Career Opportunity

8177-Attorney (Civil/Criminal)

Recruitment: REF27079V

Published: August 07, 2023

Accepting applications until: August 14, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Specific Information Regarding this Recruitment Process

Department: Public Defender's Office- Clean Slate
Job class: 8177- Attorney
Role type: Temporary Exempt What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time

Salary Range: Compensation

This is a Full-Time grant position approved until 6/30/2024.

The Public Defender’s office provides legal representation to persons charged with a crime in San Francisco who do not have the financial means to retain their own counsel. Each year, the office serves approximately 20,000 people. The San Francisco Public Defender’s office is a nationally recognized model of public defense. The Public Defender provides legal staffing for each of the misdemeanor and felony preliminary hearing and trial courts, the Mental Health and Youth Defender Unit divisions, the Community Justice Center, Domestic Violence Court, Behavioral Health Court, Veterans’ Justice Court, Drug Court, Intensive Supervision court, Parole Court, Young Adult Court, and Extradition.

The Crankstart Project is a grant supporting the mission and objectives of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Clean Slate program. The Project is designed to substantially expand program staffing to meet the growing demands of background clearance so clients can get connected to jobs, housing, education and public benefits.

Role description

The primary responsibilities of the Clean Slate Unit attorney include but not limited to:

·       Proficiency in reviewing criminal Rap sheets—SF Local, California CII/statewide, and FBI—with ability to identify appropriate Clean Slate relief for various client contacts and interactions with the criminal justice system;

·       Stellar research and writing abilities to address current complex nature of Clean Slate law, in addition to navigate changing landscape of criminal justice reform legislation directly affecting Clean Slate practice.

·       Negotiate with prosecutor and judge during chamber discussions and effectively litigate and represent Clean Slate clients in the courtroom.

·       Communicating with other agencies such as San Francisco Police Department, California Department of Corrections, Criminal Division of the Superior Court, Office of the City Attorney and Office of the District Attorney;

·       Working closely with Public Defender staff, such as attorneys in the Immigration and Trial Units, investigators, and clerks.

·       Working closely with community justice partners, and periodically provide presentations and facilitate community clinics at designated sights throughout San Francisco.

The attorney will sometimes be required to travel to jail facilities and conduct client interviews, specifically requiring a stellar ability to communicate and interact with challenging clients who may sometimes be psychiatrically impaired. The position also requires an excellent working relationship with community justice partners in order to facilitate community clinics, presentation and outreach activities. This position, while often working independently, will be working with a small collaborative team and keep the team members informed.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Criminal

1. Serves as a counsel to persons charged with the commission of crimes who are financially unable to employ counsel; represents such defendants in criminal court and jury trials.

2. Tries jury and non-jury criminal cases in the Superior Court; interviews witnesses; conducts and or supervises investigations and writes legal briefs in conjunction with as-signed cases and trials.

3. Receives and investigates complaints from the general public and representatives of the police department to determine the necessity for issuing of citations or warrants; inter-views witnesses and issues citations; conducts citation hearings and determines the necessity for issuing warrants.

4. Prepares daily court calendar and maintains various records of warrants and citations issued.

5. Performs other related duties as required.

How to qualify

License and Certification:

Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Cantonese;

·       Experience in conducting legal interviews;

·       Experience in using EXCEL and setting up a database;

·       Experience in reviewing, sorting, and summarizing voluminous court records, police reports and rehabilitation materials submitted by Clean Slate petitioners;

·       Knowledge of statutes dealing with expungement under Penal Code section 1203.4, factual innocence under Penal Code section 851.8, and Vacaturs under Penal Code section 1473.7;

·       Comprehensive knowledge of prosecutorial statute of limitations on felony and misdemeanor arrests;

·       Works Independently but a team player;

·       Ability to provide support in other Collaborative Court programs such as Parole Court, Community Justice Center, Young Adult Court, Drug Court, and Behavioral Health Court.

What else should I know?

HOW TO APPLY:

In addition to the application process, please provide all the following materials by 11:59pm on August 14, 2023 via email to PDR.HR@sfgov.org

Subject: 8177- Attorney- Interested in the Position

a.     A contact list (emails & phone numbers) of 4 professional references (3 supervisors and 1 colleague).

b.     An updated resume

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.