CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

Job Specifications

Class Code:	JG8
Analyst:	SC

Date Originated:	10/21
Date Revised:

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to plan, organize and direct the operation of either the Criminal Defense and/or Administrative Services for the Public Defender’s Office; to defend the most complex or sensitive cases; to serve as a member of the management team; to act for the Public Defender as assigned; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Class of Chief Deputy Public Defender serves under the direction and at the pleasure of the Public Defender. Incumbents serve as a member of the management team to assist the Public Defender to conduct long range planning and set policies and procedures. This class serves as an Assistant Department Head and acts for the Public Defender as required.

TYPICAL TASKS

Criminal Defense Services: 

• Plans, organizes, directs, assigns and evaluates the work of attorneys engaged in defending criminal cases in Superior and Municipal Court;
• Assigns and rotates staff to assure that the difficulty and complexity of cases match the skill level of assigned attorney;
• Sets objectives and performance standards;
• Assures that staff is trained;
• Serves as a member of the management team to conduct long range planning and formulate and set policies and procedures;
• Prepares and monitors the division budget;
• Studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions and other legal authorities;
• May personally prepare and try cases of special importance and complexity;
• Maintains liaison with Superior and appropriate Municipal Courts;
• Reviews and approves recommendations of subordinate staff in complex cases;
• Issues press releases;
• Represents the Public Defender at meetings and conferences as assigned;
• Acts as a resource and internal consultant to staff, other County departments and local law enforcement agencies;
• Prepares correspondence and reports;
• Attends and/or conducts meetings and conferences.

Administrative Services:

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates through subordinate managers the work of staff functions including, Administrative Services such as:
  
  
  • Budget Administration
  • Data Processing
  • Personnel
  • Office Systems;
• Oversees the preparation and fiscal control of the departmental budget;
• Plans, develops and implements the departmental staff training and education program which includes attorneys and other professional staff;
• Serves as a team member of the management team with the responsibility for researching and recommending long range plans and system wide projects;

• Implements long range plans, system projects and policies and procedures;
• Supervises the Diversity/Inclusion and Safety Programs;
• Coordinates legislative review and research, and may propose and advocate for new laws;
• Oversees and coordinates grant selection and application;
• May write and present grant applications;
• Coordinates special projects, programs, and grants which include other County departments, outside community, and law enforcement agencies;
• Issues press releases;
• Represents the Public Defender at meetings and conferences as assigned;
• Acts as a resource and internal consultant to staff, other County departments and local law enforcement agencies;
• Prepares correspondence and reports;
• Attends and/or conducts meetings and conferences.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Criminal Defense:

Thorough Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practice of criminal law;
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence;
• Legal research methods;
• Effective courtroom presentation techniques and procedures;

Working Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practice of supervision;

Some Knowledge Of:

• Budgeting procedures;
• Office organization and management.

Administration:

Thorough Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practice of criminal law;
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence;

Working Knowledge Of:

• Civil law;
• Principles and practices of supervision and training;
• Governmental budgeting procedures;
• Principles and practices of organization and management;
• Organization, simplification and layout;
• Legal research methods and legislative review;

Some Knowledge Of:

• Governmental organization and functional responsibilities.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the operation of the assigned service area/division in the Public Defender's Office;
• Assign, train and evaluate the work of professional and support staff;
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment to solve difficult administrative, technical and personnel problems;
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the courts, law enforcement agencies, staff and the public;
• Prepare and present clear, concise and logical statement of facts, law, argument and technical and administrative reports;
• Develop and implement policies, systems and procedures to improve operations;
• Interpret, analyze, explain, and apply complex laws, legal documents, rules, and regulations.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the necessary skills and abilities, listed above is considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Five years of experience in the practice of the law*, including two years of administrative work or criminal defense.

*Note: Experience gained after admission to a State Bar.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Membership in the California State Bar.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None

Bargaining Unit: 06

EEOC Job Category:  01

Occupational Grouping: 32

Worker's Comp Code: 0053