Assistant Public Defender

Job Description:

Assistant Public Defender

Description

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026 Exam #: P26/12C11/01JL

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 Assistant Public Defender. This is an executive management level position responsible for the management of one or more major divisions of the Public Defender’s Office and is key in recommending and implementing policies and directives. Direction is received from the Public Defender and/or Chief Assistant Public Defender. The emphasis of the work of this position involves the overall administrative responsibility for division activities to include serving as a trial attorney and providing analysis for the most complex, difficult 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

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.

• Assists the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender in planning, organizing, and directing the work of the Public Defender’s Office; participates in selection of staff; coordinates policy application within assigned division(s) and with other divisions as necessary
• Acts for the Public Defender in the absence of the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender or at their direction; represents the Public Defender in meetings; performs reviews and analyses of policy and operational issues
• Directs the work of a major division(s) in the Office; assigns cases, manages workload, supervises and evaluates the work of assigned attorneys; provides guidance and advice to attorneys on complex legal issues
• Supervises staff in the preparation of reports, opinions, pleadings, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents related to trials, hearings, and other complex legal proceedings
• Plans and implements short and long-term goals upon general direction of the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender; sets forth objectives and strategies for the assigned division(s) to ensure organizational efficiency and completion of work as approved by the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender
• Recommends modifications of policies to the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender and implements polices as directed by the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender
• Interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of complex cases, opinions, and briefs
• Conducts and/or attends various external and internal meetings such as regular staff meetings to review progress, accomplishments, and strategies
• Maintains and expands professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications; presents seminars to County attorneys concerning relevant topics
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required

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

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, and practices regarding the practice of law in the State of California
• Applicable state, federal, and local ordinances, laws, rules, and regulations
• The functions, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of the Public Defender’s Office
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through supervision
• Managing the most difficult criminal cases including sex, gangs, homicides, and capital cases
• Rules of evidence, trial techniques, and courtroom evidence presentation procedures
• Principles, methods, material, and practices of legal research and report presentation
• Principles and practices of personnel management, including supervision, corrective measures, evaluation, training, and development
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records-management techniques
• Ethical and professional standards of conduct
• Principles and practices of office management
• 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

Working Knowledge of:

• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the position
• Issues and laws relating to personnel management
• Operational policies and procedures of other justice departments
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation

Skill and Ability to:

• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other legal written materials
• Use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments with minimum direction
• Analyze situations effectively, interpret and apply laws and regulations, and recommend effective courses of action; appraise and organize facts, evidence, strategy, and tactics in the most complex cases, which may include capital case defense
• Use good judgment when dealing with others in a variety of stressful and non-stressful situations
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in written form to present statements of fact, points of law and argument concisely and logically
• Select, plan, organize, assign, direct, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff
• Motivate staff by supporting and providing for training and professional development
• Analyze and resolve office administrative situations and problems
• Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures, and government regulations
• Develop and implement policies, systems and procedures to improve operations in the Public Defender’s Office
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with all encountered during work characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect inclusive of position and diverse cultural, ethnic, gender, demographics, and individual uniqueness
• Prepare and present cases in court; negotiate settlements
• Maintain confidentiality and objectivity

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 :

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in defending or prosecuting criminal and/or civil cases with at least one (1) 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 25, 2026, 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:

Human Resources Department

Attn: Jovany Luna

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
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 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 (831) 755- 5395 or LunaCorreaJ@countyofmonterey.gov

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

Closing Date/Time: 1/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$205,752.00 - $281,016.00 Annually