Chief Assistant Public Defender (Promotional Only)

Job Description:

Chief Assistant Public Defender (Promotional Only)

Description

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: Sunday, January 11, 2026 Exam #: P26/12A06/01JL

Chief Assistant Public Defender

(Promotional Only)

This is a Promotional Only recruitment; open only to current regular County of Monterey employees and former employees whose names currently appear on an active Recall List.

The County of Monterey’s Office of the Public Defender is dedicated to ensuring that the constitutional right to counsel is provided to all regardless of charge, circumstance, or public passion. The Office has 62 full-time positions and is supported by an annual budget of approximately $20.5 million.

The mission of the Office of the Public Defender is to effectively, efficiently, and zealously defend the Constitutional and statutory rights of indigent defendants, juveniles, and community members in criminal and post sentence relief, and limited civil proceedings, by developing strong attorney-client relationships, and by working with our Public Safety Partners, community members and organizations to insure our clients will thrive as members of Monterey County thereby promoting a thriving, safe and secure environment.

The Office of the Public Defender seeks qualified applicants to apply for the position of Chief Assistant Public Defender. This single position class is an Assistant Department Head position reporting directly to the Public Defender. The Chief Assistant Public Defender has responsibility for assisting the Public Defender with departmental administrative matters, directing the day-to-day activities of the Office; assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures; and acts as senior counsel in serious, controversial and high penalty cases.

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

Examples of Duties

• Assist the Public Defender with the administration of the Office by developing organization plans and procedures and effects changes; acts for and makes interim policy and procedural decisions in the absence of the Public Defender.
  
• Plans, directs and manages administrative support activities in such areas as budget development, financial administration and reporting, purchasing, contract administration, management analysis, personnel, payroll administration, automation and program evaluation.
  
• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned staff; recommends selection of staff; trains staff in work procedures and provides for their professional development; recommends and/or administers discipline as required.
  
• Consults with Public Defender on overall department budget; directs and participates in the development of the department's budget, that includes multiple programmatic or functional budgets.
  
• Advises attorneys in appellate matters and approves the taking of appeals to appropriate Courts.
  
• Consults with lead attorneys and supervising attorneys on Court coverage and legal questions and on conflict of interest and other specific case related issues. Consults with the Public Defender and Assistant Public Defenders on various policy and administrative issues.
  
• Acts as a liaison with other criminal justice agencies and/or public organizations, various County departments, and funding agencies; assists in community outreach.
  
• Conducts complex jury trials and special tasks delegated by the Public Defender; makes Court appearances.
  
• Responds to and resolves public complains and questions regarding services provided; advises the general public and law enforcement personnel on criminal matters.
  
• Performs related duties as required
  

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Duties, powers, responsibilities, limitations and the authorities of the Office of the Public Defender.
• Advanced principles and applications of civil and criminal law, trial procedure and techniques, conduct of court proceedings, rules of evidence, legal research methods and judicial procedures.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Standard legal office practices and procedures.
• Management of a law office.
• Operational policies and procedures of other justice departments.
• Techniques for dealing with individuals of varying races, genders, ethnicities and ages, some of whom may have physical or emotional problems and who appear to be difficult, confused or hostile.
• The handling of capital cases.
• Basic issues and laws relating to personnel management.
• Ethical and professional standards of conduct.
• Principles and practices of office management.

Working Knowledge of:

• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions oft he position.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goalsetting and implementation.

Skill and Ability to:

• Interpret and apply legal principles and precedents to new and difficult legal problems.
• Plan, organize and direct the operation of the assigned unit in the Public Defender’s Office.
• Develop and implement policies, systems and procedures to improve operations of divisions/units in the Public Defender’s Office.
• Analyze complex legal problems, apply appropriate legal principles and practices and take effective course of action.
• Communicate logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, Judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and departments, including community groups and associations.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in written format to presents statements of fact, points of law and argument concisely and logically.
• Plan, assign, monitor, supervise, guide, counsel and evaluate attorneys in complex areas of law.
• Act as a resource and provide guidance to staff within assigned unit.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Provide excellent public relations and courteous customer service and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrate patience, tact, courtesy and compassion.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience :

Seven (7) years of broad and progressively responsible experience in prosecuting or defending criminal or civil cases with at least two (2) of those years being in the management and administration of one or more divisions/units within a law firm which included direct supervision of assigned staff.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess current, valid membership in the California State Bar pursuant to Section 6060 of the Business and Professions Code.
  
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
  
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings.
  
• Successfully complete and pass a background check to include fingerprinting.
  

BENEFITS
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Y Unit ( Safety & Non-Safety Executive Management) Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

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

by Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PST)

OR

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Jovany Luna, Supervising HR Analyst

Attn: Human Resources

168 West Alisal Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 755-5395 | Email: LunaCorreaJ@countyofmonterey.gov

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. 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

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. 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 selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The County of Monterey 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 is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Jovany Luna, Supervising HR Analyst, at LunaCorreaJ@countyofmonterey.gov or (831) 755-5395.

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

Closing Date/Time: 1/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$217,668.00 - $297,288.00 Annually