Deputy District Attorney III/IV (Continuous)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Job Number: 2026-046
Department: District Attorney
Division: District Attorney
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Performs the full range of routine to complex legal activities, involving the investigation and prosecution of routine to complex criminal, juvenile, or civil cases; prepares and presents cases in court.
• Evaluates incoming law enforcement reports involving 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 charge following receipt of the agency reports; files criminal charges.
• Interviews witnesses and victims; reviews and analyzes evidence, police reports, and other materials related to pending cases.
• Provides direction to law enforcement and investigative personnel related to investigation of criminal offenses; provides advice as to applicable laws, court decisions, and legal authorities.
• Negotiates with defense counsel at pre-trial hearings regarding case disposition or modification.
• Prepares and appears in court for trials, hearings, and pleadings.
• Makes recommendations regarding sentencing and presents the position at sentencing and revocation hearings.
• Researches 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 quickly; prepares for settlement conferences; conducts in-chambers discussions with court staff and defense attorneys to facilitate case settlement.
• Performs trial work, including jury selection, examination and cross-examination, introduction of evidence, and argument of the prosecution 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 witness to advise on the status of the case; obtain information and schedule meetings or court appearances.
• Handle the misdemeanor and felony criminal resentencing motions, Racial Justice Act motions, appeals and related writs before the California Court of Appeal and the Kings County Superior Court; respond to habeas corpus litigation in Kings County Superior Court, including capital litigation; may involve complex discovery and evidential hearings completed within narrow time frames (Applies to the III and IV level only.)
• Serves as a lead attorney on projects, task forces, including law enforcement training and liaison tasks, as assigned. (Applies to the IV level only.)
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but it is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment. When completing the work history portion of your application please include each level position title and level as a separate entry when applicable (e.g., If you were a Level I and promoted to Level II, each level should be entered separately to reflect the time held at each level).
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:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Must possess active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Experience:

• Level III: One (1) year of experience equivalent to a Deputy District Attorney II in Kings County or two (2) years of legal experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal law and demonstrated increased ability to prosecute complex misdemeanor cases is required.

• Level IV: One (1) year of experience equivalent to a Deputy District Attorney III in Kings County or three (3) years of legal experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal law and demonstrated increased ability to prosecute complex and/or high penalty cases with minimal supervision is required.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

NOTE: Applicants must attach a copy of their licenses and certificates at the time application is submitted, if it is not attached, your application will be considered incomplete. For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Must be willing to work irregular hours as required, including evenings and work outside normal office hours. Travel within and outside the County as required; must maintain active membership in the State Bar of California.
For a complete description of duties and qualifications, please view the detailed job specification below.

You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California.
Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6-month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three-year average final compensation) based on their classification:

Miscellaneous - 2% at 62
Safety - 2.7% at 57
If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013:

Miscellaneous - 2% at 55
Safety - 3% at 55
The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).

Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP is available to all employees, no County health insurance needed. You, your spouse or partner, anyone in your household, and dependents up to age 26 can use this confidential program. The EAP helps with everyday challenges that may affect your well-being, relationships, or work. From stress and family concerns to childcare or work issues, it provides guidance, resources, and support.

Term Life/Accident Insurance: Term life/accident insurance is provided for employees in the amount of $40,000.

Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable

Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the for information on the paid holiday closure.

Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements.

Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned.

Retiree Health Insurance: Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse.

Education Reimbursement Program: Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,500 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Permanent employees who work at least half-time are eligible. Extra help employees are not eligible. Courses must be to increase their knowledge or ability to perform their present job or to prepare for a higher-level job with the County. This program is subject to annual funding.

Flexible Benefits Program: Optional program allows employees to pay for certain qualified benefits with pre-tax salary (such as child care expenses, unreimbursed medical costs, or health insurance premiums).

Advanced Vacation Accrual for New Hires: Upon the recommendation of the District Attorney, the Human Resources Director may authorize a vacation accrual rate for employees covered by this Agreement (see Article 2) hired from outside the County at an amount equivalent to what their accrual would be if their service time with other public agencies was earned in Kings County. Additionally, when this advanced accrual rate is authorized at the time of hire, the prior public service time will be used for calculating future adjustments to the accrual rate as if the time was earned with Kings County. This provision shall also apply to bargaining unit members hired as of 8/1/2024 who have service time with other public agencies as an Attorney.

Longevity Pay: Emp