Public Defender Attorney I/II/III

The Napa Valley

Internationally known for its fine wines exciting restaurants and world-class resorts, is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage. Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities. The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.

Napa County as an Employer

As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. Learn more HERE.

The Position

This recruitment is being conducted to fill one (1) full-time vacancy for the position of Attorney, which may be filled at the I, II, or III level depending on qualifications, for the Office of the Public Defender at Napa County. The list established by this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year.

Salary & Benefits

• Attorney I: $55.73 (Step 1) - $66.73 (Step 5)
• Attorney II: $67.56 (Step 1) - $81.07 (Step 5)
• Attorney III: $80.70 (Step 1) - $96.96 (Step 5)
• View Summary of Benefits HERE.
• 3.5% COLA increase effective 7/01/2026
  
  

About the Position:

The Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation for adults and juveniles who are charged with criminal offenses and otherwise unable to afford counsel. The Public Defender also represents those facing involuntary medication, conservatorships, parole and PRCS violations, and MDO, NGI, and SVP commitments. The Public Defender vigorously protects the constitutional rights of the accused.

The Public Defender Attorney will perform civil and criminal legal work involved in the prosecution of criminal cases, litigate paternity and child support cases, and provide legal defense of indigents and other eligibles. The difference in levels depends on the amount and type of experience. Those beginning at the Attorney I level will perform the less difficult cases and assignments while learning their respective duties and responsibilities. As experience, knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired and utilized, the degree and complexity of assignments will correspondingly increase to the Attorney II level. The Attorney III level will handle the more difficult and complex assignments.

Examples Of Duties May Include

• Interview applicants for public defense and determine eligibility.
• Advise clients on legal rights.
• Appear with and for defendants at all court hearings.
• Decide on and make appropriate legal motions and pleas, and other legal action on behalf of client.
• Represent alleged mentally ill, drug addicted, and other applicants for public defense before and during hearing for commitment.
• Order investigations and subpoenas.
• May defend indigent defendants in civil litigations to the extent required by law.
• Dictate correspondence and prepare reports.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Additionally, an attorney may be responsible for "specialty areas"; such as, paternity and child support, consumer fraud, planning and zoning violations, environmental cases, and violations of the Fair Political Practices Act. These are areas which can be consolidated for countywide prosecution, and which demand a uniform and consistent approach.
  
  

Position Requirements:

Required

To qualify for the Attorney I/II/III classification(s) , an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities. A desirable combination is:

• Experience:
• Attorney I: None required.
• Attorney II: Three years of general legal experience, or two years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's Office or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney I equivalent in Napa County.
• Attorney III: Four years of general legal experience or three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school.
• License or Certificate:* Active membership in the California State Bar Association; possession of a valid California Driver's License.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

The Recruitment & Selection Process : Online Application DeadlineBy 5:00 pm PST on Friday, October 10, 2025Application ScreeningBy Friday, October 10, 2025Supplemental Question ScoringTentatively the week of October 13, 2025

Supplemental questions will be scored by subject matter experts. Only the most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Exam (Panel Interview).

Oral Exam (Panel Interview) Tentatively the week of October 27, 2025Establish Eligibility ListTentatively the week of October 27, 2025

Only the most qualified candidates from the oral examination (panel exam) will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.

Example of Duties

View the full job description, including the example of duties, for the following classifications below:

• Attorney I
• Attorney II
• Attorney III
  
  

Disaster Service Workers:

Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code

• 31012).
  
  

ADA Accommodation

Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.

Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Services Employees Benefits Information

SALARY -

Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.

Additional Benefits Info -

Click here for additional benefits information for Public Services Employees:

https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/25886/Benefits-Summary---Public-Service-Employee-PSE

These Benefits Do Not Apply To Extra Help Positions

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

PHYSICAL STANDARDS -

Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

FINGERPRINTING -

All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.

SELECTION PROCESS -

FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.

01

Instructions for Supplemental Application Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best-qualified candidates to continue in the selection process for this position. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions, as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate to your application, your application and or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

If selected for this position, a medical screening may be required as part of the pre-employment process. I have read and understand this requirement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

The ability to speak Spanish fluently is a highly-desired attribute but not mandatory for candidates applying for this position. If you speak Spanish, please describe your level of fluency (select all that apply.)

• Speak
• Read
• Write
• I am not bilingual (Spanish)
  
  

04

This position requires current membership in the California Bar Association. Please provide your California Bar number in the space provided. If you are awaiting the results of the Bar exam, please indicate that and the expected date in your response.

05

Please select the level that best reflects your experience.

• Attorney I - No experience is required.
• Attorney II - Requires three years of general legal experience, or two years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's Office or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney I equivalent in Napa County.
• Attorney III - Requires four years of general legal experience or three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County.
  
  

06

Please describe your professional experience that aligns with the Attorney experience requirements you selected in the previous question. In your answer, please also include your experience drafting motions and briefs.

07

The education requirement is graduation from an accredited law school. What academic, professional, and/or clerkship experience do you possess which relates to your ability to serve as a Public Defender Attorney?

08

Please describe your litigation skills and experience doing contested hearings and court or jury trials.

09

Please describe the types of civil and/or criminal cases you have handled.

• Required Question