Salary: $105,464.32 - $127,019.36 Annually
Location : Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2250-03 (O)
Department: District Attorney
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
SALARY: $105,464.32 - $127,019.36 Annually

HIRING INCENTIVE: The District Attorney's Office may offer a discretionary hiring incentive for select critical and hard-to-fill positions. Incentives, when approved, may be up to $20,000 and are determined on a case-by-case basis based on recruitment needs, qualifications of the applicant, and other relevant factors. Hiring incentives are not guaranteed and are subject to County approval.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office currently has multiple Deputy District Attorney I vacancies located throughout the County of Santa Barbara.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please select all locations you are willing to accept initial employment for current and future vacancies. Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of criminal and civil investigations, trial preparations, and prosecutions; perform related work as required. Deputy District Attorney I/II/III/IV/Senior is a flexibly staffed series.

Deputy District Attorney I is the entry level class in this professional series in which incumbents receive orientation and training and are expected to progress to the experienced Deputy District Attorney II level within a reasonable length of time. Deputy District Attorney I may be required to mentor and train Deputy District Attorney Externs and/or new Deputy District Attorneys.The Ideal candidate will possess:

• A commitment to public service and the ethical pursuit of justice
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills
• Excellent judgment and decision-making abilities
• Experience working within the criminal justice system
• Experience through internships, externships, clerkships, or employment in criminal law or litigation, preferably in a public sector agency
• The ability to effectively communicate with victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and members of the public
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Examples of Duties

1. Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions; studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in prosecuting cases;
2. Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and judgments;
3. Prosecutes a variety of cases, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic trials and presentation of preliminary hearings;
4. Performs related work such as preparing petitions, complaints, reports, and correspondence;
5. Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, research, observing and seeking counsel from peer attorneys, and attending trainings; perform community outreach, which may include training law enforcement personnel and performing outreach at schools or community organizations that focus on public safety or justice;
6. Other duties as assigned within the scope of the job classification.

Employment Standards
Active membership in the State Bar of California and completion of the core courses required for a law degree.

Applicants who have taken the State Bar exam and are pending results may apply and participate in the selection process but must obtain an active membership in the State Bar of California at the time of appointment.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of: the principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence.

Ability to: perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form; work effectively with others.

Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their supplemental questionnaire.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verifications of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this position (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 and supporting materials to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the Application & Selection process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Background Investigation Process: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete an in-depth background investigation. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment may bar employment.

The background check may include:

• Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) / Personal History Statement (PHS)
• Background Investigation: Includes an interview, and in-depth background investigation of arrest records, personal, military, credit, employment history, driving records, education, residence history, drug use and reference checks.
• Live Scan: Electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau Investigation.

The background investigation may take up to 4-6 weeks.

Probationary Period: The appointee must satisfactorily complete a 12-month probationary period.

BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here:

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 10/09/2026 at 4:59 PM. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst: [email protected]
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Benefit Allowance paid in cash bi-weekly, which can be used by employees to fund health care costs or used for other purposes. The amount varies by bargaining unit, click the Compensation Summary link below for more information
• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:

*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
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