Attorney III (Public Defender)
Salary
$173,721.60 - $208,728.00 Annually
Location
County Administration - 1195 Third Street, Napa, CA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
1038-2026-06-18
Department
Public Defender
Opening Date
07/08/2026
Closing Date
7/29/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The Napa Valley
Napa County is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage.
Located in the heart of Californias preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.
The Napa Valleys strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.
Napa County as an Employer
As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the communitys values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. Learn more HERE.
The Position
The Public Defender provides legal representation for adults and juveniles who are charged with criminal offenses and otherwise unable to afford counsel. The Public Defender also represents those facing involuntary medication, conservatorships, parole and PRCS violations, and MDO, NGI, and SVP commitments. The Public Defender vigorously protects the constitutional rights of the accused.
About the Position:
The Attorney III will have the experience and ability to handle complex felony cases with clients facing potentially lengthy prison exposure and cases that present challenging and complicated legal issues. The Attorney III will demonstrate proven experience as a criminal defense lawyer, a strong understanding of criminal law and legal procedure, excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work under pressure, and experience handling high-profile and complex criminal cases.
Job duties will include:
Experience and Education:
An individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities. A desirable combination is:
Experience: Four years of general legal experience or three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorneys or Public Defenders Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County.
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school.
License or Certificate:*
The list established by this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year.
The Recruitment Process:
Application Deadline5:00 pm PST, Wednesday July 29, 2026Supplemental Question ScoringWeek of August 3, 2026
Supplemental questions will be scored by subject matter experts. Only the most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview. Oral Panel InterviewTentatively scheduled for the week of August 10, 2026
Only the most qualified candidates from the Oral Panel Interview will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.
Example of Duties
View the full job description, including the example of duties, Attorney III
Benefits
Learn more about the benefits package for this position HERE.
Disaster Service Workers:
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code § 31012).
ADA Accommodation:
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.
Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
PUBLIC SERVICES EMPLOYEES BENEFITS INFORMATION
SALARY -
Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFO -
Click here for additional benefits information for Public Services Employees:
THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP POSITIONS
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
PHYSICAL STANDARDS -
Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.
FINGERPRINTING -
All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.
SELECTION PROCESS -
FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.
01
Instructions for Supplemental Application Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best-qualified candidates to continue in the selection process for this position. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions, as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate to your application, your application and or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.
02
The ability to speak Spanish fluently is a highly-desired attribute but not mandatory for candidates applying for this position. If you speak Spanish, please describe your level of fluency (select all that apply.)
03
This position requires current membership in the California Bar Association. Please provide your California Bar number in the space provided. If you are awaiting the results of the Bar exam, please indicate that and the expected date in your response.
04
The Attorney III requires four years of general legal experience or three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorneys or Public Defenders Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County. Please describe your related academic, professional and/or clerkship experience, including the dates during which you've worked in the positions you believe qualify you for this position.
05
Please describe, in general, the types of civil and/or criminal cases you have handled.
06
Please describe your legal research and writing experience, including drafting motions and briefs and litigating legal issues.
07
Please describe your litigation skills and experience doing contested hearings and court or jury trials.
Required Question
Employer County of Napa
Address 1195 Third Street, Suite 110
Napa, California, 94559
Phone 707-253-4303
Website http://www.napacountycareers.com