Senior Deputy District Attorney

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 2025

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVERS LICENCE

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE BAR

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: JULY 21, 2025, AT 5:00 P.M.

SALARY INFORMATION

$11,101 - $14,169 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $64.04 - $81.75 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The District Attorney’s Office is comprised of three main units: The Prosecution Unit, the Bureau of Investigations, and the Crime Victims Assistance Center.

The District Attorney acts as the public prosecutor for all crimes committed in Shasta County. The Prosecution Unit evaluates all reported crimes to determine if sufficient evidence exists to prosecute individuals for felony and misdemeanor offenses. In those cases where the prosecution unit finds sufficient evidence, a criminal prosecution is undertaken.

The District Attorney is empowered to conduct independent investigations. The investigators employed by the District Attorney are sworn peace officers who work in the Bureau of Investigations.

The Crime Victims Assistance Center (CVAC) meets the needs of victims in our community through collaborative services provided with courteous, efficient professionalism. The goal is to graciously serve our community members by assisting and advocating for safety, healing, justice and restitution. CVAC provides support and resources to people in our community who have been victimized. The criminal justice process is often confusing and overwhelming and our CVAC unit helps victims navigate the process.

The office is also supported by a Fiscal team, in-house IT department, Community Education team, and administrative professionals. These hard-working individuals ensure efficient operations throughout the department and provide support for their specific units.

Learn more about the District Attorney’s office:

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under direction, to assist the District Attorney in the prosecution of criminal cases; to provide assistance and lead direction to other attorneys; to prosecute homicide cases; and to perform related work as required. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents at this level perform specialized legal work in criminal matters which is the most complex and sensitive in nature.  This class differs from the Deputy District Attorney III in that incumbents provide lead direction and training to the less experienced deputies, oversee a major functional unit, prosecute homicide cases, or supervise the activities of less experienced attorneys.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Prosecutes the most serious and sensitive cases, including death penalty cases; receives requests for complaints filed by arresting officers and determines the nature of the crime and whether the evidence justifies prosecution; tries both court and jury trials in all courts, including juvenile court; prepares briefs and legal opinions; conducts legal research; prepares correspondence and memos; provides administrative supervision over a major functional unit such as Superior Court trials, complaints and preliminary hearings, misdemeanor trials or narcotics; acts at the lead attorney in serious cases that require two attorneys; provides training and direction and, in some cases, supervision to other attorneys.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following: 

Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices; principles of criminal or civil law (when applicable) and its application; provisions of the Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Health and Safety Code, the Welfare and Institutions Code and the Civil Code (as required); trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; legal research methods; principles of supervision and training. 

Ability to: Successfully prosecute serious criminal cases;  perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to complex legal problems; present law, facts, evidence and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; effectively represent the District Attorney's office in legal proceedings and hearings; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; supervise or provide lead direction to staff, including deputy district attorneys; direct a major functional unit. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER

One (1) year of experience comparable to a Deputy District Attorney III with Shasta County.

OR

Four (4) years of experience in the practice of criminal law within the State of California, including at least one (1) year of which must have been in a District Attorney's office. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Active membership in the California State Bar.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

1. I have an active membership in the California State Bar? Yes/No
2. If yes to supplemental question # 1, list your California State Bar Number. If No, type “n/a”.
3. I possess a California driver’s license. Yes/No
4. Do you have one (1) years’ experience comparable to a Deputy District Attorney III with Shasta County? Yes/No
5. Do you have four years of experience in the practice of criminal or family law within the State of California, including at least one year of which must have been in a district attorney's or public defender's office. Yes/No
6. Describe the 5 most significant cases of your career.  Indicate why they are the most significant.  Did they go through jury trial, if so, what was the outcome?
7. How many total jury trials have you conducted?  Include the types of cases. In none, please type "n/a". 
8. List all caseload assignments you have been assigned.  Include number of years in each assignment, caseload you handled and any related work you did (outreach, training, collaborative teams, etc.).
9. Describe any supervisory or management experience you have. Include length of time, number of individuals you supervised/managed, and responsibilities of that position. If none, please type "n/a".
10. Describe any community involvement you participate in whether related or unrelated to your profession.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle and feel; talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, and crouch.  The employee must be able to walk and transport case files to and from court.   The employee is required to possess sufficient stamina to conduct long trials and hearings.

 The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

 The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. 
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – MMBU.  

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 5:00 p.m., on July 21, 2025. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at  www.ShastaCountyCareers.comor submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.