Our office is seeking to fill several positions with the Public Defense Pilot Program, focused on assisting clients with resentencing under Penal Code Sections 1170(d)(1), 1170.95, and 3051. Please read full job descriptions below.

CONTRACT ATTORNEY

The Office of the San Bernardino County Public Defender is currently recruiting qualified candidates to work as contract attorneys on the Public Defense Pilot Program.  These positions offer an exciting opportunity to represent clients with resentencing under Penal Code Sections 1170(d)(1), 1170.95, and 3051. (See BSCC website for information about the Public Defense Pilot Program.)

Public Defense Pilot Program contract attorney duties will include conducting legal research, filing and litigating motions in court, managing client case files, corresponding with clients, participating in an orientation process, and ongoing training.  The positions offer a competitive salary, from $74,672 to $172,993 annually, commensurate with experience.  Additionally, a generous benefit package includes health, dental, vision and life insurance for employees and eligible dependents.  Qualified candidates must be licensed attorneys with the California State Bar in good standing. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit their resume by email to Chief Deputy Public Defender Kellie Byward, kbyward@pd.sbcounty.gov, with the subject line “Public Defense Pilot Program – Contract Attorney.”

PARALEGAL

The Office of the San Bernardino County Public Defender is currently recruiting qualified candidates to work as a paralegal on the Public Defense Pilot Program.  The position offers an exciting opportunity to represent clients with resentencing under Penal Code Sections 1170(d)(1), 1170.95, and 3051. (See BSCC website for information about the Public Defense Pilot Program.)

Public Defense Pilot Program paralegals will support Public Defense Program attorneys and other staff by gathering, organizing, and preparing various documents and for client files, assisting attorneys with preparing and filing legal documents in court, organizing and archiving documents related to client files, and keeping track of changes in legal framework, court dates, and other deadlines related to client representation.  The position offers a competitive salary, from $51,521 to $70,699 annually, commensurate with experience.  Additionally, a generous benefit package includes health, dental, vision and life insurance for employees and eligible dependents. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit their resume by email to Chief Deputy Public Defender Kellie Byward, kbyward@pd.sbcounty.gov, with the subject line “Public Defense Pilot Program – Paralegal.”

MITIGATION SPECIALIST

The Office of the San Bernardino County Public Defender is currently recruiting qualified candidates to work as a Mitigation Specialist on the Public Defense Pilot Program. The position offers an exciting opportunity to represent clients with resentencing under Penal Code Sections 1170(d)(1), 1170.95, and 3051. (See BSCC website for information about the Public Defense Pilot Program.)

Public Defense Pilot Program Mitigation Specialist will utilize their clinical and information gathering skills and knowledge to support Public Defense Program attorneys and other staff. The duties will include conducting biopsychosocial interviews and preparing reports, researching and reviewing relevant mitigation literature, identifying issues related to intellect, mental health, substance abuse and trauma, obtaining and reviewing client historical records, drafting persuasive alternative sentencing reports and plans, identifying appropriate treatment plans, organizing, and preparing various documents and for client files, suggesting appropriate avenues for conducting further investigations into mental health and other mitigation issues, assisting attorneys with preparing and filing legal documents in court, organizing and archiving documents related to client files, and keeping track of changes in legal framework, court dates, and other deadlines related to client representation. 

The position offers a competitive salary, from $70,657 to $97,302 annually, commensurate with experience.  Additionally, a generous benefit package includes health, dental, vision and life insurance for employees and eligible dependents. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit their resume by email to Chief Deputy Public Defender Kellie Byward, kbyward@pd.sbcounty.gov, with the subject line “Public Defense Pilot Program – Mitigation Specialist.”

OFFICE ASSISTANT

The Office of the San Bernardino County Public Defender is currently recruiting qualified candidates to work as Office Assistants on the Public Defense Pilot Program. The position offers an exciting opportunity to represent clients with resentencing under Penal Code Sections 1170(d)(1), 1170.95, and 3051. (See BSCC website for information about the Public Defense Pilot Program.)

Program Office Assistants will provide clerical support to Program attorneys and other staff.  The duties will include creating, maintaining, and uploading information into client files via the department case management system; accurately conducting client conflict checks according to department conflict check policy; assisting in the maintenance and creation of court calendars; timely filing of documents in court; and accurately and promptly taking, recording and conveying messages from clients, client relatives and members of the public.

The ideal candidate will have excellent clerical skills, including but not limited to, typing, experience working with Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, and experience working with other computer software programs. 

The positions offer a competitive salary, from $33,612 to $46,155 annually, commensurate with experience.  Additionally, a generous benefit package includes health, dental, vision and life insurance for employees and eligible dependents. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit their resume by email to Chief Deputy Public Defender Kellie Byward, kbyward@pd.sbcounty.gov, with the subject line “Public Defense Pilot Program – Office Assistant.”