County Public Defender Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $95,742.40 - $131,747.20 Annually
Location : Throughout San Bernardino County, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-13186PD-01
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 03/11/2026
The Job
SALARY INCREASES
Employees are eligible for merit-based step increases within the salary range, up to the maximum step. Refer to the Exempt Employee Ordinance for details.
STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
San Bernardino County employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more details/application information, review here.
The San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office is seeking a Licensed Mental Health Program Manager to oversee the Mental Health Diversion Program under the California Mental Health Diversion Law (PC 1001.36). The role of the Program Manager would entail overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of mental health services for Public Defender clients. In this role, the Program Manager would facilitate multidisciplinary meetings, evaluate program effectiveness, ensure treatment plans are created in a timely manner, and create client-centered strategies that support a fluid transition from custody into mental health services for those participating in the Mental Health Diversion Program.
Additionally, the Program Manager will directly supervise the Clinical Therapist and provide clinical supervision hours for the Social Service Practitioner Unit. Furthermore, the Program Manager will conduct Mental Health Diversion Program clinical evaluations in determining whether the client meets the criteria under the Mental Health Diversion Law and will testify on their findings if needed.
For more information, refer to the job description.
About The Public Defender's Office
The Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County is a county department that is staffed with attorneys licensed by the State Bar of California. The attorneys who handle cases in court are called Deputy Public Defenders. In addition to attorneys, the Public Defender employs Investigators to fully investigate cases handled by the Department. The Department also has a unit of social service practitioners and support staff to ensure the best holistic representation for clients.
The Public Defender will be appointed to represent any criminal or civil commitment defendant who cannot afford to hire an attorney, unless the office has a legal conflict of interest with that defendant's case. The Public Defender represents adults and juveniles charged with misdemeanor or felony crimes, and individuals facing involuntary civil commitment for mental disorders or commitment under the Sexually Violent Predator statute.
The Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County is a leader in innovation, developing and implementing programs to operate more efficiently and improving individual lives. Using a holistic approach, the Public Defender seeks to increase client opportunities for achieving self-sufficiency. In addition to providing legal defense, our agency also seeks to arrange client access to social service programs and assistance with receiving alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and counseling for mental health issues.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Background: A background investigation will be conducted, including a DOJ/FBI fingerprint check and drug screening.
License: A valid California Clinical Social Worker license must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
Certification: California Board of Behavioral Science Supervision Training certification must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
Travel: Travel throughout the County may be required and employees will be required to make provisions for such transportation.
Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS
To review job-specific benefits, refer to:
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The County also offers an alternative Modified Benefits Option (MBO) that provides a wage differential.
Minimum Requirements
License: California Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Certification: California Board of Behavioral Science Supervision Training certification.
Experience: Three (3) years of professional-level administrative and/or clinical experience within a mental health program (mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment program) or a forensic justice involved program. Experience must include responsibility in one or more of the following areas: development of programs, policies and procedures; compliance/quality management; data/legislative analysis; monitoring contracts; or budget/fiscal administration. Experience must also include managing crisis situations in the field and working in a co-located setting. Clerical and/or routine accounting experience is not considered qualifying. You must attach a copy of your California Clinical Social Worker license and proof of completion of a Supervision Training Course approved by the California Board of Behavioral Science to your application.
Selection Process
Application Procedure: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire as soon as possible. This is a continuous recruitment that may close with or without notice. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.
There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the application and supplemental questionnaire. It is to your advantage to be explicit in your responses on the application and supplemental questionnaire.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via e-mail. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from e-mail addresses with the following domain "@hr.county.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment.
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application.
If you require technical assistance, please review the , or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.
EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is anand Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.
ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the
Please review for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process
Management Unit
San Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
Please review the appropriate * for more information
Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the for more detailed information.
*Retirement benefits subject to change.
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Instructions: There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on your application and responses to the supplemental questions. Be sure to include job title, employer, and dates of employment when responding to the questions below (do not refer to resume). Experience listed should be included in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE: This position requires applicants to be licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in California. Are you a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California (LSCW)?

• Yes, I am licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in California.
• No, I am not licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in California.

03
LICENSURE: Please indicate your California Clinical Social Worker number. If you are not licensed in California, please indicate N/A.
04
POST LICENSED EXPERIENCE: Please indicate how much post-licensed clinical therapist experience you have attained within the last five years. Qualifying experience must be clearly detailed in the work experience section of your application

• I have two (2) or more years of post-licensed clinical therapist experience.
• I have less than two (2) years of post-licensed clinical therapist experience.

05
SUPERVISION TRAINING COURSE: Did you remember to attach the mandatory supervision training course certificate required by the California Board of Behavioral Science?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please indicate the date the course was completed and if you completed the initial fifteen (15) hour training or the six (6) hour refresher course. If you have not completed the course, indicate, "N/A".
07
CLINICAL SUPERVISION: Have you provided clinical supervision for at least two (2) years within the last five (5) years?

• Yes, I have provided clinical supervision for at least two (2) years within the last five (5) years
• No, I have not provided clinical supervision for at least two (2) years within the last five (5) years.

08
If you answered "yes" to the question above, please provide the following: Name of the employer(s) where clinical supervision was provided, dates of clinical supervision, how many registered associates, including disciplines, supervised for licensure and gained experience, and how many student interns, including disciplines, you have supervised. If you do not possess clinical supervision experience, indicate, "N/A".
09
LEAD WORK/CLINICAL SUPERVISION: Describe your experience where you worked as an ongoing or occasional clinical supervisor or lead worker; include the number of people supervised and their job titles. Describe your scope of responsibility for hiring, training, assigning and reviewing work; evaluating employees and providing input on disciplinary issues; acting as a resource on clinical issues; providing administrative supervision; leading a special assignment; and report writing. Be sure to specify if experience was a daily responsibility or an occasional duty. If you do not possess this type of experience, indicate "N/A."
10
DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES: Describe your experience providing direct clinical services, including case management, for adults, children, and youth involved in the justice system. Please include the name of the employer where you gained such experience. This experience should be included in your work history in your application. If you do not possess any related experience, indicate "N/A".
11
COLLABORATION: Describe your experience collaborating with other agencies on shared projects and provide specific examples of such work. If you do not possess this type of experience, indicate "N/A."
12
FORENSIC: Describe your experience working with the forensic justice involved population (e.g. probationers, parolees or offenders recently released from a correctional setting). Be sure to reference the employer and the dates of employment where the experience was gained. If you do not possess this type of experience, indicate "N/A."
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Applicant Acknowledgement - Notification via email: As part of our efforts to increase efficiency and promote conservation of resources, Human Resources uses email to communicate with applicants. Therefore, all future communications regarding this recruitment, including applicant status and testing notifications, will be made via email. Each applicant needs their own email address. We strongly encourage you, as an applicant, to ensure that the email address you have provided us with your application is current, secure, confidential, and readily accessible to you. Adjust Spam and/or other filters so that our emails are accepted. Please carefully read any notices that we send you and follow any instructions provided in a timely manner. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails (i.e., for the non-delivery of our emails or if you fail to check your e-mail on a timely basis).

• I acknowledge that I have read, u