District Attorney Post-Bar Law Clerk (Law Clerk II)

County of Riverside California

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside Office of the District Attorney is currently recruiting post-bar law clerks (Law Clerk II) for the Spring and Fall of 2024, with the possibility for applicants to ultimately become entry-level prosecutors upon successfully passing the California Bar Exam in 2024. Incumbents will perform legal research and provide legal assistance in support of licensed attorneys, and perform other related duties as required.

Positions are available throughout the Riverside County, with special consideration being given to filling priority vacancies in the Coachella Valley Office and the Colorado River Office. Incumbents in this position are expected to work approximately a 40-hour work week.

This position is primarily open to current students who are currently in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program, current students in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program; or individuals who have recently graduated from an accredited JD or LLM program and are expecting to take the California State Bar Exam for the first time in either February or July of 2024, or are awaiting results. Certified post-bar law clerks must be eligible to obtain a Certificate for Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) from the California State Bar, allowing them to make appearances in court under the supervision of a Deputy District Attorney. 

Depending on the area of assignment, the Law Clerk II is a natural progression underfill for the classifications of Deputy District Attorney I. Incumbents are expected to promote to the Deputy District Attorney I after obtaining the necessary requirements. Failure to promote will result in incumbents being returned to their former County classification or new hires being released prior to the end of their probationary period.

Meet the Team!

The District Attorney of Riverside County, as the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the People, vigorously enforces the law, pursues the truth, protects those victimized by crime, exonerates the innocent, and safeguards the rights of all to ensure that justice is done on behalf of our community. The office’s staff of over 700 is comprised of prosecuting attorneys, sworn investigators, victim-witness advocates, paralegals, investigative technicians, forensic analysts, and a wide range of information technology and supporting staff all committed to excellence and integrity in public service. We are, and we seek to maintain, a diverse workforce to match a diverse county.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

  • Perform legal research in the preparation of legal briefs, opinions, and similar documents.
  • Prepare drafts and legal memoranda summarizing studies of court decisions, state statutes, County Ordinances, and legal opinions, review pleadings, deeds, and contracts.
  • Review documentary evidence and prepare opinions; prepare correspondence and reports.
  • Assist with case preparation including, but not limited to witness contact, victim contact, evidence preparation.
  • Attend and appear on the record in court.
  • Prepare motions; work in the case management system; and assist with other case-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

All applicants must attach a current resume to their application for consideration. 

Option I

Education: Current students in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program, current students in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program, or individuals who have recently graduated from an accredited JD or LLM program; and are expecting to take the California State Bar Exam for the first time in either February or July of 2024, or are awaiting results.

Certificate: Must be eligible to obtain a Certificate for Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) from the California Board of Bar Examiners.

Option II

Education: Current students in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program, current students in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program, or individuals who have recently graduated from an accredited JD or LLM program; and are expecting to take the California State Bar Exam in either February or July of 2024, or are awaiting results.

Experience: Previous intern or Law Clerk with the County of Riverside Office of the District Attorney.

Other Requirements

License: Must be eligible to obtain a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge of: Principles of civil and criminal law and their application; legal research methods and techniques; preparation of briefs and opinions; resources available in a law library; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; county government functions and legal responsibilities.

Ability to: Perform legal research; analyze legal problems; prepare drafts of legal documents; present states of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; work cooperatively with others.

Desired Experience, Knowledge, AbilitiesKnowledge of discovery obligations as a prosecutor and the process of obtaining and disclosing discovery in a timely manner; ability to prepare and organize extensive legal discovery, evidence, and exhibits to be presented in court; ability and skill to prepare and conduct preliminary hearings; ability and skill to present misdemeanor trials to a jury or judge and argue contested motions; ability to devise trial strategy, recognize factual, ethical, and legal issues in a case; ability to negotiate with defense attorneys regarding the disposition and modification of charges in a case.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference 

The County has a Veteran's Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here (Download PDF reader).

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/.

What's Next?

This recruitment is open to all applicants. Based on the number of applications received, this posting may close without notice. Applications will be considered based on the information submitted. Include relevant work experience details on resume and/or application. No late applications will be permitted, and changes or alterations cannot be accepted.

General Information

For more information regarding this position, please contact the recruiter, Stephanie Rodriguez, at (951) 955-5776 or via email at sterodriguez@rivco.org. 

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the Government Jobs Applicant Support desk Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com. A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here.

MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

  • Tier I (Classic Member – Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
  • Tier II (Classic Member – Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
  • Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

  1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
  2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
  3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,

Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)

4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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