San Bernardino County
Deputy Public Defender II/III/IV
San Bernardino County, California, Missouri, United States, 65018
Overview
Join our team and help defend the rights and dignity of our clients to ensure equitable access to justice through holistic representation while reunifying families and communities. Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number are received. Salary and Schedule
Planned salary/step increases 2.5% Step Increase every 1040 service hours until the top step is reached. Automatic promotion to Deputy Public Defender II (with a successful work performance evaluation). 3% Annual Across the Board Salary Increases on February 2026. Salary increases contingent upon assessed values for the previous fiscal year. Flexible Schedule Attorneys may have the opportunity to work a flexible 9/80 work schedule. Assignments Incentive
Victorville/Joshua Tree Assignment Incentive Candidates assigned to the Victorville or Joshua Tree offices may be eligible to receive an additional incentive of $77 per pay period ($2002 annually). See Attorney MOU for details and criteria. The Office of the Public Defender is recruiting for Deputy Public Defenders II/III/IV. These positions offer a challenging career in criminal trial work. Incumbents represent indigent defendants and provide skilled legal counsel and courtroom advocacy at all critical phases of state level criminal and civil commitment litigation. Public Defenders conduct legal research, prepare and argue motions, writs, briefs and opinions; interview and counsel clients; participate in developing effective investigation plans; negotiate with opposing counsel; and prepare and conduct trials. We are also recruiting for Deputy Public Defender I; a separate application is required for the Deputy Public Defender I level. Spanish-English bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation for bilingual skills. Initial Appointment
Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for Deputy Public Defender II, III, and IV. Job offers for the initial appointment may be made at any level based on qualifications and department needs. Indicate your level of interest on the supplemental questionnaire. The Deputy Public Defender series offers accelerated advancement up to the IV level per criteria in the Attorney MOU (see page 58). Please Note : Salary posted is the range for the II-IV levels. Please see job description and salary range for each level below: Deputy Public Defender II
— $109,116 - $120,452 Annually Deputy Public Defender III
— $126,464 - $139,568 Annually Deputy Public Defender IV
— $150,051 - $201,531 Annually Excellent Benefits Package
Health benefits, paid time off, retirement perks, and other programs are available. See below for details. Health Benefits Medical & Dental: Family Coverage Vision: Employee Coverage Premium subsidies to offset health costs Flexible Spending Account for qualified healthcare expenses Paid Time Off Up to 4 weeks vacation with cash-out option 11 days sick leave 15 paid holidays Perfect Attendance Leave Retirement Perks Generous pension Retirement reciprocity may be available 457(b) Deferred Compensation Retirement Medical Trust (RMT) Other benefits include a DCAP account, life insurance, AD&D, 529 plan, disability coverage, wellness program, commuter benefits, discounts, and annual tuition reimbursement. Information on Modified Benefit Option (MBO) is available in the MBO Benefits Summary Guide. Conditions of Employment
Assignment:
Assignments may be made at any location throughout the County depending on department needs. Background:
Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, prior to appointment. State Bar:
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California required. This status must be maintained to remain employed. Promotion:
Deputy Public Defender I may be promoted to II, III, or IV upon meeting requirements and a satisfactory evaluation. IV level may earn up to $189,966 annually. Sponsorship:
San Bernardino County cannot sponsor visas at application or in the future. License:
Active California State Bar license required prior to hire. Members licensed out of state may apply if they expect to pass the CA Bar. Experience
Deputy Public Defender II:
Six months of criminal trial experience as an attorney, or one year of trial experience.
Deputy Public Defender III:
Eighteen months of criminal trial experience, or two years of trial experience.
Deputy Public Defender IV:
Thirty months of criminal trial experience, or three years of trial experience. Ideal candidates will have community service and volunteering with indigent defendants and families. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Application Procedure
Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications are accepted until a sufficient number are received; recruitment may close at any time without notice. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application or supplemental questionnaire. To ensure timely submission, complete and submit before the posted filing deadline. You will receive an onscreen confirmation and email after successful submission. If you do not receive a confirmation and email, your application was not received. All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Check your GovernmentJobs account and adjust firewalls and spam settings to receive communications from hr.sbcounty.gov. EEO/ADA:
San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation:
If you require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of the recruitment filing deadline. Veterans’ Preference:
Eligible veterans and their spouses may receive additional Veterans’ Preference points. Click here for information and instructions. Please click here for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process.
