Introduction
This recruitment is being given to fill multiple vacancies in the District Attorneys Office and to establish an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies. Applicants that have recently taken the Bar exam and are awaiting results are encouraged to apply for the entry-level class Deputy District Attorney I. Please note appointments will not be made until applicants can provide proof of membership in the California State Bar.
Deputy District Attorneys provide professional legal services in the preparation and prosecution of a variety of criminal and some civil matters.
You may apply for:
• Deputy District Attorney I • Deputy District Attorney II • Deputy District Attorney III • Deputy District Attorney IV or all
Salary Information
Deputy District Attorney I - $8,599 - $10,452 Approximate Monthly Deputy District Attorney II - $9,506 - $11,555 Approximate Monthly Deputy District Attorney III - $11,901 - $14,466 Approximate Monthly Deputy District Attorney IV - $13,776 - $16,745 Approximate Monthly
To review the complete job descriptions and minimum qualifications for each position, please click on the following links:
• Deputy District Attorney I • Deputy District Attorney II • Deputy District Attorney III • Deputy District Attorney IV
Pre-Employment Drug Screening and Background
Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen.
Following incentives and bonuses may be available for eligible new hires.
Incentives and bonuses are subject to approval by Human Resources.
• Vacation Accrual Rate: San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidates total years of public service. • Sick Leave: Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours up to 160 hours from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin Countys minimum sick leave cash out provisions. • New Hire Retention Bonus: • $2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2080 hours) • $1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6240 hours) • $3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12480 hours)
TYPICAL DUTIES
Prepares and prosecutes criminal and some civil matters in both court and jury trials and hearings examines and cross-examines witnesses presents oral arguments prepares and prosecutes appeals conducts post-conviction proceedings.
Refuses or approves and issues complaints in criminal matters advises law enforcement agencies on legal and evidentiary matters prior to issuance of criminal complaints interviews and advises complainants and witnesses prepares search warrants and arrest warrants.
Researches analyzes and interprets existing laws and ordinances court decisions pending legislation and other legal authorities assists in drafting legislation for special County and State projects.
Prepares and reviews briefs memoranda opinions and civil and criminal pleadings.
Conducts mediation hearings to resolve legal problems without further court action.
Confers with defense attorneys probation authorities court officials and law enforcement agencies to discuss pleas modification of charges presentation and review of evidence and other legal matters.
Advises the general public State and local departments and law enforcement officers on civil and criminal issues and proceedings advises and directs law enforcement agencies on questions of law in criminal investigation matters.
May advise and train law enforcement personnel and client agencies in criminal and civil law.
May supervise clerical research and investigate staff and other attorneys.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Membership in the California State Bar. • Experience: Three years experience in the practice of criminal law. • KNOWLEDGE: • Principles of criminal and civil law and their application • Trial and hearing procedures • Rules of evidence • State and local laws and ordinances • Legal research methods • Preparation of briefs and opinions • ABILITY: • Analyze legal principles and precedents and to apply them to complex factual legal problems • Present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form • Draft opinions, pleadings, and briefs independently • Present cases in court before judicial officials • Communicate and cooperate with fellow staff members, agency representatives, judicial officers, and the general public • Exercise independent judgment, discretion, and initiative, especially in the charging and plea bargaining of criminal violations • Aid in the application of limited law enforcement resources and in the decision to seek capital punishment
Equal Opportunity Employer
San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity EEO Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
For more information, go to www.sjgov.org/department/hreo.
Benefits
• Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans, a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is available for all plans. • Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans, Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee-only coverage in either plan. Dependent coverage is available at the employees expense. • Vision Insurance: The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee-only coverage. Dependent coverage is available at the employees expense. • Life Insurance: The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows: • 1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $10,000 • 3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $30,000 • 5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $50,000 • 10 years of continuous service or more: $100,000 Employees may purchase additional term life insurance to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate. • Flexible Benefits Plan: This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental, or vision plan. Health Flexible Spending Account: $2,550 annual limit with a $500 carry-over and dependent care costs. Dependent Care Assistance Plan: $5,000 annual limit. • Retirement Plan: Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. • Deferred Compensation: The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 10% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan up to $30,000. • Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years, 15 days after 3 years, 20 days after 10 years, and 23 days after 20 years. • Holiday: Depending on the date of hire into the unit, employees earn either 10 or 14 holidays per year. • Administrative Leave: Each fiscal year, department heads grant 10 days of administrative leave to eligible salaried employees - not carried beyond the end of the fiscal year. • Sick Leave: 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive: An employee is eligible to receive eight hours of administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one-half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year. • Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for the death of an employees spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child. • Merit Salary Increase: New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks, 2080 hours on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step. • Bilingual Pay: Employees in the Attorney unit who are designated by the appointing authority and approved by the County Administrator and who have passed a bilingual proficiency examination administered by the Human Resources Division and have otherwise qualified for bilingual compensation shall receive additional compensation of 0.41 per hour. • Job Sharing: Any regular permanent full-time employee may agree to job-share a position subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources. • Educational Reimbursement Program: Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related coursework up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four-year college or university academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1,600 per fiscal year. • Parking: Supplemental Downtown Stockton - The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area. • School Activities: Employees may take up to 40 hours per year but not more than eight hours per month to participate in their childrens school activities. • Selection Procedures
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:
• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple-choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70 in order to be placed on the eligible list. • Oral Exam: The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidates education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise. The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview. A panel