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

Showing results 21-22

County Public Defender information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$29.2K

$112.2K

$192.5K

How much do county public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for county public defender in Riverside, CA is $112,186.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,700.00 and $139,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a county public defender do?

A County Public Defender is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney in criminal cases. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that defendants receive fair legal representation and that their rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process. Public defenders handle a range of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and may also assist with appeals and juvenile matters. They work within the local county jurisdiction and often manage large caseloads, advocating for their clients in court and negotiating with prosecutors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a county public defender?

To thrive as a County Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and strong legal research, litigation, and criminal defense skills. Familiarity with case management software, legal research databases, and courtroom technology is typically required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and empathy are critical soft skills for effectively representing clients and managing high caseloads. These skills and qualities ensure effective advocacy, uphold clients' rights, and maintain justice within the legal system.

What are some typical challenges faced by county public defenders in balancing caseloads and providing effective representation?

County Public Defenders often manage high caseloads, which can make it challenging to devote sufficient time to each client. Balancing the demands of court appearances, case preparation, and client communication requires strong organizational skills and resilience. Despite these challenges, public defenders play a crucial role in ensuring fair legal representation for all, often working closely with investigators, social workers, and other attorneys. Supportive team environments and ongoing training can help public defenders navigate these demands and continue to grow professionally.

What is the difference between County Public Defender vs County Assistant Public Defender?

AspectCounty Public DefenderCounty Assistant Public Defender
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law license, relevant legal experienceSame as Public Defender, often with less experience
Work EnvironmentHandles complex cases, manages caseloads, supervises staffAssists Public Defender, handles assigned cases, supports team
Employer & IndustryCounty government, criminal defenseCounty government, criminal defense

The County Public Defender is the lead attorney responsible for managing the public defense office and handling complex cases, while the County Assistant Public Defender supports the Public Defender, manages assigned cases, and assists in case preparation. Both roles require similar credentials and work within the same government and industry environment, but differ in responsibilities and seniority.

What are popular job titles related to County Public Defender jobs in Riverside, CA?

For County Public Defender jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching County Public Defender jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for County Public Defender jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for County Public Defender jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most County Public Defender job openings:

$89K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

These District Ranger positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.
Forr additional questions aboutt the duties of these positions, refer to the Additional Information Section for names and email addresses for points of contact by Region.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:
  • Represented an organizational unit for the purpose of discussing agency policies and regulations with the general public, representatives from local, county, State, Federal and Tribal governments, permittees, industry, special interest groups, or other partners;
  • Developed annual program of work, prepared project work plans, developed long- and short-term budget needs, set priorities and documented work progress and accountability for assigned programs;
  • Planned, implemented, and administered a natural resources program (e.g., timber management program) for a unit that included developing staffing, budget and equipment needs for program/project accomplishment;
  • Provided advice, technical support, and evaluation of proposed and on-going natural resource programs to higher-level officials.

For the GS-13 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:
  • Provided counsel to higher organizational levels concerning natural resource program issues and their current and anticipated effects;
  • Exercised program responsibilities that included one or more of the following: program development, planning, budgeting, or identifying workforce and organizational needs to establish and meet priorities;
  • Interacted with members of the general public, representatives from local, county, State, Federal and Tribal governments, permittees, industry, special interest groups, and other partners to discuss, explain, or defend natural resource management policies and regulations;
  • Administered a natural resource program (e.g. timber management) for a unit that included development of staffing, budget and equipment needs, and implementation to meet program/project accomplishments.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.Education:There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.Employment Type: OTHER