Deputy District Attorney I

Deputy District Attorney I

Salary

$7,417.58 - $9,981.81 Monthly

Location

Bend, OR

Job Type

Regular, full time, full benefits

Job Number

2026-00081

Department

District Attorneys Office

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Bargaining Unit

DCDAA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office to seek justice, advance public safety and uphold the law. We strive to maintain public trust and serve the people of Deschutes County with fairness, integrity and honor.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The District Attorney's Office represents the State of Oregon in all criminal cases filed in Deschutes County. Representation includes enforcing the laws of the State of Oregon, protecting the innocent, ensuring the guilty are held accountable, and advocating for victims of crime to be heard and respected in the process. The District Attorney and a team of Deputy District Attorneys are responsible for evaluating the investigative reports submitted by local, state and federal agencies and determining whether justice and public safety require prosecution. If the Office initiates prosecution, the attorneys are then responsible for presenting evidence to and advising the Grand Jury, and representing the State at every stage of the criminal proceeding in Circuit Court thereafter. The Office can also decide to defer certain cases out of the traditional criminal justice system into alternative diversion programs that maintain community safety and improve offender and victim outcomes.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you'll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:

A Deputy District Attorney is appointed by the District Attorney to represent the State of Oregon by upholding State and Federal law through the review, preparation, and prosecution of criminal cases in Deschutes County. Deputy District Attorneys are assigned to perform some or all functions of the District Attorneys Office, such as criminal case intake, guidance to law enforcement, appearances before the grand jury, circuit and juvenile courts, and serve in other areas as directed.

The position is to perform professional legal work in an assigned area. A Deputy District Attorney is responsible for the analysis, preparation, negotiation and litigation of a full range of criminal cases. The position works under the direction of the District Attorney, Chief Deputy District Attorney and Supervisory Deputy District Attorneys who assign work, review performance and provide consultation on cases. The incumbent is expected to comply with all legal practices and standards, as well as office policy.

Supervision is not a responsibility of this position.

This position is located in Deschutes County and may be eligible for hybrid of in-office/remote work as allowed by policy and approved by the supervisor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Examines incoming investigation reports to determine whether further investigation is needed or whether criminal charges should be issued through reviewing and analyzing evidence, police reports and related documents.
• Appears in court for arraignments, release hearings, plea appearances, trials, sentencing hearings and other proceedings that the court may schedule. Must be prepared to advocate or respond to opposing counsel and to inform the court of the States position on the matter, as well as supporting or contrary authority.
• Negotiates potential case resolutions with defense counsel/defendants as appropriate, in accordance with the pertinent facts, law and office policy.

What You Will Bring:

Knowledge of or experience with:

• Criminal law and the practices and procedures of criminal prosecution, legal research methods, and applicable rules, codes and regulations for area of assignment.
• Courtroom and trial procedures.
• Legal research methods.

Skill in:

• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing and work with minimum supervision, using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, community partners and agencies at all times.
• Analyzing and interpreting data using accepted legal research procedures and methods. Ability to present effectively before the court and to work with a high degree of independence.
• This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the positions scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE. Additional information regarding the District Attorneys Office and the position can be found by clicking HERE.

Compensation

$7,417.58 to $9,981.81 per month for a 172.67 hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

This position may also be eligible for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) on June 22, 2026, pending budget adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.

BENEFITS:

Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $100 per month for employee only or $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

This position is re-opened until filled.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree required; this serves as an entry level position.
• Must be licensed by the Oregon State Bar to practice law in the State at time of hire, remain active with all State Bar annual requirements.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon drivers license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable drivers license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

CJIS certification from the State of Oregon are required within six months of hire.

Must pass a pre-qualifying driving record review and criminal history background.

Background Investigation.

A successful candidate will complete a full background investigation prior to receiving a conditional job offer.

Deschutes County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and represents the diverse voices and needs of our communities. All are encouraged to apply - we welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.

If you are a veteran and would like to apply for Veterans Preference, please click HERE for information.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.

Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

When Are you Eligible:

If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes Countys generous benefit offerings, please visit our Benefits page and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.

01

Have you, or will you have graduated from an accredited school of law by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

02

Must be a member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar or have the ability to become a member of the Oregon State Bar by hire date. Please check the box that represents your current status.

• I am a member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar.
• I have the ability to become a member of the Oregon State Bar by hire date.

03

Read this statement then answer questions 3 - 5 A prosecutor should be the leading voice for community safety. One way to keep a community safe is to hold offenders accountable when they commit crimes, and our office does this. Another way for a prosecutor to keep a community safe is to work with the community to prevent crime in the first place. Please discuss the ways in which a prosecutor can best enhance public safety.

04

Please provide one specific example of how you applied your philosophy in your work.

05

Please describe a time where your involvement in a case required you to depart from your philosophy. What circumstances required you to alter your approach to the case? How did you respond? Were you satisfied with the outcome?

06

What is justice?

07

How do you balance the sometimes competing interests of suspects and victims of crime?

08

This position requires the ability to obtain a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification within six months of hire. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you able to meet the requirements of the position with or without accommodation?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Deschutes County Human Resources

Address 1300 NW Wall Street Suite 201

Bend, Oregon, 97703

Phone (541) 388-6553

Website https://www.deschutes.org/jobs