Assistant County Attorney - I (Grade 12), II (Grade 14), III (Grade 16)

Aitkin County • Aitkin, MN

13h • Onsite

About The Position

This position assists the County Attorney in the evaluation, preparation, and presentation of cases for civil or criminal prosecution in District Court. It also involves providing legal advice and assistance to various County officials and agencies. Employees work under general supervision, with some instruction on details but freedom to develop their own work sequences within established procedures. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to periodic checks. There is no formal supervisory authority for the Assistant County Attorney I, but Assistant County Attorneys II and III directly supervise assigned support staff and carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws. This includes planning, assigning, directing work, appraising performance, addressing complaints, training, rewarding employees, and in collaboration with Human Resources, interviewing, hiring, implementing performance improvement plans, disciplining, and resolving grievances.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree
• Minnesota Attorney License issued by the Minnesota Supreme Court
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license
• Employment reference checks and a criminal background check will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.
• All attorneys in the County Attorney's Office rotate weekend and holiday on-call duties.
• Knowledge of duties, powers, limitations, and authority of the office of the County Attorney.
• Knowledge of criminal and civil law, rules of procedure, rules of evidence, and their application.
• Knowledge of principle methods, materials and practices of legal research, investigation, and writing.
• Knowledge of appraisal, interpretation, and application of legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems.
• Knowledge of preparation and presentation necessary to try complex civil or criminal cases and solve complex legal issues.
• Knowledge of county and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
• Skill in effective communication, which will allow for presentation of statements of fact, law and argument clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form.
• Skill in effective legal research, analysis, and application of the law.
• Skill in communicating with and relating calmly, logically and sensitively to crime victims, law enforcement, other attorneys, court personnel, and county departments.
• Typing skill sufficient to complete 30 net words per minute without errors.
• Reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a variety of forums.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence, case law, statutes and rules and to effectively present legal opinions to other county officials, attorneys, judges and juries.
• Ability to present and argue cases in court, including the ability to deal with unanticipated situations when they arise.
• Ability to negotiate with adverse parties to settle cases in a manner which promotes the interests of justice.
• Ability to work effectively with others and manage time and workload effectively.
• Ability to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary.
• Ability to present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates with respect, honesty, and consideration.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in using County Payroll Software/E-time, Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Jail and/or Dispatch Software, Minnesota County Attorney Practice System (MCAPS), Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS), Westlaw, Windows media system, and Internet.
• Ability to travel periodically for court hearings, trainings, and meetings in and out of Aitkin County.
• Demonstrate competencies: Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, analytical, design, problem solving, project management, technical skills, customer service, interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, teamwork, change management, delegation, leadership, quality management, cost consciousness, diversity, organizational support, judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality, quantity, adaptability, initiative, and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• Five (5) years work experience as an Assistant County Attorney I with successful performance reviews OR five (5) years work experience as an attorney working as full-time prosecution, public defender or other full-time employment as an attorney at a governmental entity in civil or public law (for Assistant County Attorney II).
• Fifteen (15) years work experience as an Assistant County Attorney I with successful performance reviews OR fifteen (15) years work experience as an attorney working as full-time prosecution, public defender or other full-time employment as an attorney at a governmental entity in civil or public law (for Assistant County Attorney III).

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and exercises discretion in criminal investigations, child protection matters, civil commitment screenings, forfeitures, child support, and other matters, identifies appropriate charging or other decisions, recommends appropriate disposition of those matters in accordance with established policies and standards; refers investigations to appropriate agencies as may be required; refers, notifies, consults, advocates, and informs crime victims in accordance with the Victim’s Rights Act.
• Prepares cases for judicial and administrative proceedings or appeals by, including but not limited to, reviewing evidence presented by county agencies, investigating facts, researching law, drafting and editing correspondence, pleadings and other documents, analyzing the opposing position(s), document and record case proceedings for future reference, and writing legal memoranda and briefs.
• Represents the County in assigned criminal or civil cases in court or at other hearings by presenting facts, analyzing and introducing evidence, interpreting information and law as it is conveyed during the proceedings, and revising and adapt the County's legal arguments as necessary. Recommends the disposition of cases to judges, referees, arbitrators and administrative law judges.
• Confers with other staff attorneys and plans trial strategy, analyzes and presents evidence, engages in negotiation of case settlements or other matters of law, and monitors, modifies, and verifies the work of clerical staff in the preparation of legal documents. Supervises the issuance of subpoenas for trial preparation, manages and coordinates the trial process, maintains communication with trial witnesses and victims through pretrial witness interviews, correspondence, and phone calls to convey case status updates and schedule court appearances.
• Coordinates the flow of information between defense attorneys, law enforcement, social services, and other agencies.
• Analyzes legislation, case law, legal publications and other relevant literature in order to maintain accurate, current information on legal developments in all areas of law.
• Counsels, represents and advises law enforcement officers; county officials, departments or agencies; attorneys; corrections workers; and other relevant parties in areas of investigation, trial techniques, criminal and civil law, strategy, and legal issues pertinent to the area of assignment; includes on-call availability after hours or on weekends as assigned to authorize continued detention of suspects, creation of search warrants, and other legal matters as presented.
• Trains law enforcement officers, other agencies, and public organizations regarding legal issues.
• Researches and identifies appellate issues on assigned cases by analyzing the facts and proceedings, reviewing court transcripts, and performing legal research, and drafting legal briefs and presenting oral arguments to the appellate court.
• Composes correspondence and distributes relevant information to law enforcement, defense attorneys, the Court, guardian ad litems, county agencies, victims and other individuals and organizations relating to the status of the case.
• Attends conferences and continuing education courses as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.
• Adheres to collective bargaining agreements, county policies and procedures, and applicable laws, including timely/accurate reporting and consistent/uniform administration of EEO, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation and Return to Work programs, in close collaboration with the Human Resources Department. Completes departmental new hire orientations promptly and staff performance appraisals in accordance with county policy.

Benefits

• On-call availability after hours or on weekends as assigned to authorize continued detention of suspects, creation of search warrants, and other legal matters as presented.
• There is currently no additional compensation, remuneration, or consideration for said additional on-call duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree