal counsel to clients in serious and complex criminal and civil matters, including homicides, in Superior or Juvenile Courts;
• Conducts research and writes motions required for trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings;
• Conducts preliminary hearings;
• Evaluates investigation results and works closely with investigators and paralegals to prepare cases for trial and other hearings;
• Handles all aspects of felony cases from plea through trial including post-trial sentencing;
• Tries cases when necessary and appropriate to protect clients interests;
• Performs specialized legal work in serious and complex criminal cases;
• Provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public by personally responding to requests for service;
• Identifies and addresses competency and other mental health issues and needs;
• Serve in working groups with Justice System Partners as needed.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Active membership in the California State Bar is required upon appointment.

• AND-

Two years of experience as an Attorney III with Santa Clara County.

• OR-

Six years of experience in the full time practice of law in a government agency or in private practice.

• Experience as an attorney in a Public Defenders Office in another public agency may be considered equivalent for appointment or promotion in the corresponding Public Defenders Office in the County of Santa Clara.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employers names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A. Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

Indicate your status pertaining to the California State Bar.

• I am a member of the California State Bar.
• My membership has expired, and if selected I would be required to renew.
• I am not a member of the California State Bar.

03

Please list your California State Bar number. If none, type N/A

04

How many years of experience do you possess working as an Attorney III with Santa Clara County?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

05

How many years of experience do you possess working in the full-time practice of law in a government agency (outside of the County of Santa Clara) or in private practice?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

06

Please describe the experience you have as a Deputy Public Defender or as an attorney that you feel would contribute to the Office of the Public Defender in Santa Clara County. Provide any special training, litigation, capital litigation, supervision, or teaching experiences.

07

List the type and number of felony pretrial motions you have written and argued for the defense. In addition, list the five most important motions or writs you have researched, written, and filed. Provide the date, client name, docket number, charges, judge, issue(s) and result.

08

Please describe your experience in the use of expert witnesses and familiarity with common areas of forensic investigation, including fingerprints, ballistics, forensic pathology, cell tower, and DNA evidence.

09

Please describe your experience in the investigation, preparation, and presentation of evidence bearing upon mental status. Describe any 1368/1372 trials you have conducted, as well as work with quasi-civil cases, such as SVP and MDO cases, and any NGI or mental defenses you have presented.

10

Please describe your experience in the investigation, preparation, and presentation of mitigating evidence.

11

List the total number of misdemeanor jury trials you have completed for the defense.

12

List the total number of felony jury trials and court trials you have completed for the defense. In addition, provide the date, client name, docket number, charges, judge, result, and disposition for the last ten felony cases tried to a jury. Please provide in-court responsibilities for any second chair jury trial work listed.

13

List the number of homicide trials you have completed for the defense. In addition, provide the date, client name, docket number, charges, judge, result, and disposition. Please provide in-court responsibilities for any second chair jury trial work listed.

14

List all seminars or trainings you have attended in the last five years.

15

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

16

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify here. If not, type "N/A".

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/