ATTORNEY IV - DISTRICT ATTORNEY

THE JOB: Under direction, perform professional legal work for the County through the District Attorney’s Office; prepare and prosecute criminal and civil cases in the courts; perform special or supervisory assignments on a rotational basis; and do other work as required. Incumbents will generally be expected to handle a misdemeanor or juvenile caseload and a complex felony caseload with only occasional guidance. Incumbents may be assigned on-going administrative responsibility for a functional area. Extensive jury trial experience and expertise is highly desirable. The District Attorney’s Office currently has vacancies in the CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS Division. The list established through this recruitment may also be used to fill future extra-help, substitute, full-time and part-time vacancies. 

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying unless otherwise specified.  A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:  

Three years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law. Applicable experience must have been gained after admission to a State Bar. Experience in the practice of civil law may be substituted for criminal law for positions assigned to Consumer Affairs.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Membership in the California State Bar.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of legal principles and their application; legal research methods; principles and practices of criminal law; principles and practices of civil law required for positions assigned to Consumer Affairs; California Criminal Law; rules of the courts, procedures and policies of the District Attorney's Office; and principles of supervision and administrative practices may be required for some positions.  

Ability to: Analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to legal problems; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; act as an effective trial advocate; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of the work; adhere to ethical standards; analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments; and administer a functional program area of the District Attorney's Office may be required for some positions.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
VACATION - 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years of service. Available after 1 year service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE – One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accrued each year; can be taken in cash or time off.
HOLIDAYS - 12.5 paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE - Six days per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - The County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $50,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN - Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum.
DEPENDANT-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay for qualifying child or dependent care expenses may elect this pre-tax program.
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement.  If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants.  If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.    

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) Submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.  Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.    

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: An extensive background investigation will be completed. Failure of the background investigation will include but is not limited to the following:

The commission of any felony involving any federal or state statute.

The commission of a misdemeanor amounting to conduct which would reflect adversely on the candidate’s    ability to perform the functions of any of the positions within the District Attorney’s Office (i.e., crimes of moral turpitude).

Termination from any employment within the past three years for reasons directly related to the performance of relevant job-related duties.

Any pattern within the past two years of non-payment of debts that resulted in collection action against the    candidate.

Any incorrect representation or deletion of a material fact on an application or form supplied by the District    Attorney’s Office.

Any verbal misrepresentation or deletion of a fact material to the background investigation.      

                        NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. 

                                                                                          An Equal Opportunity Employer