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.

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 5:00:00 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 *'Official Law School Transcripts' tab, along with any other documents you wish to submit. Please upload and submit only one (1) PDF. If you have multiple documents, please save all documents in one file and attach it once under the OFFICIAL LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS tab.
• In-Person or by US Mail - Alameda County Human Resource Services Department, Attn.: Rosario Jones/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, Rosario Jones, at Rosario.Jones@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 examination 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 "Official Law School Transcripts" tab of the application.

DESCRIPTION

THE POSITION

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 candidates' 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, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/.

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 AND SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing:

5:00:00 PM, Friday, December 4, 2026

Review of Minimum Qualifications:

By Monday, December 7, 2026
Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified:

Week of January 25, 2027
Oral Examination:

Week of February 8, 2027

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

BENEFITS

The 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 employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall wellbeing. 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, Long-Term Care, 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
• 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 Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

**Employees in management-designated classifications may be entitled to management paid leave. Refer to the applicable MOU or Salary Ordinance for more information.