Deputy Public Defender III/IV

Job Description:

Deputy Public Defender III/IV

Description

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: March 8, 2026
Exam #: 26/39P31/03GM

Deputy Public Defender III

$11,854 - $16,190 Monthly

Deputy Public Defender IV

$14,821 - $20,242 Monthly

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The County of Monterey Public Defender’s Office seeks applicants for Deputy Public Defender III/IV. The Deputy Public Defender career series provides expertise necessary to prepare and defend juveniles and indigent adults through the Public Defender's Office. Incumbents are responsible for independently managing a caseload and are in court approximately 85% of their time.

Under general direction, the Deputy Public Defender performs a broad range of professional legal representation services through the Public Defender's Office, prepares and defends criminal cases on behalf of the Public Defender and performs other related work as is required.

The Deputy Public Defender III is the third level in the career series. At this level, Deputies independently manage a difficult criminal caseload involving complex legal research and interpretation. The Deputy Public Defender IV is the highest level in the career series. Incumbents at this level independently manage the most difficult criminal cases and are authorized to negotiate the disposition of cases without going to trial.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to any higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Examples of Duties

• Prepares and defends criminal cases by presenting opening statements, interrogating and cross examining witnesses, introducing evidence, making relevant objections, arguing points of law, and presenting closing arguments.
• Researches questions of law and evidence and applies statutory and decisional case law, along with such other legal treatises as may be required, in the preparation of cases for hearing in court.
• Attends other scheduled court hearings such as arraignments, pretrial hearings and motions, sentencings and probation revocations.
• Prepares legal briefs, motions, memorandums of points and authorities, documents and pleadings.
• Interviews victims, police officers and witnesses.
• Marshals, reviews and prepares evidence for presentation in court.
• Negotiates the appropriate disposition of criminal cases without going to trial.
• Organizes facts and legal arguments and marshals witnesses in preparation for trial and other court proceedings; determines nature of follow-up investigations needed for trial.
• Advises the general public and law enforcement personnel on criminal matters.
• May be assigned to train and/or serve as lead worker over less experienced attorneys.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Deputy Public Defender III - Deputy Public Devender IV

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

• The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
• The methods of legal research and writing.
• Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.
• The rules of evidence.

Skills and ability to:

• Gather and evaluate complex data and draw logical conclusions; evaluate facts and formulate an effective course of action.

• Read, interpret and apply the principles contained in statutes, published court decisions and other relevant legal precedent.
• Orally communicate complex information and concepts to persons of divergent socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; present persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner; and interrogate and cross examine witnesses in a courtroom.
• Write clearly and concisely.
• Organize large quantities of complex material in a logical manner for presentation in court.
• Effectively and logically present evidence in complicated criminal proceedings.
• Recognize and evaluate approaches to situations of a potentially sensitive nature.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work independently under general supervision.
• Think creatively; develop new methods, procedures or approaches to achieve desired results.
• Train and review the work of less experienced staff.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Pursuant to Section 6060 of the Business and Professions Code, current, valid membership in the California State Bar is required by date of hire
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
• Independently manage a heavy caseload occasionally requiring extra hours of work.
• Rotate between the Salinas, Monterey and King City courthouses.

BENEFITS
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our County of Monterey HR website or click on the following link to view the Unit D benefit summary sheet: Unit D Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES
As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions. Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9. If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

Final Filing Deadline: March 8, 2026, 11:59 PM (PST)

OR

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours,

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

County of Monterey

Attn: Gabriela Munoz, Human Resources Analyst I

168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 755-5899 | Email: [email protected]

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline to [email protected]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Gabriela Munoz, Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 755-5899, or [email protected]

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: 3/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$11,854.00 - $20,242.00 Monthly