Assistant Public Defender (Promotional)

THIS IS A PROMOTIONAL EXAM
YOU MUST BE AN ALAMEDA COUNTY EMPLOYEE TO APPLY
Current employment and completion by February 18, 2013, of the equivalent of six months of continuous service following a regular appointment in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes the District Attorney’s Office, the Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts). A regular appointment does not include provisional, TAP (Temporary Assignment Pool), or STEP-UP appointments. Applications must be submitted on-line before the filing deadline of 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON-LINE

Alameda County’s Public Defender’s Office is searching to fill the position of Assistant Public Defender, to perform specialized legal tasks in connection with controversial and complex legal cases; serves as a Supervising Attorney for other Assistant Public Defenders, Associate and Deputy Public Defenders; and supervise Branch offices, divisions or units within the Public Defender’s legal division. For more information about the Public Defender's Office, please visit: www.acgov.org/defender.

Assistant Public Defender is the unrestricted litigation and/or primary administrative class. Under general direction of the Public Defender, Chief Assistant Public Defender or Senior Assistant Public Defender, an Assistant Public Defender acts as a supervising attorney for other Assistant Public Defenders, and/or for Associate and Deputy Public Defenders, and may review and evaluate their work and performance as required; an Assistant Public Defender performs specialized legal tasks in connection with controversial and complex legal cases, does related legal work as required, and may conduct and supervise attorney training.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Assistant Public Defender class is found only in the Public Defender's Department.

Assistant Public Defenders are expected to undertake major administrative or major litigation duties as assigned. An Assistant Public Defender may be assigned to supervise any branch office, division or unit of the Public Defender's legal division under the general guidance of the Public Defender, Chief Assistant Public Defender or Senior Assistant Public Defender.

Assistant Public Defenders perform the most difficult legal work in the Public Defender's Office, serving as lead counsel in all cases, including those for which the death penalty is sought. Due to the heavy stress of these complex trial cases, Assistant Public Defenders may be rotated from time to time to positions with less serious or demanding cases where they are expected to assume lead or mentor positions.

The Ideal Candidate:

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the successful candidate will have the following critical attributes:

• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the philosophy and practice of public defense, laws, ethics and polices of the Public Defender’s Office and scope and character of California Statutory and constitutional law.
• Demonstrated expertise in the preparation and arguing of difficult and complex cases where the Death Penalty will be sought.
• Dedicated team member that works cooperatively with others and strives to accomplish established work goals.
• Outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple on-going cases for staff and self. 
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to communicate with diverse individuals and proven experience in delivering legal arguments that are effective in both written and oral form.
• Proven ability to defend complex felony cases including homicides during pre-trial and jury trial level, utilizing advanced litigation techniques; effectively make appropriate trial objections and motions; and knowledge in addressing difficult sentencing issues.
• Ability to remain flexible, open, and positive while handling needs of clients and demands of the Court.
• Proven supervisory experience with the responsibility for training, guiding and evaluating the work of Assistant Public Defenders, Deputy Public Defenders and Associate Public Defenders.

For a detailed lisiting of Assistant Public Defender duties and essential competency requirements, please the the complete job description at www.acgov.org/hrs.

1. Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.

2. Valid California motor vehicle operator's license.

Experience:
Either
The equivalent of three years of full-time experience in the class of Deputy Public Defender in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or
The equivalent of seven years of increasingly responsible experience as a trial attorney in the field of criminal law, with a caseload and duties comparable to attorneys working in a metropolitan public defender agency; the equivalent of at least one year in a supervisory or administrative capacity in a public defender office or law firm with similar cases and responsibilities.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

· Philosophy and practice of public defense in the United States.
· Law, ethics, and policies governing the Public Defender's office.
· Principles of training and supervision.
· Legal principles and procedures followed in the processing of criminal cases.
· Scope and character of California statutory and constitutional law.
· Principles of public administration and personnel management.
· Legal source materials.

