Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

Job Description

SIGN-ON BONUS: $10,000.00 Sign-on Bonus, subject to all required taxes, withholdings, and the County Policy, to be paid in two payments. 50% of the bonus will be paid on the next regularly scheduled pay date after your first day of employment with Pend Oreille County; the remaining 50% of the bonus will be paid after one year of County service. Restrictions apply.

Benefits include: Subsidized medical insurance for the employee. Optional dental, vision, and medical coverage for dependents. Washington State retirement pension is applicable, plan choices vary. County-paid benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, and 12 Company-paid holidays. Pend Oreille County offers a wide range of optional benefits, we are sure that there is a plan to suit your needs.

JOB SUMMARY:  Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with primary duties representing Pend Oreille County in all civil matters, including but not limited to Public Records Act, contracting and procurement, employment law and land use. Attorney acts under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney.  Attorney may also be called upon to represent the state or county in criminal cases including hearings, trial and appeals on a limited basis.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Civil Functions:

Advise all county boards and commissions on county government civil issues including the Board of County Commissioners Planning Commission, Weed Board, Board of Equalization and Parks Board.
Advise all county elected officials and their departments regarding county government civil issues including: County Commissioners, Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, District Court Judge, Sheriff, Superior Court Judges and Treasurer.
Advise all appointed department heads and their departments regarding county government issues including: Community Development, Risk Manager, Public Works, Human Resources, Juvenile, District Court Probation, Counseling Services, and Information Technology Services.
Actively review and recommend amendments to County resolutions, ordinances and code, and policies and procedures.
Appear for and represent the County in all civil proceedings in which the County may be a party.
Prosecute all civil actions in which the County may be a party, defend all suits brought against the County, and prosecute actions upon forfeited recognizances and bonds and actions for the recovery of debts, fines, penalties, and forfeitures accruing to the County.
Advise and work closely with the Public Records Officer regarding public records requests and responses.
Respond to public disclosure requests made for records of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Represent the Prosecutor’s Office at public meetings and executive sessions, as assigned by the Prosecuting Attorney.
Initiate and process appropriate county civil court actions and appeals on behalf of the county in State and Federal Court and represent the County in all proceedings related to such legal actions.
Appear, represent and defend the County in civil court actions and appeals against the county in State or Federal Court and represent the County in all proceedings related to such lawsuits.
Represent County boards, commissions, elected officials, department heads, and their designees before administrative hearings bodies including, but not limited to the Growth Management Hearings Board, Board of Tax Appeals and Shorelines Hearing Board.
Prosecute the Treasurer’s annual real property tax foreclosure litigation.
Work closely with the Washington Counties Risk Pool, and the County’s insurance providers, and the Risk Manager with respect to claims against the county, risk management policies and litigation.
Research legal issues, draft memoranda and legal briefs.
Prepare cases for litigation.
Represent the County in zoning and land use proceedings.
May litigate bench and jury trials in the District and Superior Courts, and be responsible for commencing, perfecting, pursuing, and responding to appeals.
Present and conduct courtroom proceedings necessary for the hearing of assigned cases.
Determine strategy including organization, timing and order of evidence presentation, appearance of witnesses and related factors.  Ensure Prosecuting Attorney and other concerned parties are informed of case progress and direction.
Conduct legal research and drafting in connection with cases and for other attorneys, as required.
Communicate regularly with County officials and employees.
Exercise discretion and professionalism in working with appointed and elected County officials.
Assist outside counsel as needed.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Assist County in managing risk, complying with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
Keep apprised of changes in statutes, rules and case law that impact the County and its departments.
Exercise independent decision making and time management.
Maintain professionalism in stressful situations.
Carry out all other duties of Deputy Prosecutor as directed and assigned by the Prosecuting Attorney.
Superior Court Functions:

Prepares cases for litigation.
Works with law enforcement to ensure thorough investigation of cases.
Reviews reports for legal sufficiency and determines appropriate charges to be filed.
Handles pretrial hearings such as preliminary appearances, omnibus hearings, bail hearings, suppression and confession hearings, pleas and sentencings.
Prepares and litigates jury trials or bench trials as appropriate; selects juries if applicable; may handle appellate matters arising from such trials or hearings, including appellate brief preparation and argument.
Presents and conducts courtroom proceedings necessary for the hearing of assigned cases.
Determines strategy, including organization, timing and order of evidence presentation, appearance of witnesses and related factors.
Ensures the Prosecuting Attorney and other concerned parties are informed of case progress and direction.
Coordinates with Victim/Witness staff to arrange for the timely appearance of witnesses.
Conducts legal research and drafts memoranda and legal briefs in connection with assigned cases and for other attorneys, as required.
Communicates regularly with state and local agencies.
Advise law enforcement agencies on the legal aspects of specific offenses and on proper arrest, search and seizure and related procedures.
Carry out any or all duties of Deputy Prosecutor as directed and assigned by the Prosecuting Attorney.
Perform any or all other tasks as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of providing legal services to public entities.
Application and interpretation of federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and ordinances as they relate to areas of assignment.
Familiarity with Federal and State laws that govern the County, including but not limited to: Public Records Act, Open Public Meetings Act, Growth Management Act, U.S. and State Constitution, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Labor and Industries’ rules and more.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Elected Officials/Department Heads, staff and the general public; develop teams working cooperatively with Elected Officials/Department Heads.
Collect, organize and analyze data and formulate legal recommendations based upon findings.
Apply judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
Ability to organize and plan multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to make effective presentation of technical, complex and sensitive information.
Write in a clear and concise manner.
Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
Operate a computer and utilize word processing software, legal research software and other software in order to accomplish tasks.
Operate other related office equipment.
Work in a confidential environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  

Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association is required.
Must be a licensed attorney in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, remain active with Washington State Bar annual requirements and maintain a clear criminal record.
Knowledge of civil court procedures, with prior experience with civil and administrative pleadings and procedures.
Three years of progressively responsible Washington municipal law experience as a civil deputy prosecuting attorney, assistant city attorney or private attorney advising municipalities highly preferred.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 18 years or older.
Maintain a valid driver’s license.
Successfully pass driving record check.
Must be a United States citizen.
Must pass a criminal history background check.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL ABILITIES:  Work is performed in an office setting and in court rooms. There is daily use of computers and frequent dealings with other Offices and Departments. Position’s duties are performed with frequent interruptions and deadlines. Position may be required to attend professional conferences and meetings outside of the office setting. The workday is Monday through Friday 8am – 4:30pm. Travel within the County is possible. The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak, and lift up to 50 lbs. of unequal weight. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Because of the nature of this position, duties must be performed during regular hours within the department (no telecommuting).

** Have some questions? Send us an email at HR@pendoreille.gov. **