Placer Employment Opportunities

Deputy District Attorney - I

Recruitment #2013-14120-01

POSITION INFORMATION

Individuals who are currently members of the State Bar of California as well as those who are awaiting California Bar Examination results are encouraged to apply for this recruitment.  Each individual must be a member of the State Bar of California by date of hire.

DEFINITION

To perform professional legal work within the District Attorney's Office; to prepare and present civil and criminal cases in court; and to perform related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Deputy District Attorney I is the entry level in the Deputy District Attorney series assigned to employees with no previous legal experience.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the higher levels.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from a Supervising Deputy District Attorney or other management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from higher level Deputy District Attorneys.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Work within the District Attorney's Office, performing the full range of legal activities involving the investigation or prosecution of complex criminal or civil cases; prepare and present cases in court.
  • Receive complaints and review reports filed by arresting officers or complainants; interview complainants and witnesses with regard to prospective complaints; subpoena witnesses; refuse or approve and issue complaints in such matters.
  • Analyze, interpret and apply laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions and briefs; prepare pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings and other legal proceedings; examine, assemble and evaluate evidence; secure and interview witnesses; appear in court and try cases.
  • Perform a wide variety of advanced legal research.
  • Prepare opinions, briefs, pleadings, warrants, and other legal documents; dictate correspondence and reports.
  • Work closely with affiliated law enforcement agencies from the county, State or Federal level as required by assigned case.
  • Review cases for any assistance required of investigation staff; request Investigators to secure evidence or conduct further investigation; review and incorporate additional information secured by Investigators.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: None required.

Training: Demonstrated possession of the eligibility requirements to take the California Bar Examination as established by Section 6060 of the California Business and Professions Code.

License or Certificate:

  • Active membership in the California State Bar to be obtained by date of appointment.
  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional law, and related procedures.
  • Rules of Court and Evidence Code.
  • Legal research methods.

Ability to:
  • Learn to investigate and prosecute criminal and civil law complaints.
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time or in meetings; intermittently walk, stand and bend while going to/from other offices or court and while taking files to/from meetings or court; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; hear sufficiently to communicate with clients and to understand actions in public meetings, hearings, or court proceedings; and lift light weight.
  • On a continuous basis, analyze a case and determine the law's application; identify and interpret the applicable law or statute; know legal research methods; observe juries and witnesses; problem-solve situations that arise in cases; remember and understand case law and statutes; and explain case status to the public as required.
  • Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems.
  • Learn to recommend investigative alternatives.
  • Learn to prepare and present cases and effectively represent the District Attorney's Office.
  • Present law, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
  • Explain legal principles and relate them to both trained legal professionals and the public.
  • Perform legal research.
  • Work under time constraints and exacting professional and legal standards.
  • Learn to obtain information through interview and interrogation and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
  • Draft legal pleadings.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
  • Adhere to ethical standards.
  • Operate a computer terminal with sufficient proficiency to perform the duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT


Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

MODIFIED AGENCY SHOP

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES


Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

BENEFITS

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional Bargain Unit

Selection Plan

10/22/2013    Minimum Qualifications Screening

10/25/2013    Training & Experience Rating    (Tentative date)

10/29/2013    Eligible List Established    (Tentative date)



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