Conditional Hire – Prosecutor I

Maricopa County • Phoenix, AZ

121d • $82,250 - $106,375

About The Position

Ready to begin your legal career? Join us! As a Prosecutor, you will prosecute criminal cases for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and provide competent legal advice and services. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is accepting applications from third-year law students who will take the Arizona bar exam in February 2026 for our Conditional Hire – Prosecutor I position. Applicants hired into this position will be offered a full-time Prosecutor I position conditioned on the following: The applicant is successful on the February 2026 bar exam The applicant is cleared through MCAO’s attorney background process, including drug screen The applicant submits all character and fitness materials to the State Bar of Arizona no later than December 31, 2025 The applicant must achieve an 85 or higher on the MPRE by the time bar results are received MCAO has an available Prosecutor I vacancy at the time the applicant receives an Arizona bar number. Conditional Hires will start working at MCAO as law clerks shortly after the February 2026 bar exam. Law clerks will be compensated at $22.00 per hour paid through a 3rd party employer, and are expected to work a 40-hour work week. After Conditional Hires receive their Arizona State Bar number and are formally placed in a Prosecutor I vacancy, they will be compensated as a Prosecutor I. The starting salary for a new attorney in the Prosecutor I position is $82,250 annually. The full salary range is $82,250 - $106,375 annually.

Requirements

• Demonstrated interest in criminal prosecution during law school through internships, externships, employment, volunteering, or clinical experiences with a criminal prosecution agency
• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Responsibilities

• Discuss and present analyses of legal issues
• Conduct trials, present oral arguments, and cover court
• Interview witnesses regarding facts in the prosecution of cases
• Research and analyze legal issues using both computerized legal research and hard copy tools
• Compose memoranda and pleadings regarding legal issues of concern
• Maintain professional relationships with victims, witnesses, law enforcement agencies, and members of the community
• Negotiate the just resolution of assigned cases and comply with victims' rights

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRHP) for attorneys
• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts
• Defined retirement benefit with a 12% monthly contribution rate and 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree