Deputy Attorney - Alternate Public Defender

Deputy Attorney

The County of El Dorado is committed to promoting the power of public service by fostering a diverse and collaborative workplace where employees are empowered, respected, and valued. The dedicated efforts taken by the Board of Supervisors continue to promote El Dorado County as a competitive employer that is committed to recruiting and retaining qualified employees by advocating for competitive salaries and excellent benefits. The County of El Dorado also supports providing telework opportunities for employees consistent with business needs and in accordance with Board of Supervisors Policy E-12 - Telecommuting.

The Alternate Public Defender's Office is committed to providing legal representation for people charged with criminal offenses who cannot afford to hire private counsel. The Alternate Public Defender's office provides quality legal services in a compassionate and professional manner, providing constitutional balance to the El Dorado County Legal System. Join the newest and most innovative Alternate Public Defender's Office in the state. Conveniently located in Placerville, our office is 45 minutes from the South Lake Tahoe Basin and 45 minutes from Sacramento. Western El Dorado County offers rural living with access to high performing school districts and suburban amenities at a fraction of the cost of the Bay Area and Los Angeles. From rafting in the summer, to skiing in the winter enjoy all four seasons there is something for everyone in El Dorado County. Come join us making a difference in this community.

The opportunity performs professional legal work in one of several specialized legal areas, including criminal prosecution, public defense, child support enforcement, civil litigation, or elder law. Provides strategic legal counsel and representation to County departments, employees, and the public on legal rights, obligations, and procedures. Handles high-stakes legal matters, including litigation, policy development, and multi-agency coordination. Assignments require advanced expertise and independent judgment and are focused within a single functional area, such as the District Attorney, Public Defender, Child Support Services, or Senior Citizens' Services.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Perform the full range of routine to complex legal activities
• Represent the County in moderate to high-profile and multi-jurisdictional legal matters, including trials, hearings, and appeals with far-reaching implications.
• Lead negotiations, mediation, and resolution of cases with significant financial, operational, or policy impacts.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and provide technical direction on specialized legal projects, offering mentorship and strategic oversight.
• Draft and review legal documents.

For a full description of duties and responsibilities, please review the job description here. Human Resources will assess your application to determine if you are minimally qualified using the following recommendations: Possession of a Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from an accredited law school; AND Active membership in the California State Bar; AND Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience as a licensed practicing attorney, preferably with demonstrated expertise in the assigned functional area (e.g., criminal prosecution, public defense, child support enforcement, or elder law). Licenses and Certifications: Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California or Nevada Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.

If you are interested in the position of Deputy Attorney, please submit your application.