Salary: $108,908.80 - $114,358.40 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number:
Department: Public Defender
Division: Primary Public Defender
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Summary
As a Deputy Public Defender I, you will provide legal counsel and represent adult or juvenile defendants in criminal cases when appearing before the courts in San Diego. You will also receive close supervision from experienced deputies and assist them in progressively more complex cases.
This is the professional entry-level class in the Deputy Public Defender series. Please to view the complete job description for this position.
Hiring Process and TimelineThe timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school (applicants MUST submit a copy of an official or unofficial transcript), AND
2. Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California (applicants MUST provide their bar card number and date of admittance on Supplemental Questions)

Applicants must also immediately submit the following:

1. An updated resume
2. A Cover Letter
3. 2 to 3 letter(s) of recommendation from a judge, attorney, or other legal professional in good standing.

Note:

• Applicants who sat for the most recent California Bar Examination are eligible to submit an application and need not submit a California bar number. However, proof of passing the bar examination will be required when results are provided.
• Applicants who successfully passed a prior California Bar Examination and are pending final admission are eligible to submit an application and need not submit a California bar number. However, proof of passing the bar examination will be required at the time of application.
• Applicants must provide valid documents verifying passing the exam and admission to practice no later than the time of appointment.
• Positions may involve necessary and timely transportation for field travel, requiring the ability to arrange transportation to different worksites, meetings, or field work.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Background Investigation
Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Misdemeanor and/or felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a background investigation.
Working Conditions
May be subjected to patients with communicable diseases and persons that may be potentially hostile or violent. May work with biohazards (i.e., medications and pharmaceutical sharps) and may be exposed to chemicals.
Evaluation

Qualified applicants will be placed on a nine (9) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental applications.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.
Click here to see the Public Defender Benefits Summary (PD)
01

Please note that if you are invited to a selection interview(s) by the department of the public defender, your responses may be subject to verification. Please be sure to answer questions 1 through 8 in a thorough and complete manner, as your responses will be used to determine your overall score.

Do you possess a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law? If you answered "Yes," then you must submit a copy of your official or unofficial transcript verifying possession of this degree.

• Yes
• No

02

What best describes your standing with the State Bar of California?

• I am an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California?
• I am not an active member of the State Bar of California but sat for the most recent California Bar Examination.
• I have successfully passed a prior bar exam and am awaiting admission to the California State Bar.

03

If you responded, "I am an active member", please provide your California bar number and the date of admittance in the section below.
04

Indicate your experience below. Check all that apply.

Note: Your response is subject to verification by the department.

• Preparing and organizing cases for trial
• Preparing pleadings, motions, and orders for trials
• No Experience

05

Which of the following best describes your experience?

Note: If more than one of the experience descriptions indicated below applies, please expand in the following question.

• A. I have at least two (2) semesters (fall, spring or summer) of experience working for the County of San Diego, Department of the Public Defender (Primary Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, Multiple Conflicts Office, and/or Office of Assigned Counsel) or other California Public Defender Agencies as an intern
• B. I have at least one (1) semester (fall or spring) of experience working for the County of San Diego, Department of the Public Defender (Primary Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, Multiple Conflicts Office, and/or Office of Assigned Counsel) or other California Public Defender Agencies as a post-bar or currently serving as post-bar
• C. I have experience working for the County of San Diego, Department of the Public Defender (Primary Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, Multiple Conflicts Office, and/or Office of Assigned Counsel) or other California Public Defender Agencies as a paralegal or temporary attorney
• None of the above

06

If you selected "A," "B," or "C" above, please indicate the dates of your tenure as an intern, post-bar, paralegal, or temporary attorney; and, identify for each period whether you served as an intern, post-bar, paralegal, or temporary attorney.

Note: If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A" in the section below.
07

Do you have experience working with any of the following populations?

• 1. I have at least one (1) semester (fall, spring, or summer) or four (4) months experience working with indigent or near indigent populations.
• 2. I have at least one (1) semester (fall, spring, or summer) or four (4) months experience working with disadvantaged youth.
• 3. No experience

08

If you selected "1," or "2" above, please include the organization where experience was obtained, dates of work, your role, type of work and total length of experience in the space below.Note: If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A" in the section below.
09

Where did you first hear about this job opportunity?

• San Diego County website
• Governmentjobs.com
• Veteran Outreach / FFSC
• Mana de San Diego
• Family, Neighbors, Friends
• County Employee Resources Group
• College/University Career Site
• County Social Media
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Voice and Viewpoint
• Government Alliance on Race and Equity
• Job Fair/Career Event
• Other

10

If you answered "Other" above, please indicate where you first heard about this job opportunity.

If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A"
Required Question