What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy District Attorney I Trainee position at Stanislaus County?
ABOUT THE COUNTY
Stanislaus County is located in Central California within 90 minutes of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Silicon Valley, Sacramento, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and California’s Central Coast. With an estimated 552,999 people calling this area home, the community reflects a region rich in diversity with a strong sense of community. Two of California’s major north-south transportation routes (Interstate 5 and Highway 99) intersect the area and the County has quickly become one of the dominant logistics center locations on the west coast.
The County is home to a vibrant arts community with the world-class Gallo Center for the Arts, a symphony orchestra, and abundant visual and performing arts. Stanislaus County is a global center for agribusiness, positioned by its mild Mediterranean climate, rich soils and progressive farming practices. The area is recognized internationally for agricultural innovation with wine, almonds, poultry, milk, cattle, and walnuts being some of the featured industries. The County is also home to California State University Stanislaus, Modesto Junior College and benefits from satellite locations of other high-quality educational institutions. The County was established in 1854 and has a total land area of 1,515 square miles. Temperatures range from an average low of 43 degrees in the winter, to an average high of 92 degrees in the summer. Temperatures move up into the high 90’s during the summer months with low humidity and cool evening breezes from the San Joaquin Delta
The County is home to a vibrant arts community with the world-class Gallo Center for the Arts, a symphony orchestra, and abundant visual and performing arts. Stanislaus County is a global center for agribusiness, positioned by its mild Mediterranean climate, rich soils and progressive farming practices. The area is recognized internationally for agricultural innovation with wine, almonds, poultry, milk, cattle, and walnuts being some of the featured industries. The County is also home to California State University Stanislaus, Modesto Junior College and benefits from satellite locations of other high-quality educational institutions. The County was established in 1854 and has a total land area of 1,515 square miles. Temperatures range from an average low of 43 degrees in the winter, to an average high of 92 degrees in the summer. Temperatures move up into the high 90’s during the summer months with low humidity and cool evening breezes from the San Joaquin Delta
To learn more about the District Attorney's Office, visit: https://www.stanislaus-da.org
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: July 27, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of August 10, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of August 10, 2026
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Stanislaus County District Attorney is seeking qualified law school students for the position of Deputy District Attorney I Trainee. Applicants must possess a certification to provide legal services from the State Bar of California to qualify for this position. As a member of our prosecution team, the candidate in this position could be assigned to a variety of cases including driving under the influence, domestic violence, illegal drug possession, theft, weapons charges, prostitution, and more. Candidates could also assist in all phases of prosecution including discovery, law and motion, settlement offers, trial preparation, and pleas. Attorney trainees could also interview witnesses and examine, evaluate and present evidence while prosecuting misdemeanor Cases. The candidate will work with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, paralegals and clerical support staff.
The ideal candidate will be a team-player who has a demonstrated passion for seeking and pursuing justice on behalf of victims of crime. We are seeking professionals with excellent analytical, research, written communication and oral skills. Attorney trainees will be given serious consideration for open Deputy District Attorney positions upon membership in the California State Bar.
The ideal candidate will be a team-player who has a demonstrated passion for seeking and pursuing justice on behalf of victims of crime. We are seeking professionals with excellent analytical, research, written communication and oral skills. Attorney trainees will be given serious consideration for open Deputy District Attorney positions upon membership in the California State Bar.
ABOUT THE TRAINEE DESIGNATION
Note: Attorney I Trainees earn 15% less than the first step of the Attorney I series.
- Trainees are part of the unclassified service of the County;
- All trainees will be appointed to the first step of the salary range for the appropriate position, and will be compensated 15% below the range established for the Attorney I classification involved;
- Trainee appointments are not to last longer than one year. However, appointments can be extended up to a maximum of two years in cases where minimum qualifications are involved; and
- Upon completion of the training period and the acquisition of minimum qualifications, the individual may be upgraded to a probationary appointment at step 1 of the Attorney I salary range (an approximate 15% increase in salary).
Incumbents at this level will work under the direction of a Chief Deputy District Attorney. Formal training will be provided prior to prosecuting criminal matters.
Under the supervision of a Deputy District Attorney, incumbents will perform case work that requires basic legal knowledge within the areas of criminal law and procedures. Incumbents will typically be assigned work related to misdemeanor cases, including but not limited to law and motions, case review and trial preparation
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Legal research and writing
- Criminal and civil law procedure
- Rules of evidence
- Trial principles
- Charging statues and language
- Sentences and probation parameters
- Office procedures and practices
- Rules of court
- Prepare and present statements of facts, law and arguments clearly and logically inwritten and oral form
- Evaluate facts and evidence
- Accept and learn from criticism
- Communicate effectively
- Produce research and writing
- Accurately document actions
- Work with others in a team environment
- Public speaking and argument
- Write clearly and concisely
- Argue clearly and logically
- Basic computer skills to function effectively in an automated environment
We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
EDUCATION/ENROLLMENT/EXPERIENCE
Must be either:
- Current Law School graduate actively awaiting California State Bar Exam results, or awaiting to take the California State Bar Exam, OR
- Current enrollment in an ABA-accredited or California State Bar–accredited law school, with maintenance of good academic standing throughout the appointment; AND
California State Bar Law Clerk Eligibility
- Must be eligible for certification as a Certified Law Clerk in accordance with California Rules of Court, Rule 9.42, including the ability to obtain and maintain such certification during employment; AND
Legal Coursework
- Must have successful completion of core legal coursework, including legal research and writing and other foundational law courses sufficient to perform supervised legal work assignments.
This is a Veterans’ Preference Program eligible job classification. For more information, please click here.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualification. Please list any of the desirables you may have within the “Duties” section of the online application.
- For Attorney I Trainee: Three to six months employment or volunteer work in a District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, or experience working in criminal law or prosecution.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
- Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
- Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
- Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
- Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION
Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the County Attorney's Association (CAA) bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.
Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.
Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS
Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
- Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
- Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
- Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.
APPLICATION AND/OR EXAMINATION APPEAL RIGHTS
Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.
DISCLAIMER
Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.
Salary : $91,770 - $111,550