Certified Police Officer

Description

Under direction, interviews, advises, and represents clients in authorized criminal and civil cases; structures and directs investigations; prepares trials, pleadings, and motions; tries cases before court and jury; effectively presents sentencing and disposition positions on behalf of clients; and performs related duties as required and appropriate.

Examples of Duties

• Interviews clients regarding prospective criminal or civil actions and advises them of their rights and legal options; structures and directs investigations; reviews evidence; interviews witnesses and prepares them to testify.
• Conducts legal research; analyzes statutes, case law, evidence, and other relevant information in order to develop case strategies.
• Presents statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and effectively, in both written and oral format.
• Works cooperatively with and represents persons from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Maintains confidentiality and objectivity.
• Works effectively with others, often under stressful conditions.
• Manages a caseload.
• Interviews witnesses.
• Negotiates settlements.
• Presents and conducts trials.
• Understands and applies policies and practices.

Employment Standards

• Active membership in the State Bar of California and possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License for all levels;
• Not less than:
• Five years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy Public Defender IV with Santa Barbara County;
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

Knowledge

• The principles of criminal and civil law and their application;
• Legal research methods;
• The organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions;
• California civil and criminal codes;
• The U.S. and California Constitutions;
• Rules of evidence, trial procedures;
• Administrative law;
• Ethical and professional rules of conduct;
• Negotiating techniques.

Ability

• To perform legal research;
• To analyze and apply legal principles and precedents, facts, and evidence to legal problems;
• To present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and effectively, in both written and oral format;
• To work cooperatively with and represent persons from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds;
• To maintain confidentiality and objectivity;
• To work effectively with others, often under stressful conditions;
• To manage a caseload;
• To interview witnesses;
• To negotiate settlements;
• To present and conduct trials;
• To understand and apply policies and practices.

Supplemental Information

• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking.
• The supplemental questionnaire is a scored examination that will determine your ranking on the employment list for this job.
• Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the application review/examination to be placed on an employment list.
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/sbcers/
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/hr/default.aspx?id=11064
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/hr/default.aspx?id=11064