DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III-EMERGENCY APPOINTMEN/HOMELESS INITIATIVE

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Company: County of Los Angeles, CA

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90011

Description:

Salary : $137,412.00 - $195,516.00 Annually
Location : Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: L9251S-EA
Department: PUBLIC DEFENDER
Opening Date: 04/18/2025

Position/Program Information
Los Angeles County

INDEPENDENT DEFENSE COUNSEL OFFICE
THIS IS A REPOSTING TO REOPEN THE FILING PERIOD.
EXAM NUMBER:

L9251S-EA
RECRUITMENT TYPE:

Open Competitive - Emergency

About Us
The Independent Defense Counsel Office (IDCO) was established under the auspices of the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. The IDCO operates as an autonomous and ethically walled-off separate public law office from the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office consistent with existing case law and California State Bar guidelines.

We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County's homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Office of the Public Defender works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County's jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.

When to Apply
Applications will be accepted from Monday, April 21, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (PT) and will continue accepting applications until the vacancy is filled. The application filing window may close without prior notice.

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

Who can Apply

The IDCO is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Deputy Public Defender (DPD) III vacancy related to the homelessness crisis.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

Before the end of the initial work period, hires will be assessed on their work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to DPD III.

About the Position
The IDCO administers the contract for the private attorney bar panel who provides legal representation to justice-involved individuals in adult criminal and delinquency proceedings throughout the trial courts of Los Angeles County pursuant to California Penal Code Section 987.2, subdivision (e).

The mission of the IDCO is to vigorously protect and defend the rights, liberties, and dignity of indigent clients for which the Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender are unable to do so due to conflict of interest.
Essential Job Functions

Examples of duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • Ensuring that the defense of clients assigned to the Independent Defense Counsel Office is conducted in accordance with holistic standards, case appointment protocols, program policies and procedures, and best practices.
  • Providing operational oversight of contract panel attorney services in each region, which
    includes ensuring regular attorney availability for case appointments.
  • Review case assignments to ensure that clients are represented by attorneys with the appropriate classifications and/or expertise.
  • Engaging with clients, the Judiciary, and other justice stakeholders to address issues related to panel attorney representation and quality assurance.
  • Reviewing billing claims submitted by panel attorneys to ensure compliance with guidelines established by the Superior Court for Los Angeles County and the rates established by the Board of Supervisors.
  • Assisting in providing technical guidance, including providing information on available resources, restorative programming (e.g., housing and mental health services), and attorney training opportunities.

Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You MUST meet the requirement(s) listed below to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment:
  • One year of experience as a DPD II* within the Los Angeles County Public Defender AND
  • Be admitted to the California Bar and be licensed to practice law in all courts in California.
*Applicants must meet experience requirements by either currently holding or having held the DPD II payroll title in the past.

LICENSEA valid California Class "C" Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS II - LIGHTThis class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
Additional Information

Our Assessment Process
Before the end of your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION
  • APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. Applications submitted by U.S. Mail, Fax, or in person will not be accepted.
  • Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button for this posting. Please review your application for accuracy before submitting it. You can also track the status of your application by visiting and logging into your account.
  • Many important notifications such as application rejections and initial appointment letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on your application. It is your responsibility to provide a valid email address and review all notifications sent to you. Please add , and to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered or blocked as spam/junk/clutter mail.
  • Applicants can opt out of emails from Los Angeles County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any examination notifications. You can always access some of these notifications by logging into your profile inbox at which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.
  • Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the first day of filing as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
  • The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the Minimum Requirements. Fill out your application and Supplemental Questionnaire completely. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week and description of work performed. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
  • Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION.
  • Applicants must submit all applicable documents at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date the application is filed via email to Include the examination number and title (DPD III, L9251S-EA) in your email's subject line. Although resumes can be uploaded as attachments to the application, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the online application.
Social Security Number
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Applicants can find out more information about select in-person library services and locations by visiting the Los Angeles County Library website.

No Sharing of User ID and Password
All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password.
Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Fair Chance Initiative
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records that are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Questions? Contact us:
Exam Number: L9251S-EA
Department Contact Name: Jason Sasaki
Department Contact Phone: (213) 224-9937
Department Contact Email:
ADA Coordinator Email:
California Relay Service Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit:
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit:
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at
Revised January 2025
For detailed information, please click
01
The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process. SELECT AND REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS CAREFULLY.

Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying experience or education. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response. All information is subject to verification at any time in the examination and hiring process. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or dismissal.
  • I understand the above information and instructions.

02
Notices such as application rejections and selection and appointment notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on your application. It is your responsibility to provide a valid email address and review all notifications sent to you.
Please add Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov, JSasaki@pubdef.lacounty.gov, Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov, noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered or blocked as spam/junk/clutter mail.

  • I understand and will comply with the above information and instructions.

03

This Deputy Public Defender III job opportunity works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • I understand and am willing to perform all necessary work duties related to this recruitment and hiring process.

04

How many months of experience do you have as a Deputy Public Defender II with the Law Office of the Los Angeles County Public Defender?
  • 12 months or more
  • More than 6 months but less than 12 months
  • I do not have this experience.

05

Do you have any experience as a panel attorney and/or managing panel attorneys?
  • Yes
  • No

06

If you indicated experience as a panel attorney and/or managing panel attorneys in Question #5 above, please indicate where this experience was gained:
  • Payroll Title
  • Employer Name (e.g., Law Firm, Agency, or County Department)
  • Dates of Employment: FROM: (mm/dd/yy) - TO (mm/dd/yy)
  • Duties performed

Comments such as "see resume or application" WILL NOT be considered as a full response. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A" as your response. Failure to provide ALL the requested information above may result in disqualification or rejection of your application.

07

I understand that to show I qualify to participate in this examination I must submit supporting documentation and the following applies to me:
  • I have been admitted to Practice Law in all Courts in California, AND I have uploaded a photocopy of my California State Bar Card.
  • I have been admitted to Practice Law in all Courts in California, BUT I have not uploaded a photocopy of my California State Bar Card -BUT- I will submit this documentation via email to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov within seven (7) calendar days from the date of my application.
  • I DO NOT have current admission to practice law in all courts of California.

Required Question

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