Now Hiring Community Outreach Worker II - CARE ACT Proceedings
The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office seeks a Community Outreach Worker, passionate about providing outreach and advocacy for at risk clients as part of the legal defense team. All inquiries and applicant submissions should be emailed to acpdrecruitment@acgov.org. Please include a cover letter and resume. Deadline to apply is January 21, 2025.
Description
The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) ACT was created to prevent psychiatric hospitalizations and incarceration for Californians living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders. The “petitioner” who may be a family member, behavioral health specialist, or first responder, initiates CARE proceedings for a “respondent” who meets specified criteria, by filing a petition with the court to create a voluntary plan that may include treatment, housing resources, and other services. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office represents the respondent in these proceedings.
The Department
The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office provides its clients with comprehensive holistic defense services. Our model of client-centered holistic defense is enhanced by wrap-around services for those subject to criminal, civil commitment, or immigration proceedings. We provide the highest quality of indigent defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of our clients, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all.
The Office is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we deeply value the diversity of our staff. We are committed to building and supporting a culturally diverse workplace, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply.
The Position
A community outreach worker assists individuals experiencing challenges, such as housing, mental health, and medical support. The position requires one-on-one time with individuals to access community resources and support services. To build trust and advocate for the needs of their clients, community outreach workers may draw on their own lived (or professionally equivalent) experiences to meet clients “where they are.”
Community outreach workers will provide field-based work for individuals, many of whom are chronically houseless with substance use and/or health conditions. Through regular engagement and rapport building, outreach workers may act as a liaison between behavioral health agencies, full-service partnerships, and other members of the CARE team. Community outreach workers are expected to accurately document client contacts and outreach efforts, attend and participate in client case conferences, and offer support for the client alongside the attorney at all court hearings.
The Ideal Candidate
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of success in the following areas:- Familiarity with community groups, housing services, mental health supports and social service programs in Alameda County and surrounding areas.
- Competency in culturally responsive approaches when working with families and individuals from diverse backgrounds, interpersonal styles, and abilities.
- Ability to work effectively with a team of other professionals from within the office as well as other agencies.
- Confidence to learn and apply new information quickly, while working independently.
- Effective time management and organizational skills, with the capacity to set priorities, meet deadlines, and shift gears when necessary.
- Strong sense of conflict-resolution skills and ability to maintain a calm demeanor.
- A high degree of personal integrity to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
- Professionalism, courtesy, tact, and empathy.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English is highly desirable, but not required.
Minimum Requirements
EITHER I
Experience:
The equivalent of six (6) months of full-time satisfactory experience in the Community Outreach Worker I in the Alameda County classified service.
OR II
Experience:
The equivalent of two (2) years’ full-time experience working in a community outreach program performing duties, such as: Intake, peer counseling, obtaining personal history data needs, non-clinical assessments, client community health education, program screening, placement, and referral.
Substitution:
The equivalent of an AA degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units) from an accredited college in health services, social science health education or a related field, such as Psychology or Counseling, may be substituted for one (1) year of full-time experience in pattern II above.
License:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License may be required.
Salary and Benefits
$33.47 - $39.86 hourly
$2,510.25 - $2,989.50 biweekly
$65,266.50 - $77,727 annually
Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discounts, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well-being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being
- Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
- Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
- Vision or Vision Reimbursement
- Share the Savings
- Basic Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
- County Allowance Credit
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity & Legal Services
- Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future
- Retirement Plan (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
For your Work/Life Balance
- 12 paid holidays
- Floating Holidays
- Vacation and sick leave accrual
- Vacation purchase program
- Catastrophic Sick Leave
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Guaranteed Ride Home
- Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
- Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
- Child Care Resources
- 1st United Services Credit Union
*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
Now Hiring Civil Paralegal - CARE ACT Proceedings
The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office seeks an experienced, self-driven paralegal to work closely with our attorneys in the zealous representation of our clients in CARE Act Proceedings. All inquiries and applicant submissions should be emailed to acpdrecruitment@acgov.org. Please include a cover letter and resume. Deadline to apply is January 21, 2025.
Description
The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) ACT was created to prevent psychiatric hospitalizations and incarceration for Californians living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders. The “petitioner” who may be a family member, behavioral health specialist, or first responder, initiates CARE proceedings for a “respondent” who meets specified criteria, by filing a petition with the court to create a voluntary plan that may include treatment, housing resources, and other services. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office represents the respondent in these proceedings.
The Department
The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office provides its clients with comprehensive holistic defense services. Our model of client-centered holistic defense is enhanced by wrap-around services for those subject to criminal, civil commitment, or immigration proceedings. We provide the highest quality of indigent defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of our clients, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all.
The Office is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we deeply value the diversity of our staff. We are committed to building and supporting a culturally diverse workplace, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply.
The Position
Under direct supervision of an attorney, paralegals will conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and conduct follow-up client interviews. They will gather, organize, and index legal documents, records, and exhibits. Familiarity with software applications including, Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other legal software is essential. The position requires collection, analysis, and summary of relevant data as well as maintenance of case and file management systems.
The Ideal Candidate
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of success in the following areas:- Knowledge and understanding of legal terminology, familiarity with California codes and regulations, and ability to identify and analyze legal issues.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
- A high degree of personal integrity to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
- Experience maintaining effective relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, interpersonal styles, and abilities.
- Confidence to learn and apply new information quickly, while working independently.
- Effective time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and shift gears when necessary.
- Professionalism, courtesy, tact, and empathy.
Minimum Requirements
EITHER I
Education:
Certification of completion from an American Bar Association certified paralegal program.
OR II
Education:
Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
AND
Experience:
The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, law clerk or attorney in a legal setting.
OR III
Experience:
The equivalent of four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, law clerk or attorney in a legal setting.
License:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License may be required.
Salary and Benefits
$39.56 - $48.58 hourly
$3,164.80 - $3,886.40 biweekly
$82,284.80 - $101,046.40 annually
Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discounts, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well-being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being
- Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
- Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
- Vision or Vision Reimbursement
- Share the Savings
- Basic Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
- County Allowance Credit
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity & Legal Services
- Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future
- Retirement Plan (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
For your Work/Life Balance
- 12 paid holidays
- Floating Holidays
- Vacation and sick leave accrual
- Vacation purchase program
- Catastrophic Sick Leave
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Guaranteed Ride Home
- Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
- Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
- Child Care Resources
- 1st United Services Credit Union
*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
Working for the Alameda County Public Defender's Office
The Public Defender’s practice consists predominantly of litigation and defense of adults and juveniles charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to capital murders. The Office also defends individuals subject to involuntary psychiatric commitments and conservatorships. All Public Defender attorneys rotate through the various assignments available in the office.
The Public Defender employs roughly 110 trial attorneys across our six branch offices in Alameda County.
The Alameda County Public Defender's Office is one of the oldest public defense offices in the United States. Our reputation for exceptional legal representation to indigent clients is due to its historically rigorous professional and ethical standards. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity.
Alameda County is a large, geographically diverse area with a growing population of nearly 1.7 million. The patterns of crime and the community responses to criminal justice issues vary dramatically within the county, which makes Alameda County a fascinating and rewarding place to practice criminal law.
Over the past few years our office has grown to be the preeminent provider of holistic defense in California. Our client-centered practice gives a voice to those whose voices have been silenced by poverty and systems of oppression. We ensure that no one faces the government alone. We protect the wrongfully accused, the homeless, the poor, the unfortunate and the neglected. We fight for those who cannot afford to fight for themselves and we help them navigate a complex and daunting legal system. By fighting for them, we protect the constitutional rights of everyone in our community.
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.