Deputy District Attorney III Salary: $128,835.20 - $155,604.80 Annually
Location: Santa Maria, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 26-2252-01 (O) Department: District Attorney Opening Date: January 16, 2026 Closing Date: Continuous
Job Description
The Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office has a vacancy for a Deputy District Attorney III. The vacancy is located in Santa Maria, California. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please be sure to 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
Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including violent crimes, gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime.
Requirements
Deputy District Attorney III is a flexibly staffed series. Deputy District Attorney III is distinguished from Deputy District Attorney IV in that the latter handles the most difficult work and assists with the training of staff.
The Position
Under direction, performs a variety of complex criminal and civil investigations, trial preparations, and prosecutions; and, related work as required.
The Ideal Candidate
The selected candidate will possess extensive experience handling high-level criminal prosecutions, which may involve homicides, multi-defendant trials, gang-related offenses, and/or child sexual abuse cases. This background should include advanced legal analysis, as well as drafting and arguing complex motions. The ideal individual will have a strong track record of collaboration with law enforcement partners and demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Duties
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
Additional Qualifications
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.
Selection Process
Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates. 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.
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.
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:
Equal Employment Opportunities
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.
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Deadline
Open until filled. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Acknowledgement
I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.
Human Resources Department
The Human Resources Department communicates with All Applicants through e-mail. Please make sure your e-mail address is entered correctly and it is current. If you feel you are not receiving your e-mails, please check your spam or junk inbox for our e-mails.
Application Process
As part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
Location and Work Schedule
The current vacancy is located in Santa Maria. 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.
Licensure Requirements
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.
Experience Requirements
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.
Honesty and Truthfulness
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.
Civil Service Examination
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: http://www.countyofsb.org/hr/civil-service-rules/rule-six.sbc#six-612?
Supplemental Questions
7 or more trials 5 - 6 trials 3 - 4 trials 1 - 2 trials None
11 or more trials 6 - 10 trials