Associate Deputy Public Defender

Introduction THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.
The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.
Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.
m.
on the Last Day for Filing.
Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.
Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.
m.
on the Last Day for Filing.
Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.
Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on-line.
Transcripts: *Official Law School transcripts must be submitted using one of the following three methods by the Last Day of Filing to be given full consideration.
Failure to submit transcripts by the Last Day of Filing will result in disqualification.
Postmarks are not accepted.
Attached to Application- If attached to application, please attach using the *'Resume' tab, along with any other documents you wish to submit.
Please upload and submit only one (1) PDF.
DO NOT try to upload multiple documents.
If you have multiple documents, please save all documents in one file and attach it once under the RESUME tab.
In-Person or by US Mail - Alameda County Human Resource Services Department, Attn: Tracy Gonzalez/Associate Deputy Public Defender Transcripts, 1405 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612.
E-mail - If emailed, please send with subject line: 'Associate Deputy Public Defender - Transcripts.
' Transcripts must be sent to the Human Resources Analyst, Tracy Gonzalez, at Tracy.
Gonzalez@acgov.
org.
Please note: *If unofficial transcripts are submitted in lieu of official transcripts by the Last Day of Filing, then official transcripts must be received by no later than the date of the oral exam you are scheduled for, should you be invited to participate.
All official transcripts that are submitted must have an explanation of the grading system used for each law school you attended.
In addition, you can upload letters of reference, a resume and/or other documents that you believe the screening panel might find helpful in evaluating your application.
Attachment of the resume, letters of reference and transcripts cannot serve as a substitute for a completed application or responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire.
These documents can be uploaded and attached in the "Resume" tab of the application.
DESCRIPTION THE DEPARTMENT The Alameda County Public Defender's Office provides the highest quality of indigent criminal defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in adult and juvenile court.
Our mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all.
The Alameda County Office is one of the oldest Public Defender offices in the nation, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Today, our team of more than 100 attorneys, 18 investigators and 40 support staff handle approximately 30,000 cases per year providing innovative, holistic defense services for Alameda County residents.
In 2012, the office was named the "Best Law Firm" in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association.
For additional info, please visit: https://www.
acgov.
org/defender/.
THE POSITION Found only in the Public Defender's Department, Associate Deputy Public Defenders are the attorneys for individuals in certain criminal and juvenile cases, and represent litigants in certain civil proceedings, such as involuntary mental illness commitment proceedings, as accepted by the Public Defender or on appointment by the court and assignment by the Public Defender.
They perform all related legal work as required and authorized by the Public Defender.
Associate Deputy Public Defenders are the attorneys for defendants in certain criminal and juvenile cases, and represent litigants in certain civil proceedings, such as involuntary mental illness commitment proceedings, as accepted by the Public Defender or on appointment by the court and assignment by the Public Defender.
They perform all related legal work as required and authorized by the Public Defender.
For additional information on the position, please visit: Associate Deputy Public Defender (#3110).
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas: Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the philosophy and practice of public defense, laws, ethics and policies of the Public Defender’s Office and scope and character of California Statutory and constitutional law.
Strong ability to identify and understand complex legal problems and concepts, apply logical thinking and methods to gathering and analyzing evidence and information.
Outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple on-going cases, as well as the ability to provide status updates on cases and hearings at a moment’s notice.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to communicate with diverse individuals and proven experience in delivering legal arguments that are effective in both written and oral form.
Consider and anticipate multiple factors and the potential consequences when making decisions.
Consistently maintain effectiveness when experiencing change in work responsibilities, priorities, and deadlines and take prompt action to accomplish objectives.
Proven ability to remain flexible, open, and positive while handling needs of Clients and demands of the Court.
Foster and maintain effective client relationships to ensure that all clients’ needs are thoroughly identified, properly addressed, and handled in a fair and equitable manner consistent with the principles and practices of the Public Defender’s Office.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Current active membership and good standing with the California State Bar.
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies: Knowledge of: Philosophy and practice of public defense in the United States.
Laws, ethics, and policies governing the Public Defender's Office.
Principles of training and supervision.
Legal principles and procedures followed in the handling of criminal and juvenile cases, including rules of evidence, trial litigation, and appellate procedure.
Scope and character of California statutory and constitutional law.
Principles of public administration and personnel management.
Legal source materials Abilities: Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Gather, analyze and apply legal data and evidence.
Present legal arguments effectively in oral and written form.
Inspire confidence in clients and working effectively with colleagues and representatives of other agencies.
Handle legal correspondence and procedures with tact and accuracy.
Appropriate decision making.
Interpersonal sensitivity.
Flexibility.
Performance in a stressful environment.
EXAMINATION COMPONENTS The examination will consist of the following steps: 1.
A review of applicants' application to verify possession of minimum requirements.
Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2.
A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to determine the best qualified.
Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the final step in the examination process.
3.
An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score.
The oral interview may contain situational exercises.
Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.
Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.
Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.
Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.
Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.
acgov.
org/hrs.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.
The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN: Deadline for Filing: 5:00 PM Friday, December 8, 2023 Review of Minimum Qualifications: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified: Week of January 15, 2024 Oral Examination: Week of February 19, 2024 TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN: Departmental Hiring Interviews: TBD WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.
To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.
Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation.
In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.
For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website: www.
acgov.
org/hrs.
BENEFITS Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families.
We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.
These benefits include but are not limited to*: For your Health & Well-Being Medical – HMO & PPO Plans Dental – HMO & PPO Plans Vision or Vision Reimbursement Share the Savings Basic Life Insurance Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance County Allowance Credit Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance Short-Term Disability Insurance Long-Term Disability Insurance Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services Employee Assistance Program For your Financial Future Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan) Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan) For your Work/Life Balance 12 paid holidays Floating Holidays Vacation and sick leave accrual Vacation purchase program Management Paid Leave** Catastrophic Sick Leave Group Auto/Home Insurance Pet Insurance Commuter Benefits Program Guaranteed Ride Home Employee Wellness Program (e.
g.
At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts) Employee Discount Program (e.
g.
theme parks, cell phone, etc.
) Child Care Resources 1st United Services Credit Union *Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.
This provides a brief summary of the