Deputy District Attorney I - Continuous

Salary : $88,277.40 - $108,570.06 Annually
Location : Madera County, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: District Attorney
Division: District Attorney Administration
Opening Date: 01/22/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: PGLPR

You may also qualify for Deputy District Attorney II or Deputy District Attorney III. Review the minimum qualifications and apply through the links below:

Deputy District Attorney II

or

Deputy District Attorney III

Under general supervision, performs professional legal duties in support of the District Attorney's Office and the prosecution of criminal activities; represents the District Attorney's Office and litigates assigned cases in courts of law; performs legal research; plans and coordinates investigations for the prosecution of legal cases; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Receives general supervision, from the District Attorney. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Examples of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law. Some duties may be performed in a learning capacity for the entry-level (I level) and second working level (II level) positions.

• Performs the full range of routine to complex legal activities involving the investigation and prosecution of routine to complex criminal or civil cases; prepares and presents cases in court.
• Evaluates incoming law enforcement reports involving juvenile and adult offenders; review reports and files cases and handles all aspects of prosecution from arraignment to sentencing.
• Reviews, analyzes, and researches allegations; makes determination on the appropriate charges following receipt of the agency reports; files criminal charges; keeps victims and witnesses informed of the status of legal proceedings.
• Interviews witnesses and victims; reviews and analyzes evidence, police reports, crime scenes, and other materials related to pending cases.
• Provides direction to law enforcement and investigative personnel related to investigation of criminal offenses; supervises wiretap investigations; reviews and assists in preparing search warrants; provides advice on search and seizure and development of evidence; provides advice as to applicable laws, court decisions, and legal authorities.
• Negotiates with defense counsel at pre-trial hearings regarding case disposition or modification.
• Makes court appearances on behalf of the Madera County District Attorney's Office including arraignments, evidentiary hearings, preliminary hearings, motions to suppress evidence, changes of plea, jury trials, sentencing, appellate issues, and case management conferences.
• Prepares for and appears in court; maintains case files, orders additional discovery, responds to motions, reviews defense counteroffers, and prepares for court evidentiary hearings.
• Makes recommendations regarding sentencing and presents the prosecution's position at sentencing and revocation hearings.
• Prepares for settlement conferences; conducts in-chambers discussions with court staff and defense attorneys to facilitate case settlement.
• Researches the law and precedents to obtain information needed to prosecute pending cases.
• Performs appellate research and drafts appellate briefs, pleadings, bail recommendations, motions, and other legal documents; appears in the designated court of appeal.
• Manages court calendars to ensure that cases are resolved appropriately and expeditiously.
• Performs trial work including jury selection, examination and cross-examination, and argument of the prosecution's case.
• Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
• Participates in various task forces with surrounding counties.
• Monitors legal developments including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on the prosecution of civil and criminal cases and recommends appropriate action.
• Communicates with victims and witnesses to advise on the status of the case; obtains information and schedules meetings or court appearances.
• Reads and approves Welfare Fraud cases prior to their filing.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, criminal law, constitutional law, and provisions affecting the prosecution of alleged criminals.
• Civil and criminal law and procedures particularly as related to areas of legal specialty.
• Practices and effective techniques in presentation of court cases.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies.
• Organization and procedures of the District Attorney's Office.
• Pleadings and appellate court procedures.
• Principles, methods, and techniques of legal research, legal writing, and investigation.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Prosecute the full range of criminal and civil cases.
• Define issues, perform legal research, analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations. Conduct effective negotiations.
• Interview and prepare witnesses for testimony.
• Interpret and explain legal principles and relate them to both trained legal professionals and the public.
• Handle difficult situations and respond quickly to changing situations.
• Prepare clear, concise, and legally sufficient resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, permits, reports, correspondence, and other written material.
• Present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically, often times in front of large groups.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Understand, apply, and interpret state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting public defense activities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate ideas and legal issues clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate from a school of law.

No experience required.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession and maintenance of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office and court setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office and court environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Application Process
The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training and experience relative to the required knowledge and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the examination process which may be administered by a written examination, oral interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for the assessment listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100%.

THE ASSESSMENT (100%) WILL BE SCHEDULED ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS.
To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/maderacountyca. All job postings are also included via the TDD phone at 559-675-8970 and the 24-hour job line at 559-675-8685. Please attach to your application a copy of your certificate and unofficial transcripts or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

Those applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 form along with the application. Candidates who attain ranking on an eligible list and are involuntarily called to active duty may be considered for eligibility reinstatement upon their return.

Placement on Eligible List:The Civil Service Commission may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process. If two or more candidates have the same total final score on an examination, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in that portion of the examination which has the greatest weight. The names of two or more eligibles having final ratings which are identical shall be grouped on the eligible list as tie names with equal rank for certification and appointment purposes.

Candidates who are successful in all phases of the examination process will be placed on an eligible list, in rank order based on a calculation of their total score from the examination process. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to section 6-4 (b) and may be extended for up to an additional year by the Commission.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:As a condition of employment with the County of Madera, a candidate must submit to a Tuberculosis (TB) screening, and related follow up testing as necessary. Designated classifications* are also subject to a medical examination, which includes a review of medical history. TB screenings and medical exams are administered by the Madera County Public Health Department and/or health care professional designated by the County.

Designated classifications required to submit to an employment medical examination generally include those that are physical in nature or as may be required by law. If you have any questions about the pre-employment requirements, please contact the Department of Human Resources at (559) 675-7705 or hr@maderacounty.com.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT:You will be required to submit verification of your identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States at the time of and as a condition of an offer of employment.
As a condition of employment, all prospective employees shall be required to be fingerprinted (Live Scan) and/or undergo a background investigation.
Benefits of employment with the County of Madera include:

• 14 paid holidays per year;
• 1 sick leave day per month (unlimited accrual);