Deputy District Attorney IV

Deputy District Attorney IV

Salary

$145,558.40 - $201,406.40 Annually

Location

Orange County

Job Type

Various

Job Number

2336AY-0626-026 (O)

Department

District Attorney

Opening Date

06/22/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Deputy District Attorney IV

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidates qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59p.m. (P.T.) on the day the Countys needs are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an Open Eligible List to fill current and future Regular, Limited-Term and Extra-Help Deputy District Attorney IV vacancies.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES

The County of Orange provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of the employee total compensation.

Click here to find out more about employee benefits.

RETIREMENT RECIPROCITY

Current employed members of accepted reciprocal systems who were in those retirement systems prior to January 1, 2013, and who have not retired from those systems, may be eligible for previous OCERS formula of 2.7% at age 55.

For more information, please call (714) 558-6200 or visit www.ocers.org

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

The County of Orange, District Attorney (OCDA) represents the People of the State of California in all criminal and civil proceedings, serves the court and criminal justice system, and the Orange County Grand Jury. The mission of the Office is to enhance public safety and welfare and create a sense of security in the community through the vigorous enforcement of criminal and civil laws in a just, honest, efficient, and ethical manner. The Office consists of three major divisions: Legal, Investigative Bureau, and Administration.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. The assignment may be in our Felony units throughout the office or at any of our various locations or units based on the Departments needs. This is an in-person assignment, and the duties cannot be performed remotely/virtually.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess experience with at least fifteen (15) or more felony trials.

The ideal candidate will also possess:

• Thorough knowledge of substantive and procedural criminal law
• Over three (3) years of experience as an attorney in the practice of criminal law
• Significant felony trial experience
• Excellent oral advocacy skills including the ability to concisely, effectively communicate arguments.
• The ability to analyze, organize, file, evaluate, and try complex and serious cases
• The ability to perform complex and difficult legal research and effectively present and argue the prosecutions position orally and in writing
• The ability to work effectively with District Attorney staff, members of the bench and bar, law enforcement personnel and members of the public

LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Active membership in the State Bar of California

OR

Members in good standing of California State Bar and have been assigned a license number, but have inactive membership status are also welcome to apply. An active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the State of California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.

And

Possession of a California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation to carry out the essential functions of the job.

BACKGROUND SCREENING

Candidates under consideration for hire by the District Attorney will be required to pass an extensive investigation to the satisfaction of the department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Deputy Attorney IV classification as well as the physical and mental requirements, and environmental conditions.

Note: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition. The recruitment process will consist of the following assessments, which will require a few months to complete.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%)

Applicants will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicants rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicants qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Departments needs, the recruitment process listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the recruitment process.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sam Apraku at Sam.Apraku@ocdistrictattorney.gov or (714) 347-4547.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits

In addition to the Countys standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.

http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

01

Are you a fully licensed, current member of the California State Bar?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "Yes" to Question 1, please state your California Bar Number and Admission Date below. If you have been admitted to any other state bar(s), please also list the state, date of admission, bar number and current status. (Please use the following format MM/DD/YYYY).

03

If you answered "No" to Question 1, please check one of the following options that applies to your current status:

Note: an active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the State of California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.

• California State Bar member in good standing, assigned a license number, but inactive membership
• N/A - fully licensed, current member of California State Bar

04

Possession of a California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation to carry out the essential functions of the job is a requirement for this position.

• Yes, I understand

05

How many years of experience do you possess as an attorney in the practice of criminal, governmental civil, or child support enforcement law?

• Six (6) or more years
• Five (5) or more years but less than six (6) years
• Four (4) or more years but less than five (5) years
• Three (3) or more years but less than four (4) years
• Less than three (3) years
• No experience

06

Please identify the total number of felony cases you have tried to verdict as a prosecutor and/or as a criminal defense attorney.

• Twenty (20) or more felony trials
• Fifteen (15) or more felony trials but less than twenty (20) felony trials
• One (1) or more felony trials but less than fifteen (15) felony trials
• No felony trial experience

07

List all the felony criminal trials you have conducted with the following information (if court trial-please indicate):

• The case name, court case number, and court where the case was tried
• A brief description of facts (e.g., People v. ABC, three defendant robbery of a liquor store)
• For each case, identify whether you were the prosecutor or defense attorney.
• Trial results/verdicts

If you do not have experience, please enter "N/A".

08

Please describe any other felony work which demonstrates your ability to handle complex and difficult assignments, cases or issues (e.g., noteworthy motions, appellate work, significant cases ending before trial, specialized training that you conducted, parole hearings, etc.). If you do not have experience, please enter "N/A".

09

Please articulate any other reasons or accomplishments (e.g., awards, commendation, etc.) that should be considered with your application for a Deputy District Attorney IV position.

Required Question

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov