Salary : $143,499.20 - $150,696.00 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-U25-A
Department: District Attorney
Division: Attorneys
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 07

Description
Under direction, to perform professional legal work in the Office of the District Attorney.
There are four levels of Attorney in the District Attorney's Office. Candidates who are referred for an interview will be assessed as to the appropriate level, if a job offer is made.

Attorney I requires active membership in the California State Bar upon appointment.

The salary for Attorney I is $68.99 - $72.45 hourly, $5,519.20 - $5,796.00 bi-weekly, $11,958.27 - $12,558.00 monthly, $143,499.20 - $150,696.00 annually

Attorney II requires active membership in the California State Bar upon appointment, and one (1) year of full-time experience equivalent to an Attorney I with Santa Clara County, or two (2) years of full-time experience in the practice of law in a government agency or in private practice. Full-time experience as a Judicial Law Clerk may substitute for up to two (2) years of required experience.

The salary for Attorney II is $80.90 - $87.87 hourly, $6,476.92 - $7,029.84 bi-weekly, $14,022.49 - $15,231.32 monthly, $168,399.92 - $182,775.84 annually

Attorney III requires active membership in the California State Bar upon appointment, and two (2) years of full-time experience equivalent to an Attorney II with Santa Clara County, or four (4) years of full-time experience in the practice of law in a government agency or in private practice. Full-time experience as a Judicial Law Clerk may substitute for up to two (2) years of required experience.

The salary for Attorney III is $96.67 - $106.57 hourly, $7,733.44 - $8,525.84 bi-weekly, $16,755.79 - $18,472.65 monthly, $201,069.44 - $221,671.84 annually

Attorney IV requires active membership in the California State Bar upon appointment, and two (2) years of full-time experience equivalent to an Attorney III with Santa Clara County, or six (6) years of full-time experience in the practice of law in a government agency or in private practice. Full-time experience as a Judicial Law Clerk may substitute for up to two (2) years of required experience.

The salary for Attorney IV is $117.52 - $146.28 hourly, $9,401.68 - $11,702.08 bi-weekly, $20,370.31 - $25,354.51 monthly, $244,443.68 - $304,254.08 annually

Eligible candidates must pass a background investigation to qualify for employment.

Applications cannot be submitted without a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and completed supplemental questionnaire, and will be rejected if incomplete. The writing excerpt must be NO LONGER THAN 10 PAGES and include your name as being the author.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to file their application before the last day in order to avoid technical mishaps, such as internet connection issues. The County of Santa Clara is not likely to accept responsibility for any late filings.
Typical Tasks
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Prepares and prosecutes criminal cases in superior court;

• Reviews evidence and advises law enforcement officers and victims on law and criminal proceedings;

• Conducts research, studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions, petitions, motions, legal briefs, and other legal documentation;

• Composes motions required for trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings;

• Evaluates investigation results and works closely with investigators and paralegals to prepare cases for trial and other hearings;

• Consults with defense counsel and judges to discuss pleas;

• Conducts post-conviction proceedings and sentencing for offenses;

• Communicates with victims and advocates to ensure compliance with Marsy's Law;

• Meets with victims and witnesses to prepare cases;

• Prepares pleadings and legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal procedures;

• Appears for and represents the District Attorney's Office at court hearings and arraignments.

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards
Active membership in the California State Bar is required upon appointment.
Training and Experience Note:

Knowledge and abilities consistent with the highest standard of the legal profession and with the level of difficulty and expertise required for the intended appointment.

Experience as an attorney in a District Attorney's Office in another public agency may be considered equivalent for appointment or promotion in the corresponding District Attorney's Office in the County of Santa Clara.
Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Duties, powers, limitations, and responsibilities of the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office;

• Legal research methods, practices, and techniques;

• Criminal trial and hearing practices and rules of evidence;

• Penal code and criminal statutes;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and applications;

• General office practices and procedures, such as record keeping practices.

Ability to:

• Perform legal research;

• Analyze and apply legal principles and facts to legal issues;

• Analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action;

• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions on legal cases and in dealing with people;

• Monitor current and proposed legislation related to assigned responsibility;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, included colleagues, the public, court staff and attendees, and representatives of other agencies;

• Use computer systems and applications.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Please include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, and hours worked per week for questions asking about work experience.Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your status pertaining to the California State Bar?

• I am a member of the CA State Bar
• I have taken the February 2026 CA State Bar Exam
• I have taken the July 2026 CA State Bar Exam and will provide my results when received.
• I have not taken the CA State Bar Exam, nor am I a member of the CA State Bar.

03

If you are a member of the CA State Bar, what is your CA State Bar license number and expiration date? If you do not have a CA State Bar license, type "N/A.
04

FOR QUESTIONS 4 THROUGH 8, YOUR ANSWERS MUST NOT EXCEED 200 WORDS PER QUESTION.Have your ever been the subject of any disciplinary action regarding your ability to practice law, including but not limited to any State or Federal Bar discipline? If so, please explain. If not, type "N/A.
05

How will your background, character, personality traits, professional and life experiences, education, and/or skills make you a successful prosecutor and trial attorney?
06

Please describe an achievement when you were excellent in something meaningful.
07

When have you demonstrated sound judgement on a difficult or challenging matter? What was you thought process?
08

What is, or what do you expect to be, the primary challenge you will face as a prosecutor in achieving justice?
09

I understand that I must successfully pass a full background investigation prior to appointment.

• Yes
• No

10

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

11

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify here. If not, type "N/A".
Required Question