Deputy District Attorney III/IV

Job Description:

Deputy District Attorney III/IV

Description

Position Description

Exam #: 22/39D31/07CC

Where can you get a competitive compensation package at a place that is committed to doing the right and ethical thing while working in paradise?

That place is the County of Monterey!

The County of Monterey is the employer of choice: attracting, developing, and retaining a competent, creative and highly committed workforce.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office is seeking to hire smart, ethical, public service minded attorneys motivated to seek justice and promote public safety on behalf of the people of the County of Monterey and the State of California.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office is now recruiting to fill Deputy District Attorney / Prosecutor III & IV positions in the criminal and civil divisions.

Positions are available in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions. Deputy District Attorney / Prosecutor IIIs and IVs manage a high volume of more difficult criminal and civil cases with minimal supervision. Deputy District Attorney IIIs and IVs must perform complex legal research and present complicated factual and legal issues clearly, both orally and in writing.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office has headquarters at the Salinas Courthouse and a satellite office in Monterey. There are 53 Deputy District Attorneys. The criminal prosecutors work in the Salinas office. The consumer and environmental protection prosecutors work in the Monterey office. The office is an approved MCLE provider and conducts regular in-house training.

The Criminal Division is in Salinas adjacent to the courthouse and is subdivided into various units including felony, misdemeanors, juvenile, auto insurance fraud, child abuse, disability and healthcare insurance fraud, elder abuse, gangs, prison crime, sexual assault, and workers' compensation insurance fraud. The Civil Division is in Monterey and handles consumer protection, environmental crimes, cannabis enforcement, real estate fraud, asset forfeiture, and weapon forfeiture.

The ideal candidate for the Criminal Division is an experienced litigator with a significant number of prior jury trials and who has prior service in a District Attorney's Office, Attorney General's Office, Public Defender's Office, or other criminal defense litigation firm.

The ideal candidate for the Civil Division has extensive working knowledge and practical experience with California rules of civil procedure, law and motion, drafting of pleadings and discovery, including complaints, stipulated judgments, injunctions, and investigative subpoenas. Solid negotiation skills are a must. The ideal candidate will also have meaningful experience, whether in the public or private sector, handling cases under Business & Professions Code sections 17200 and 17500.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the 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 in accordance with the Flexible Staffing Program and Guidelines.

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

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY / PROSECUTOR III: (Salary: $ 10,132 - $ 13,773 Monthly)
The Deputy District Attorney III / Prosecutor III is the third level in the career series. Incumbents at this level are expected to independently manage a difficult criminal/civil caseload involving complex legal research and interpretation.

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY / PROSECUTOR IV: (Salary: $ 12,649 - $ 17,220 Monthly)
The Deputy District Attorney IV / Prosecutor IV is the highest level in the career series. Incumbents at this level independently manage the most difficult criminal/civil cases.

As of July 01, 2024, the District Attorney's Office may offer up to $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment hired after July 01, 2024.

Examples of Duties

• Prepares and prosecutes 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 scheduled court hearings such as arraignments, pretrial hearings and motions, sentencing and probation revocations, and forfeiture proceedings.
• Prepares legal briefs, motions, memorandums of points and authorities, documents and pleadings.
• Interviews victims, police officers and witnesses.
• Determines the nature of follow-up investigations needed for trial or settlement.
• Marshals, reviews and prepares evidence for presentation in court, mediation or other resolution proceedings.
• Negotiates the appropriate disposition of cases without going to trial.
• Evaluates requests for the issuance of criminal or civil complaints; analyzes evidence presented for sufficiency and determines if additional evidence is required.
• Advises the general public and law enforcement personnel on criminal and other matters affecting the health and safety of consumers.
• May be assigned to train and/or serve as lead worker over less experienced attorneys.

To view the complete job description visit the Monterey County website:
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/class-specifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
Pursuant to Section 6060 of the Business and Professionals Code, current, valid membership in the California State Bar is required by date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
A combination of experience, education and/or training which substantially demonstrates the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Working Knowledge of:

• The duties, responsibilities, powers and limitations of the Office of the District Attorney.
• The ethical standards that apply to prosecutors and attorneys.
• The methods of legal research and writing.
• The rules of evidence.

Thorough Knowledge of:

• The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
• Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Use a computer.
• 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 relationships with those contacted during work.
• Independently manage increasingly difficult cases 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

The required conditions of employment include but are not limited to:

• Successfully complete a thorough background investigation which will include a record of any criminal convictions.
• Respond to law enforcement requests for assistance when on-duty.
• Independently manage a heavy caseload, occasionally requiring extra hours of work.
• Rotate between the Salinas and Monterey offices and courthouses.

BENEFITS:
Monterey County offers an excellent benefits package. To view the "Unit E - Deputy District Attorneys" Benefit Summary Sheet, please visit our website. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract.

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
or
Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:
Monterey County, Human Resources Department
Attn: Channelle Ceralde, Senior Personnel Analyst
168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor Salinas, CA 93901
Email: ceralded@co.monterey.ca.us | Phone: 831-755-5162

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
• Resume

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 examination process.

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 provides reasonable accommodations for the disabled. If you believe you possess a disability that would require test accommodation, please call Channelle Ceralde at (831) 755-5162.

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

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$121,584.00 - $206,640.00 Annually