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Join our team and help defend the rights and dignity of our clients to ensure equitable access to justice through holistic representation while reunifying families and communities. Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number are received. Salary and Schedule
Planned salary/step increases 2.5% Step Increase every 1040 service hours until the top step is reached. Automatic promotion to Deputy Public Defender II (with a successful work performance evaluation). 3% Annual Across the Board Salary Increases on February 2026. Salary increases contingent upon assessed values for the previous fiscal year. Flexible Schedule Attorneys may have the opportunity to work a flexible 9/80 work schedule. Assignments Incentive
Victorville/Joshua Tree Assignment Incentive Candidates assigned to the Victorville or Joshua Tree offices may be eligible to receive an additional incentive of $77 per pay period ($2002 annually). See Attorney MOU for details and criteria. The Office of the Public Defender is recruiting for Deputy Public Defenders II/III/IV. These positions offer a challenging career in criminal trial work. Incumbents represent indigent defendants and provide skilled legal counsel and courtroom advocacy at all critical phases of state level criminal and civil commitment litigation. Public Defenders conduct legal research, prepare and argue motions, writs, briefs and opinions; interview and counsel clients; participate in developing effective investigation plans; negotiate with opposing counsel; and prepare and conduct trials. We are also recruiting for Deputy Public Defender I; a separate application is required for the Deputy Public Defender I level. Spanish-English bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation for bilingual skills. Initial Appointment
Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for Deputy Public Defender II, III, and IV. Job offers for the initial appointment may be made at any level based on qualifications and department needs. Indicate your level of interest on the supplemental questionnaire. The Deputy Public Defender series offers accelerated advancement up to the IV level per criteria in the Attorney MOU (see page 58). Please Note : Salary posted is the range for the II-IV levels. Please see job description and salary range for each level below: Deputy Public Defender II
— $109,116 - $120,452 Annually Deputy Public Defender III
— $126,464 - $139,568 Annually Deputy Public Defender IV
— $150,051 - $201,531 Annually Excellent Benefits Package
Health benefits, paid time off, retirement perks, and other programs are available. See below for details. Health Benefits Medical & Dental: Family Coverage Vision: Employee Coverage Premium subsidies to offset health costs Flexible Spending Account for qualified healthcare expenses Paid Time Off Up to 4 weeks vacation with cash-out option 11 days sick leave 15 paid holidays Perfect Attendance Leave Retirement Perks Generous pension Retirement reciprocity may be available 457(b) Deferred Compensation Retirement Medical Trust (RMT) Other benefits include a DCAP account, life insurance, AD&D, 529 plan, disability coverage, wellness program, commuter benefits, discounts, and annual tuition reimbursement. Information on Modified Benefit Option (MBO) is available in the MBO Benefits Summary Guide. Conditions of Employment
Assignment:
Assignments may be made at any location throughout the County depending on department needs. Background:
Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, prior to appointment. State Bar:
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California required. This status must be maintained to remain employed. Promotion:
Deputy Public Defender I may be promoted to II, III, or IV upon meeting requirements and a satisfactory evaluation. IV level may earn up to $189,966 annually. Sponsorship:
San Bernardino County cannot sponsor visas at application or in the future. License:
Active California State Bar license required prior to hire. Members licensed out of state may apply if they expect to pass the CA Bar. Experience
Deputy Public Defender II:
Six months of criminal trial experience as an attorney, or one year of trial experience.
Deputy Public Defender III:
Eighteen months of criminal trial experience, or two years of trial experience.
Deputy Public Defender IV:
Thirty months of criminal trial experience, or three years of trial experience. Ideal candidates will have community service and volunteering with indigent defendants and families. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Application Procedure
Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications are accepted until a sufficient number are received; recruitment may close at any time without notice. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application or supplemental questionnaire. To ensure timely submission, complete and submit before the posted filing deadline. You will receive an onscreen confirmation and email after successful submission. If you do not receive a confirmation and email, your application was not received. All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Check your GovernmentJobs account and adjust firewalls and spam settings to receive communications from hr.sbcounty.gov. EEO/ADA:
San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation:
If you require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of the recruitment filing deadline. Veterans’ Preference:
Eligible veterans and their spouses may receive additional Veterans’ Preference points. Click here for information and instructions. Please click here for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr