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Job Description
Position/Program Information
LAW OFFICES OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
EXAM NUMBER
7-9254A-R
REPOSTING INFORMATION
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS A REPOSTING TO REOPEN THE FILING PERIOD
APPLICATION FILING:
Monday, June 2, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (PT) through Wednesday, June 4 , 2025 BEFORE 5:00 p.m. (PT). Applications received after 5:00 p.m. (PT) will not be accepted.
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT
Open Competitive Job Opportunity
With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation. As the largest employer in Southern California, over 112,000 employees in more than 36 Departments provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities, and many more.
Who we are
The Los Angeles County Office of the Alternate Public Defender is a premiere indigent criminal defense firm of approximately 300 attorneys and staff in over 20 offices throughout the county. Today, the Alternate Public Defender’s Office is the second-largest public defender’s office in the state. We provide the highest quality legal defense for the most vulnerable members of our society and specialize in trying the most serious cases, including the death penalty and homicide cases. We pride ourselves in providing an environment that values teamwork, a sense of family, and diversity.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking highly motivated individuals who share our passion for fighting against injustice and defending the accused. As such, you must be self-motivated, outgoing, passionate, and maintain the highest ethical standards.
Essential Job Functions- Interviews persons seeking legal counsel in criminal matters, determining eligibility, accepting cases and preparing necessary legal documents, and rejecting cases outside the jurisdiction of the Alternate Public Defender.
- Represents the defense in preliminary hearings, interviewing clients and possible defense witnesses, advising clients of the appropriate course of action to be taken in their defense, cross-examining prosecution witnesses, and entering motions for dismissal and bail.
- Represents the defense in the trial of misdemeanor cases.
- Confers with law enforcement and investigation personnel, deputy district attorneys, prosecution witnesses, and other interested parties regarding cases.
- Prepares legal documents such as briefs, complaints and pleadings.
- Prepares and tries the less difficult misdemeanor criminal cases.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:
Admission to practice law in all courts in California.- You must submit proof of meeting the California State Bar requirements:
- A copy of your current/valid California State Bar Card -OR-
- A copy of a letter from the California State Bar that specifically states you have achieved a passing score on the California State Bar Examination AND that you have satisfied ALL of the requirements for admission to practice law at the time of filing. All correspondence must be on the California State Bar letterhead. We will not accept any other form/letter of result notification (e.g., printout from the internet).
- A copy of your current/valid California State Bar Card -OR-
LAW GRADUATES WITH PROVISIONAL LICENSES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EXAMINATION.
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching them to your application or sending them to the exam analyst.
WITHHOLD INFORMATION :
No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required education must be fully met and indicated on the application by the last day of filing.
LICENSE :
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS :
2 - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
Additional Information
OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS :
This exam will consist of a structured interview weighted at 100%, measuring:
- Professional/Technical Knowledge (General Criminal Case & Statutory Law and Constitutional Principles of California Rules of Professional Conduct as they pertain to Criminal Defense),
- Critical Thinking,
- Decision Making Skills,
- Client Focus,
- Influencing,
- Negotiation Skills,
- Oral Communication Skills,
- Listening Skills,
- Fact Finding,
- Relationship Building Skills,
- Ethics & Integrity, and
- Cultural & Individual Sensitivity.
NOTE: All notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application.
Please add the below email addresses to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.- ecervantes@hr.lacounty.gov
- info@governmentjobs.com
- talentcentral@shl.com
- noreply@proctoru.com
- donot-reply@amcatmail.com
If you choose to unsubscribe to electronic notices, you may access your governmentjobs.com profile for a copy of sent electronic notices for this exam.
Transfer of test components- Applicants who have taken identical components recently for other exams may have their responses automatically transferred to this examination.
- This examination contains test components that may be used in the future for new examinations and your test responses may be transferred.
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :
Applications must be filed online only. We must receive your application BEFORE 5:00 p.m., PT, on the last day of filing. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline. You may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
Fill out your application completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the Requirement as listed on this job bulletin. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected.
IMPORTANT: Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from the Class Specification and Minimum requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.
TEST PREPARATION:
Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides will help you prepare for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.- An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/ . Please click on "Find A Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit." Test preparation information is located under the "Employment Test Assistance" section.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION :
The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months.
VACANCY INFORMATION :
The resulting eligible register will be used to fill vacancies with the Law Offices of the Alternate Public Defender.
AVAILABLE SHIFT : Any
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ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI) :
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER :
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES :
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD :
All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record. Access library locations here .
TESTING ACCOMMODATION :
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, that you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.
Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Department Contact Name: Elia Cervantes
Department Contact Phone: 213-441-2090
Department Contact Email: ecervantes @hr.lacounty.gov
Exam Number: 7-9254A-R
For detailed information, please click here
Closing Date/Time: 6/4/2025 5:00 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Los Angeles County
Show moreStart Your Career with Los Angeles County
With a population of more than 10 million people and 88 cities, Los Angeles County has more residents than any county in the nation.
With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation. As the largest employer in Southern California, over 100,000 employees in more than 36 Departments provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.
As one of the Top 10 Government Services Employers, as named by Forbes Magazine, the County of Los Angeles provides those committed to a career in public service with boundless opportunities, a platform for professional and personal growth and the ability to truly make a difference in people's lives.
A career with the County means you will have the chance to be a part of building and providing services for an amazingly diverse population of citizens. From helping families in need to fighting fires to keeping our beaches clean, the County of Los Angeles provides an environment where you can touch and enrich lives everyday.
A career path in the County is truly that – a path. Many of those in our County family begin and end their careers here in two very different places. You may start out as an Administrative Assistant in Public Works and find yourself a few years later as a Manager in the Department of Community and Senior Services. While many County employees remain on the same career path in one department for their entire careers, others move between departments or take advantage of training and other opportunities to find new careers within the County.
The path you take is up to you. As a Los Angeles County employee, the opportunities – and the possibilities - are limitless.
Flexible Work Schedules
Depending on the requirements of their department and position, some employees may have the option to craft a work schedule that accomplishes their mission, while providing flexibility, including 4/40 workweeks and other options.
Your Choice of Locations
From the harbor at Marina del Rey to the forests of the Antelope Valley, big cities, small municipalities and rural communities – there are opportunities to work for the County wherever you roam and wherever you call home.
Job Security
The County of Los Angeles is committed to providing our permanent employees with long-term employment and dependable benefits. It's a lasting career with an employer who is committed to your success.
Career Development
The County encourages all employees to take advantage of the many training and development opportunities available.
Outstanding Benefits
The County offers its employees one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation.
Diversity
Integrity and respect lie at the heart of our Equity Policy and reflect our Mission, Vision, and Values.
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