Attorney 4 Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $141,537.76 - $199,066.40 Annually
Location : Santa Maria, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2253-02 (O)
Department: District Attorney
Opening Date: 04/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Notice of change: this recruitment is open until filled.
Deputy District Attorney IV Salary: $141,537.76 - $199,066.40 Annually
We are accepting applications to fill one full-time Deputy District Attorney IV vacancy in the County of Santa Barbara's District Attorney's Office. The current vacancy is located in Santa Maria or Lompoc, California.
We are also establishing one employment list that will be used to fill current and future vacancies in multiple locations (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.) Please select all of the locations you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies.
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 Santa Barbara County District Attorney has offices in three locations in the County: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The office embodies a "team" approach to fighting crime, where 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 the ongoing training and skill development of Deputy District Attorneys 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: Violent Crime, Gangs, Vulnerable Victims, and White Collar Crime.
To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, visit: You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A?si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's must possess strong moral standards and adhere to ethical standards of the California Bar. Specifically, attorneys should be disciplinary-free from Rules 3.8 and 5-110 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor.
The ideal candidate is a highly experienced felony prosecutor capable of managing and trying difficult and sensitive felony cases, which may include homicide, gang violence, major sexual assault, child abuse, and other high-impact crimes. They demonstrate superior trial skills, advanced legal analysis, and the ability to make strategic and ethical decisions in high-stakes situations. In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience working closely with law enforcement agencies and will have good communication and relationship building skills. A DDA IV is respected for their professionalism, judgment, and ability to mentor and support junior attorneys. They contribute significantly to specialized prosecution units, vertical prosecution models, and office-wide initiatives.
Examples of Duties

1. Interviews and advises complainants and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions;
2. Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in prosecuting cases;
3. Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and judgment and prosecutes a variety of cases;
4. Performs related work such as preparing petitions, complaints, reports, and correspondence

Employment Standards
Active membership in the State Bar of California and;

1. Three years of experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or six years as a general practicing attorney; OR,
2. One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney III with Santa Barbara County; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
Knowledge of: the 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: appraise, interpret, and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare, present and conduct trials effectively; perform legal research; work effectively with others.
Supplemental Information
SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required examination supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

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 correspond 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.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of twelve (12) months.
Statement of Commitment: 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 Workers: 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: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, click on Benefits Tab above or In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Open until filled.Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Collin Graham, Recruiter:
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Benefit Allowance paid in cash bi-weekly, which can be used by employees to fund health care costs or used for other purposes. The amount varies by bargaining unit, click the Compensation Summary link below for more information
• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:

*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
01
Please select which one best describes your Driver's License status. Note: You may be required to maintain your California Class C Driver's License during your employment.

• I possess a valid California Class C Driver's License
• I possess a valid Out-of-State Class C Driver's License
• None of the above

02
Please select which work location(s) you are willing to accept current or future employment. The current vacancy is in Santa Maria.

• All locations
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Maria
• Lompoc

03
One of the requirements is having an Active membership in the State Bar of California. You are required to put your Bar License Number and expiration date on your application under Licenses. Please select one of the following statements.

• I have an active membership in the State Bar of California
• I have an active membership out of the State. (Not in California)
• I do not have an active membership

04
You are also required to have three years of experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or six years as a general practicing attorney; OR, one year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney III with Santa Barbara County; OR A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and California State license. Please provide information that supports that you meet one of the requirements listed above.
05
We ask that when answering the following questions that you are honest and truthful. Misrepresentation or falsification of information on an application or on the supplemental is grounds for disqualification and/or termination of employment. The County reserves the right to investigate the accuracy of any information submitted.

• I understand

06
I understand the Civil Service Examination for this recruitment is a Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking and my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job classification. Raters will not have access to any information except what you select in the box below for each question. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: https://www.countyofsb.org/1444/Civil-Service-Rules

• I understand

07
How many felony criminal jury trials have you completed as a Prosecutor?

• 16 or more trials
• 11 - 15 trials
• 6 - 10 trials
• 1 - 5 trials
• None

08
How many misdemeanor criminal jury trials have you completed as a Prosecutor

• 20 or more trials
• 10 - 19 trials
• 1 - 9 trials
• None

09
How many years of experience do you possess as a Lead Prosecutor?

• 6 or more years
• 3 year...