Collaborative Courts Deputy District Attorney III
Salary
$128,835.20 - $155,604.80 Annually
Location
Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, CA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
26-2252-02 (O)
Department
District Attorney
Opening Date
04/28/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Description
Notice of change: An update to the examples of duties and the posting has been moved to open until filled
DDA III Salary: $128,835.20 - $155,604.80 Annually
The Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office currently has multiple Deputy District Attorney III vacancies located throughout the County of Santa Barbara. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. Please select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands.
About the Department: The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime.
The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a "team" approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including violent crimes, gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime.
The Position:
Under general direction, represents the People of the State of California in specialized collaborative courts and diversion programs. Evaluates criminal cases for eligibility for treatment and diversion opportunities, appears in court, and works closely with justice system partners to promote public safety, victim interests, offender accountability, and successful rehabilitation.
The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced prosecutor who demonstrates sound judgment, strong courtroom advocacy, and excellent interpersonal skills. They exercise thoughtful prosecutorial discretion while balancing public safety, victim interests, offender accountability, and rehabilitation. They work effectively with judges, defense counsel, Probation, Behavioral Wellness, treatment providers, law enforcement agencies, and community partners. Experience handling cases involving mental illness, substance use disorders, behavioral health issues, or collaborative justice programs is desirable but not required. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, collaborative, and committed to evidence-based practices that reduce recidivism while maintaining accountability.
Collaborative Courts Assignment
To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office, visit: https://da.countyofsb.org/. You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A?si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's must possess strong moral standards and adhere to ethical standards of the California Bar. Specifically, be disciplinary-free from Rules 3.8 and 5-110 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Deputy District Attorney I/II/III/IV/Senior is a flexibly staffed series. Deputy District Attorney III is distinguished from Deputy District Attorney IV in that the latter handles the more difficult work.
Examples of Duties
Employment Standards
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY III:
The employment standards for a Deputy District Attorney III are as follows:
Active membership in the State Bar of California AND
Two years experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or four years as a general practicing attorney; OR
One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney II with Santa Barbara County; OR
A combination of training , education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities and license.
Additional Qualifications For Both Positions: Possession of a valid California Class C Drivers License may be required.
Knowledge of: the organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law.
Ability to: appraise, interpret, and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare, present and conduct trials effectively; perform legal research; work effectively with others.
Supplemental Information
SELECTION PROCESS:
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of one year.
BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, click on Benefits Tab above or HERE.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Open until filled. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Collin Graham, Recruiter: cgraham@countyofsb.org
Retirement Plans
Health Benefits
Paid Time Off
Miscellaneous Benefits
Compensation Summary
01
The current collaborative court vacancies are located in Santa Maria or Santa Barbara. However, all candidates hired can be placed at any location and transferred to another location during your employment with the County. Please be sure to select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. Note - travel to all of these locations may be required depending on the business needs of the department.
02
One of the requirements is having an Active membership in the State Bar of California. You are required to put your Bar License Number and expiration date on your application under Licenses. Please select one of the following statements.
03
For the Deputy District Attorney III (DDA III) position, you are also required to have two years of experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or four years as a general practicing attorney; OR, One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney II with Santa Barbara County; OR, A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and California State license. Please provide information on how you meet the requirements of the DDA III position.
04
We ask that when answering the following questions that you are honest and truthful. Misrepresentation or falsification of information on an application or on the supplemental is grounds for disqualification and/or termination of employment. The County reserves the right to investigate the accuracy of any information submitted.
05
The following questions are a CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION that will determine your ranking on the employment list. Please read and answer them carefully. I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be SCORED and used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: https://www.countyofsb.org/1444/Civil-Service-Rules
06
How many felony criminal jury trials have you completed as a Prosecutor?
07
How many misdemeanor criminal jury trials have you completed as a Prosecutor?
08
How many years of experience do you possess as a Lead Prosecutor?
09
Select the box that most accurately reflects your experience with criminal law and motions you have filed on behalf of "The People". Proper motions to consider are 1538.5, 995, Motions in Limine, et al. Do not include any 1050 or boilerplate motions.
10
How many years of experience do you possess conducting legal trainings or seminars as a Prosecutor?
Required Question
Employer County of Santa Barbara
Address 1226 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, California, 93101