Deputy Public Defender I​/II​/III​/IV​/V

AMENDED 07/31/24; 11/19/24

Salary (paid bi-weekly):

Level I:$3,046.12 - $3,640.40

Level II:$3,502.65 - $4,185.99

Level III:$4,047.76 - $4,837.45

Level IV:$5,015.96 - $5,994.54

Level V:$5,625.65 - $6,723.17

Examination:
Appraisal (Weight 100%): of training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the work based on any combination of the following:
Investigation, oral exam and rating of application.

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Minimum Requirements/Employment Standards:

Applicant must be licensed by the California State Bar.

Level I: Applicant must be licensed by the California State Bar.

Level II: Applicants must be licensed by State Bar of California and have one (1) year of experience in the practice of law.

Level III: Applicants must be licensed by the California State Bar and have two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal and/or civil law.

Level IV: Licensure by the California State Bar, and three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal and/or civil law.

Level V: Licensure by the California State Bar, and seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal and/or civil law.

All applicants: must have the ability to travel to locations outside of the regular office to perform necessary legal services; have knowledge of the principles of law and their application, including criminal law; knowledge of trial procedure and the rules of evidence; knowledge of legal research methods; ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically; ability to maintain effective working relationships with others;

ability to evaluate people and to obtain information through interrogation.

Full Job Description For:
Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV/V

This position works within the Kern County Public Defender's Office. For more information about the department, please view their website here.

Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.

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Growth Mindset

We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.

Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.

A background check may be conducted for this classification.

This examination will establish an eligible list from which an immediate appointment will be made. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed.

Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.

For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see ourFAQ page.

Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.