Posting number: 26-2250-03 (O)
Department: District Attorney
Job classification: Deputy District Attorney I
Posting type: Open
Categories: Legal, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Professional, Paraprofessional, Attorney, Criminology
SALARY: $105,464.32 - $127,019.36 Annually
HIRING INCENTIVE: The District Attorney's Office may offer a discretionary hiring incentive for select critical and hard-to-fill positions. Incentives, when approved, may be up to $20,000 and are determined on a case-by-case basis based on recruitment needs, qualifications of the applicant, and other relevant factors. Hiring incentives are not guaranteed and are subject to County approval.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office currently has multiple Deputy District Attorney I vacancies located throughout the County of Santa Barbara.
We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please select all locations you are willing to accept initial employment for current and future vacancies. Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a team approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case.
The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime. In addition, specialty courts such as DUI Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Restorative Justice Court, and Veterans' Treatment Court allow for collaboration between Deputy District Attorneys and other Court staff in an effort to improve the success rate of rehabilitation for criminal defendants in addition to reducing crime.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is committed to mentorship, professional development, ethical prosecution, innovation, and a collaborative team environment.
To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, visit: https://da.countyofsb.org/. You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A-si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni
Under general supervision, to perform a variety of criminal and civil investigations, trial preparations, and prosecutions; perform related work as required. Deputy District Attorney I/II/III/IV/Senior is a flexibly staffed series.
Deputy District Attorney I is the entry level class in this professional series in which incumbents receive orientation and training and are expected to progress to the experienced Deputy District Attorney II level within a reasonable length of time. Deputy District Attorney I may be required to mentor and train Deputy District Attorney Externs and/or new Deputy District Attorneys.
Active membership in the State Bar of California and completion of the core courses required for a law degree.
Applicants who have taken the State Bar exam and are pending results may apply and participate in the selection process but must obtain an active membership in the State Bar of California at the time of appointment.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
Knowledge of: the principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence.
Ability to: perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form; work effectively with others.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verifications of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this position (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.
To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 and supporting materials to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the Application & Selection process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
Background Investigation Process: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete an in-depth background investigation. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment may bar employment.
The background check may include:
The background investigation may take up to 4-6 weeks.
Probationary Period: The appointee must satisfactorily complete a 12-month probationary period.
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here: https://www.countyofsb.org/3084/Deputy-District-Attorneys-Association
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 10/09/2026 at 4:59 PM. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst: erkuhn@countyofsb.org
Santa Barbara County is located approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles and 300 miles south of
San Francisco. Eight incorporated cities are located within the County: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Solvang, and Buellton.
The largest employment categories include services, wholesale and retail trade, public administration, and manufacturing. The mild climate, picturesque coastline, scenic mountains, and numerous parks and beaches make the County a popular tourist and recreational area.
