Chief Deputy Public Defender (#EL2201)
$88.84-$107.99 Hourly / $15,399.41-$18,718.08 Monthly / $184,793.01-$224,617.06 Yearly

Under direction, performs supervisory legal work over one or more major units in the Public Defender's Office and participates in the professional legal work of the Office; assists and supports various administrative functions of the Office; and does related or other work as assigned.

Incumbents in this exempt class are responsible for planning, organizing and supervising the work of subordinate attorneys in performing the workload of the Public Defender's Office. Incumbents serve as resource persons to subordinate staff and may participate in a variety of administrative activities and projects. Incumbents may also supervise and participate in the defense of clients, particularly in situations involving very serious and/or complex issues.

• Plans, organizes and supervises the work of supervises the work of subordinate attorneys in defending individuals accused of various criminal and/or other matters before a court of law; assigns cases; trains and advises subordinates regarding the effective and appropriate defense of clients; evaluates subordinate work performance.
• Supervises and participates in, both directly and indirectly, the defense of clients in criminal or other matters, particularly when very serious and/or complex issues are involved; examines and cross-examines witnesses, presents arguments, and prepares/reviews briefs, memoranda, opinions, and civil/criminal pleadings; confers with prosecution attorneys, probation authorities, court officials and others to discuss pleas, modification of charges, presentation and review of evidence, and other legal matters; participates in mediation hearings.
• Researches, analyzes and interprets existing laws and ordinances, court decisions, pending legislation and other legal authorities; assists in drafting legislation for special County and State projects.
• Recommends administrative policy and procedural changes to improve staff effectiveness; participates in administrative projects and assignments; prepares correspondence and reports.
• Confers with prosecutors, court officers, probation and others to discuss matters of policy on behalf of the Public Defender's Office, including advisory groups and committees.

Special Requirement: Current membership in the California State Bar.

Experience: Four years of experience in the practice of criminal law, at least one year of which was in a state, city or county legal office.

Principles and practices of management, supervision and training; principles of criminal and civil law and their application; judicial procedures; rules of evidence; State and local laws and ordinances; legal research methods; methods and practices of preparing briefs, opinions, and other legal documents.

Plan, organize, train, motivate, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinate attorneys; analyze legal principles and precedents and apply them to complex factual legal problems; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; draft opinions, pleadings and briefs; independently present complex cases in court before judicial officials; maintain effective working relationships with fellow staff members, agency representatives, judicial officers and the general public; exercise independent judgment, discretion and initiative in all areas of assignment, including plea negotiations and the application of limited defense resources.

Mobility-Frequent operation of a keyboard with sitting, standing, walking and driving for long periods; occasional pushing/pulling, bending/squatting and climbing ladders and stairs; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 70 pounds; Visual-Constant good overall vision, frequent reading/close-up and color perception, depth perception and peripheral vision; occasional eye/hand coordination; Dexterity-Occasional holding, reaching, grasping, repetitive motion; frequent writing; Hearing/Talking-Constant hearing normal speech; frequent hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; occasional talking over an amplified system; Emotional/Psychological-Constant decision making and concentration, frequent public contact and working alone, weekends/nights; occasional /overtime, travel and exposure to emergency situations; Environmental-Occasional exposure to noise, cold/heat and outdoor conditions.