Public Defender Interviewer I

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Public Defender’s Office. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.
Current vacancy is with the Public Defender’s Office located in Porterville or Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Typical Duties

• Interview clients to obtain details of arrest, connection with charged offenses and other information pertinent to development of the defense case.
• Identify, analyze, and evaluate each variation of fact and substantiate pertinent information.
• Determine relationship of various parties to current case and prior cases to determine if a legal conflict exists.
• Communicate with management staff regarding potential conflict issues.
• Advise clients concerning rights and responsibilities associated with interview process.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here .

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the 12 th grade supplemented by course work in criminal justice, para legalism, psychology, or closely related field.

Experience:

• Three years of experience involving frequent communications with members of the public in a legal setting and/or analyzing, organizing, and documenting data for services offered by public agencies.

Equivalency for Experience:

• Two years of college course work in criminal justice, para legalism, psychology, or closely related field may be substituted for the experience requirement.

Knowledge of:

• Interviewing techniques.
• Report writing.
• Record keeping principles.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Collect information, organize material, and analyze relationships among a variety of collected data.
• Assist with gathering verifications on information obtained from clients.
• Write clear, concise, and grammatically correct narratives, reports, records, and correspondence.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Read and understand complex material such as laws, codes, and legal documents.
• Adjust to changes in workload, priorities, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, other agencies, and departments.
• Coordinate work with others.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of;

• Court proceedings, elements of misdemeanor or felony offenses, legal defenses, pleading, pretrial motions, diversions, priors and attacks on priors, and sentencing.

Skill/Ability to:

• Speak, read, and write in Spanish.
  
• Prepare interview summaries.
• Organize and analyze data.
• Recognize legal issues sufficient to alert attorneys for appropriate action.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 3

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: 1/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• County of Tulare - HR&D

• 559-636-4900

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