About Us

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

The Marin County Public Defender’s Office strives to provide effective and innovative legal services by protecting the constitutional rights of clients while treating them with respect and encouraging them to lead productive and positive lives.

About The Position

There is currently one (1) full time regular hire fixed-term vacancy in the Public Defender’s Office. This fixed-term position is approved for two (2) years; however, there may be opportunities for the hired individual during this time-period to move to a regular, ongoing position as other vacancies or promotional opportunities occur, or the position may be funded and convert to an ongoing position. Fixed-term employment ends when the position’s funding finishes, or the work is completed. Employees in these positions are exempt from the County’s policies regarding lay-off order and reduction-in-force rights.

A Deputy Public Defender III (Immigration Attorney) advises clients and Deputy Public Defenders as to the immigration consequences of criminal charges and assists in developing strategies and negotiating with courts, the District Attorney, and/or other departments. Further, the Immigration Attorney assists other Deputy Public Defenders in mitigating the adverse immigration consequences for noncitizen clients. As an expert in immigration law and how it relates to criminal defense matters, the Immigration Attorney also develops and presents periodic training sessions for our Deputy Public Defenders regarding new rulings and regulatory changes to immigration law.

Required: Written and verbal fluency in both English and Spanish.

Bilingual Testing/Certification: The successful candidate must have bilingual skills, and they must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to receiving differential pay. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidate possesses the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements.

The Public Defender’s Office has embraced a hybrid work schedule that considers that some duties of this position may be performed remotely. However, the successful candidate must be able to report to County facilities for meetings, work assignments, and/or disaster service work upon short notice, as needed and deemed appropriate. During the initial probationary period, the successful candidate may be required to work primarily onsite before establishing a hybrid work schedule.

About You

Our Highly Qualified Candidate: The ideal candidate is a team player with exceptional communication skills who remains calm under pressure in a fast-paced working environment. They are current on immigration law as it relates to criminal cases and have the ability to effectively train criminal defense attorneys regarding this ever-changing area of law. The ideal candidate will collaborate effectively and ethically with everyone in the criminal justice system always keeping our client’s best interest in mind.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Immigration consequences of California criminal charges and cases
Principles of criminal, juvenile, and immigration law and aspects of civil law related to Public Defender work including laws and procedures specific to the assignment.
Trial and hearing procedures, procedure, and substantive law.
Legal research methods commensurate with the level of experience of the class.
Standard legal office practices and procedures; and computer applications related to the work.

Ability To

Interview a variety of individuals and solicit needed information to determine facts and circumstances.
Analyze cases and apply legal principles to develop effective defense strategies.
Present statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
Prepare clear, concise, accurate and effective legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
Communicate logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and department while demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy and compassion.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Keep detailed and accurate records; compose and disseminate correspondence as required.
Prepare and conduct legal trainings on immigration consequences of criminal convictions.

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience involving legal work as a Deputy Public Defender, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

If assigned as an Immigration Attorney, two (2) years of the experience must have been practicing immigration law, including direct representation of, or consultation with, defense attorneys regarding noncitizens in cases involving criminal matters.

Certificates And Licenses

Current active membership in the State Bar of California is required.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.

Special Requirements: The successful candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095. If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Linda Kline at linda.kline@marincounty.gov.

PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.

COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL

Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage.

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.

Health Plan: Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.

Retirement: Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.

IRS 457 Plan: Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.

For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104. For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01

QUALIFYING EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: The minimum qualifications for the position are as follows:

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience involving legal work as a Deputy Public Defender, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

In addition, as an Immigration Attorney, two (2) years of the experience must have been practicing immigration law, including direct representation of, or consultation with defense attorneys regarding noncitizens in cases involving criminal matters.

Certificates and Licenses: Current active membership in the State Bar of California is required.

Do you currently possess active membership in the State Bar of California?

02

If you checked Yes above, please enter your Bar number here. If you checked No above, please state “Not Applicable”.

03

Responsibilities

Please select your level of progressively responsible experience involving legal work as a Deputy Public Defender, or an equivalent combination of training and experience, from the following choices:

3 or more years
Less than 3, but more than 2 years
Less than 2, but more than 1 year
Less than 1 year
I do not possess this experience or training

04

Please Select Your Level Of Experience Practicing Immigration Law, Including Direct Representation Of, Or Consultation With Defense Attorneys Regarding Noncitizens In Cases Involving Criminal Matters

2 or more years
Less than 2, but more than 1 year
Less than 1 year
I do not possess this experience

05

Please tell us how you meet the minimum requirements for the position as stated above. Please provide us with a detailed description of your experience including duties and responsibilities, the name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience, and the dates of employment where you gained this experience.

06

Do you possess the ability to speak, read and write proficiently in both Spanish and English?

Please Note: This position requires bilingual skills. The successful candidate must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to appointment. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the successful candidate possesses the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements of the position.

07

Please describe your experience consulting with Deputy Public Defenders in complex and sensitive immigration cases. In your answer, specify the number of years of experience you have in this area, the agency you gained this experience, as well as any specific methods or approaches you use in these situations.

08

Describe your experience advising trial attorneys as to the immigration consequences of criminal charges. In your answer, include your role in assisting in developing strategies and negotiating with courts, the District Attorney, and/or other departments to mitigate the adverse immigration consequences for noncitizen clients. In your answer please detail the specific steps you take to ensure consistent and effective communication with both clients and attorneys.

09

Please share your experience in working with individuals from backgrounds different from yours. How would this experience translate to working within our environment, with teammates and with our clients?

Required Question

County of Marin

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Deputy Public Defender III (Immigration Attorney) - Fixed Term