At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people "I work for the County of Marin." Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

The  Marin County Public Defender's Office strives to provide effective and innovative legal services by protecting the constitutional rights of clients while treating them with respect and encouraging them to lead productive and positive lives. 

There is currently one (1) full time regular hire fixed-term vacancy in the Public Defender's Office. This fixed-term position is approved for two (2) years; however, there may be opportunities for the hired individual during this time-period to move to a regular, ongoing position as other vacancies or promotional opportunities occur, or the position may be funded and convert to an ongoing position. Fixed-term employment ends when the position's funding finishes, or the work is completed. Employees in these positions are exempt from the County's policies regarding lay-off order and reduction-in-force rights.

A Deputy Public Defender III (Immigration Attorney) advises clients and Deputy Public Defenders as to the immigration consequences of criminal charges and assists in developing strategies and negotiating with courts, the District Attorney, and/or other departments. Further, the Immigration Attorney assists other Deputy Public Defenders in mitigating the adverse immigration consequences for noncitizen clients. As an expert in immigration law and how it relates to criminal defense matters, the Immigration Attorney also develops and presents periodic training sessions for our Deputy Public Defenders regarding new rulings and regulatory changes to immigration law.

Required: Written and verbal fluency in both English and Spanish.

Bilingual Testing/Certification: Thesuccessful candidate must have bilingual skills, and they must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to receiving differential pay. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidate possesses the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements.

The Public Defender's Office has embraced a hybrid work schedule that considers that some duties of this position may be performed remotely. However, the successful candidate must be able to report to County facilities for meetings, work assignments, and/or disaster service work upon short notice, as needed and deemed appropriate. During the initial probationary period, the successful candidate may be required to work primarily onsite before establishing a hybrid work schedule.

Our Highly Qualified Candidate: The ideal candidate is a team player with exceptional communication skills who remains calm under pressure in a fast-paced working environment. They are current on immigration law as it relates to criminal cases and have the ability to effectively train criminal defense attorneys regarding this ever-changing area of law. The ideal candidate will collaborate effectively and ethically with everyone in the criminal justice system always keeping our client's best interest in mind. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge of:

• Immigration consequences of California criminal charges and cases
• Principles of criminal, juvenile, and immigration law and aspects of civil law related to Public Defender work including laws and procedures specific to the assignment.
• Trial and hearing procedures, procedure, and substantive law.
• Legal research methods commensurate with the level of experience of the class.
• Standard legal office practices and procedures; and computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Interview a variety of individuals and solicit needed information to determine facts and circumstances.
• Analyze cases and apply legal principles to develop effective defense strategies.
• Present statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
• Prepare clear, concise, accurate and effective legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
• Communicate logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and department while demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy and compassion.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Keep detailed and accurate records; compose and disseminate correspondence as required.
• Prepare and conduct legal trainings on immigration consequences of criminal convictions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience involving legal work as a Deputy Public Defender, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
 
 If assigned as an Immigration Attorney, two (2) years of the experience must have been practicing immigration law, including direct representation of, or consultation with, defense attorneys regarding noncitizens in cases involving criminal matters.
 
 Certificates and Licenses:
 Current active membership in the State Bar of California is required.