Abilities:

· Assist in the training and supervision of personnel in the Public Defender's Office.
· Legal preparation in difficult and complex matters.
· Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
· Gather, analyze and apply legal data and evidence.
· Present legal arguments effectively in oral and written form.
· Inspire confidence in clients and work effectively with colleagues and representatives of other agencies.
· Decision making.
· Interpersonal sensitivity.
· Flexibility.
· Performance in a stressful environment.
· Defend felony cases at the pretrial and jury trial level, including advanced litigation techniques and preservation of the trial record by making timely and appropriate trial objections and motions, and demonstrated knowledge of and facility in addressing difficult sentencing issues.
· Assist in the planning, organization, and supervision of the Public Defender's Office.
· Represent the department in disciplinary proceedings.
· Understand the problems of court administration and work with the courts so clients do not suffer through poor administration in represented cases.
· Supervise and/or conduct the evaluation of the performance of professional staff, including Assistant Public Defenders, Deputy Public Defenders, and Associate Public Defenders.
· Assume management of the Office of the Public Defender in emergency situations.
· Represent the Public Defender's Department in meetings with other County departments and agencies, outside agencies, and the County Board of Supervisors.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the "What You Need To Know" section of our website:  www.acgov.org/hrs.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

Tentative Selection Plan:

Deadline for Filing:  5:00 p.m. February 18, 2013
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review for “Ideal Candidate”: March 5, 2013.  Your supplemental questionnaire must be fully completed in order to be considered for th next phase of the selection process.
Oral Panel Interviews: March 20, 2013

THIS IS A PROMOTIONAL EXAM
YOU MUST BE AN ALAMEDA COUNTY EMPLOYEE TO APPLY

Current employment and completion by (February 18, 2013), of the equivalent of six months of continuous service following a regular appointment in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes the District Attorney’s Office, the Medical Center, and the Superior Court).  A regular appointment does not include provisional, TAP (Temporary Assignment Pool), or STEP-UP appointments.

THIS IS A NEW PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in the Ideal Candidate section of this brochure.  The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection proces.

 

The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request an accommodation due to a disability during this or other phases of the selection process, please contact the Human Resource Services Department at (510) 272-6472 before the final filing deadline. Alameda County Human Resources Services will require documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a permanent disability pursuant to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's statute of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as amended, and/or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) Act.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

**WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN.

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO. The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  Employees pay any additional premium costs if they chose an alternate HMO or PPO Plan. If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes up to 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to $1,450 per. The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and available to employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $25,000.  Supplemental Life Insurance for an employee can be purchased in $10,000 increments up $1,000,000.  Supplemental Life Insurance can also be purchased for spouse/domestic partner and/or eligible dependent children.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D) INSURANCE

An employee can purchase either a policy for themselves or a family policy in $25,000 increments up to $500,000.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $2900 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the management employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical, Supplemental Life and/or AD&D premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the management employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses.

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $10,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can contribute salary on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually.  These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

 

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Eleven paid holidays plus two or four floating holidays depending on the union bargaining unit.  Represented management employees are entitled up to three additional days of management paid leave. Unrepresented management employees are entitled up to seven days of management paid leave.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned.  Sick leave accrues at the approximate rate of one-half day per bi-weekly pay period.  Exact rate is based on the union bargaining unit and is defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

VACATION PURCHASE PROGRAM

The County allows you to purchase one or two additional weeks of vacation through payroll deduction.  Exact benefit is based on the union bargaining unit and is defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age.  Places where care can be provided are: in one's home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act.  The County's retirement is based on one's age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County's portion vesting after five years of employment. (With regard to Project positions - Regularly appointed incumbents in full-time, non-project positions in the Alameda County classified service who are current members of the retirement system and who are appointed, without a break in service or status to a project position can elect to remain in the retirement system.  Individuals hired into a project position and subsequently appointed to full-time, non-project positions become members of the retirement system at the time of the regular appointment.  Computations and determinations of eligibility for retirement shall be based on the date of the regular appointment, with entitlements being prospective from that date.)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.
 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant's previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver's license and the performance of functions defined as "safety sensitive," Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

CHERI M. HARRAWAY, Human Resources Analyst II
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-208-9593
cheri.harraway@acgov.org      www.acgov.org/hrs