Deputy District Attorney II
Salary
$111,993.44 - $135,037.76 Annually
Location
Santa Maria, CA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
26-2251-02 (O)
Department
District Attorney
Opening Date
04/28/2026
Closing Date
5/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
SALARY
$111,993.44 - $135,037.76 Annually
The County of Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office is accepting applications to fill a full-time Deputy District Attorney II vacancy. The current opening may be assigned in Lompoc or Santa Maria with future vacancies possible in Santa Barbara.
We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please be sure to select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands.
The Position: Under general direction, a Deputy District Attorney II performs a range of legal duties, including case investigation, trial preparation, and prosecution of misdemeanor and felony cases. Attorneys are expected to manage caseloads and develop trial skills across all court levels. Deputy District Attorney IIs may also assist in mentoring law clerks, post-bar fellows, and entry-level attorneys.
About the Department: The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys 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, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim-Witness Assistance staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, 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 including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime. In addition, specialty courts such as DUI Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Restorative Justice Court, and Veterans Treatment Court allow for collaboration between Deputy District Attorneys and other Court staff in an effort to improve the success rate of rehabilitation for criminal defendants in addition to reducing crime.
To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office, visit: https://da.countyofsb.org/. You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A?si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal Deputy District Attorney II is a developing career prosecutor who has demonstrated the ability to independently manage misdemeanor caseloads and handle early-level felony assignments. They should be comfortable conducting preliminary hearings, motion hearings, and jury trials. The ideal candidate possesses strong legal research and writing skills; communicates effectively with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement; and demonstrates sound judgment. They are organized, proactive, and willing to seek out mentorship and training. A DDA II works well in a team environment, is receptive to feedback, and shows initiative in building the courtroom and case-handling skills necessary to progress to more serious felony work.
Examples of Duties
Employment Standards
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY II:
Active membership in the State Bar of California; with completion of the core courses required for a law degree; AND:
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
Knowledge of: the principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law.
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.
Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorneys 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.
Supplemental Information
SELECTION PROCESS:
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 require verification 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, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, 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.
BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, click on Benefits Tab above or HERE.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
Disaster Service Worker: 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.
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.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 4:59 PM; Postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Collin Graham Recruiter: cgraham@countyofsb.org
Retirement Plans
Health Benefits
Paid Time Off
Miscellaneous Benefits
Compensation Summary
01
The current vacancy is located in Santa Maria. However, all candidates hired can be placed at any location and transferred to another location during your employment with the County. Please be sure to select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. Note - travel to all of these locations may be required depending on the business needs of the department.
02
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.
03
You are also required to meet one of the following requirements: One year of experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or two years as a general practicing attorney; OR, One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy District Attorney I 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 how you meet one of these requirements listed above.
04
The following questions are a CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION that will determine your ranking on the employment list. Please read and answer them carefully. I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be SCORED and used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: http://www.countyofsb.org/hr/civil-service-rules/rule-six.sbc#six-612?
05
How many felony criminal jury trials have you completed as a Prosecutor?
06
How many misdemeanor criminal jury trials have you completed as a Prosecutor?
07
How many preliminary hearings have you completed as a Prosecutor?
08
Please select all areas in which you have conducted legal research and prepared legal pleadings as a Prosecutor or legal intern:
09
Have you provided training or mentorship to newer Deputy District Attorneys, legal interns, or externs?
Required Question
Employer County of Santa Barbara
Address 1226 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, California, 93101