Deputy Public Defender I

Deputy Public Defender I

Salary

$130,481.26 Annually

Location

Contra Costa County, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

25WA-2026A

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

10/26/2026

Closing Date

11/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

JD

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The Contra Costa County Public Defenders Office (CCPD) is excited to announce a recruitment for the position of Deputy Public Defender I. Attorneys in this classification represent indigent people charged with criminal offenses, conduct legal research, prepare and present cases in court, and perform related work as required.

CCPD employs over 100 attorneys. Contra Costa County is in the Bay Area, extending from the San Francisco Bay to the western edge of California's Central Valley. One of the most populous counties in California, Contra Costa encompasses a range of urban, suburban, and rural communities. We have an office in Richmond serving West County, an office in Martinez serving Central and East County and a Juvenile Defense Office in Walnut Creek. We also oversee the Alternate Defenders office which is in Martinez.

At the CCPD, we believe in innovative and zealous advocacy. Our core philosophy is that justice can only be served when the most vulnerable among us are treated with the same attention and dignity as the most powerful. We ensure that each client receives excellent representation by carefully monitoring attorney's workloads and providing excellent in-house training. We take a holistic approach in representing our clients, which includes support services within our office such as immigration attorney experts, forensic attorney experts, mental health attorney experts, social workers, and post-conviction relief representation.

As an office, we foster practices and policies that promote equity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Dedicated to providing excellent legal representation to clients
• Self-motivated
• Enthusiastic about courtroom litigation and trial work
• Creative in researching and preparing motions
• Able to communicate effectively with all persons

A few reasons why you might love this job:

• You thrive in an environment that is fast-paced, multi-faceted, and demands complex thought and adaptability
• You love the challenge of conducting trials and oral advocacy
• You relish the opportunity to help clients in a compassionate, holistic manner
• You enjoy working collaboratively with supportive colleagues

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Juggling multiple deadlines, multitasking, time management
• The emotional strain of being responsible for your clients and their case outcomes
• Staying up to date with new legal developments and professional standards
• Managing the emotional toll of losing trials and motions

Competencies required:

• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue

Candidates awaiting California Bar Examination results are encouraged to apply. Proof of California Bar admission will be required prior to your hire date.

The list for this recruitment may remain active for 6 months.

Please view the job description here.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operators License will be accepted during the application process.

Registration: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Selection Process

• Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates move forward to the next phase of the recruitment process.
• Training and Experience Questionnaire: Candidates must complete the questionnaire at the time of filing. Responses to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates' relevant education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the Deputy Public Defender I classification. (Weighted 100%)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment specific questions, please contact Austin Wagers at Austin.Wagers@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs' applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at: Special Testing Accommodations | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

01

The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their experience, education, and training for this position and to assist the HR staff in assessing each applicants qualifications. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to better understand your relevant experience, education, and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the recruitment process. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating "see attached application or see resume."

• I understand

02

The minimum qualifications for this class requires:

License Required: Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operators license. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operators License will be accepted during the application process.

Registration: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

• I understand that candidates must possess the minimum qualifications in order to be considered

03

Do you possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you an active member in the State Bar of California?

• Yes
• No
• I am waiting to receive my CA Bar examination results

05

If you indicated that you are an active member in the State Bar of California, what is your Bar Number?

06

How many years of experience do you have working as a post-graduate law clerk in a Public Defenders Office?

• I do not have any experience as described
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years of experience as described
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years of experience as described
• Three (3) years or more of experience as described

07

How many years of experience do you have working as a law clerk or legal intern in a Public Defenders office?

• I do not have any experience as described
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years of experience as described
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years of experience as described
• Three (3) years or more of experience as described

08

How many years of experience do you have litigating motions in a Public Defenders Office or not for profit appellate office?

• I do not have any experience as described
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years of experience as described
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years of experience as described
• Three (3) years or more of experience as described

09

How many motions to suppress evidence (1538.5 motions) have you written?

• I do not have any experience as described
• 1 - 5
• 6 - 10
• 11 - 15
• 16+

10

How many motions to dismiss (995 motions) have you written?

• I do not have any experience as described
• 1 - 5
• 6 - 10
• 11 - 15
• 16+

11

I certify that I meet the announced minimum requirements for this examination and understand that I will be eliminated at any stage in such examination if it develops that, in fact I do not meet them. I further certify that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and the application are true and I agree and understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will cause forfeiture of my rights to employment with Contra Costa County.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Contra Costa