Jobs

Now Hiring an Executive Assistant to the Public Defender

THE POSITION

The Executive Assistant to the Public Defender ("Administrative Legal Secretary" in the Alameda County HR system) play's a crucial role in supporting our Office's mission of zealously protecting and defending the rights of our clients. This position provides the full range of administrative legal office support services to the Public Defender. The duties performed are of considerable variety, highly confidential, complex, and require independent judgment; require preparing time-sensitive, confidential, legal documents; and performs other assigned duties as required. This person will also serve as the liaison between the Public Defender and any entities needing to work with the Public Defender. 

Examples of duties include but are not limited to:

• Compose correspondence based on brief instructions, ensuring discretion and accuracy.
• Draft complex legal and management documents.
• Review documents for accuracy and proper format.
• Manage complex calendars.
• Handle administrative tasks, follow up on projects, and transmit information.
• Assist with preparing the annual budget presentation.
• Screen calls and visitors, provide information, and forward complaints appropriately.
• Compile narrative and visual reports.
• Organize and maintain administrative, legal, and reference files.
• Develop and update workflow procedures and manuals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Civil Legal Secretary in the Alameda Office of the County Counsel.

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time increasingly responsible clerical experience providing office and administrative support in a public or private agency law office. (Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of the required experience.)


Special Requirements:

Must be able to type into a word processor at a minimum of 40 words per minute from clear copy.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate is an experienced administrative professional with a strong background in supporting busy executives. This person will have advanced skills in drafting professional documents, including legal and business communications, and be proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is confident working independently and who is able to exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. They will possess knowledge of standard office practices, and be able to manage complex calendars, prepare clear and comprehensive reports, and handle confidential information with discretion. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are essential. This individual must also demonstrate the ability to problem-solve, abstract information, and manage many tasks and projects with competing deadlines, all while maintaining a high level of professionalism and tact.

To read more about this position and to apply, click here or visit acgov.org/hrs and look for the "Adminsitrative Legal Secretary" position.

Legal Position Descriptions

Entry Level Attorney Positions

Appointments to all vacant Associate Deputy Public Defender positions are made by the Public Defender from a civil service hiring list prepared after an examination coordinated by the Alameda County Human Resources Department. The HR Department receives applications during an open period of 25 days. Applications for Associate Deputy Public Defender are generally accepted once a year, from mid-November to mid-December following the summer bar exam results.

All Associate Deputy Public Defenders initially work in a branch office where they are assigned cases of increasing difficulty. By the end of the third year most lawyers are assigned their first felony jury trial case load. After demonstrating proficiency in the trial of felony cases, Associate Deputy Public Defenders are promoted to the position of Deputy Public Defender. The Office provides ongoing in-house training for all attorneys; the Alameda County Public Defender is approved as a provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) by the State Bar of California.

Click here to view the Associate Deputy Public Defender Job Description and to sign up to be notified when the position opens.

Deputy Public Defender Positions

The Deputy Public Defender position is the general litigation attorney position in the Public Defender’s Office. By the assignment of the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defenders are the attorneys for defendants in criminal and juvenile cases, and represent litigants in certain civil proceedings, as appointed to or accepted by the Public Defender. Deputy Public Defenders must be in good standing with the State Bar of California and have a valid California motor vehicle operator’s license, and should have experience in the practice of criminal law and demonstrated competence in the handling of all phases of felony cases, including substantial felony trial experience. Substantial felony trial experience is deemed to include the trial to verdict of at least three felonies for which the possible penalty exceeds seven years.

The Office provides ongoing in-house training for all attorneys; the Alameda County Public Defender is approved as a provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) by the State Bar of California.

Appointments to all vacant Deputy Public Defender positions are made by the Public Defender from a Civil Service hiring list promulgated after an examination coordinated by the Alameda County Personnel Department.

Click here to view the Deputy Public Defender Job Description and to sign up to be notified when the position opens.

Post-Bar Legal Assistants

Post-Bar Legal Assistants perform legal research and writing, conduct client intake interviews, litigate motions, conduct evidentiary hearings and assist attorneys in case preparation for trial or disposition. All legal assistants are compensated and must be certified under the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students by the State Bar of California or admitted to the State Bar. Applications for post-bar legal assistants are accepted year-round but the recruitment period generally lasts from July to November. All inquiries should be directed to the Public Defender Recruitment Officer at acpdrecruitment@acgov.org. Please include a cover letter, resume and writing sample.

Law Clerk Positions

The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office offers law students the opportunity to gain the traditional experience in research and writing, as well as practical “hands on” experience of assisting Public Defenders in court. In general, law clerks perform legal research and writing, conduct client intake interviews, litigate motions, conduct evidentiary hearings and assist attorneys in case preparation for trial or disposition. All law clerk work is done under the supervision of a senior Public Defender attorney. Law students who are exploring a career in criminal defense work will find their experiences with the Alameda County Public Defender an invaluable step in their career development.

We encourage 1L, 2L, and 3L students to apply and we accept interns on a year-round basis. We encourage law students seeking this position to complete courses in Criminal Procedure and Evidence. For some positions, law students must be eligible for certification under the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students by the State Bar of California. If your school does not provide funding to you, we can provide funding to law clerks working full-time during the summer. While applications are accepted continuously, the bulk are received during On-Campus Interviews in the fall. All inquiries should be directed to the Public Defender Recruitment Officer at acpdrecruitment@acgov.org. Please include a cover letter, resume and writing sample.