Criminal Attorney I-IV - County Attorney's Office (0626)

Coconino County•Flagstaff, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is seeking applications for a Deputy Criminal County Attorney position in Flagstaff, Arizona. Salary is commensurate with experience. Advancement in classification is within the discretion of the County Attorney upon attorney performance and experience. The Coconino County Attorney's Office is a public law office in Northern Arizona located in the heart of Flagstaff. We are a team of approximately 20 attorneys and 30 legal staff who are dedicated to the vigorous and fair prosecution of crime throughout Coconino County, protection of the rights of crime victims, and effective legal representation of the County and County special districts. The CCAO is one of largest law offices in Northern Arizona and sets the example at the State and National levels in vision and design for rural attorney offices. Our Mission: “We serve the public by advocating for justice and empowering our community to thrive.” Our Values: Justice: We advocate for fair and equitable outcomes. Service: We value working for something bigger than ourselves. Trust: We inspire confidence with truth, reliability, and respect. Integrity: We honor our commitments, with courage. Connection: We invest in each other and our community. Excellence: We strive to be our best every day. Coconino County (Pop. 145,000) lies in the northern section of Arizona and encompasses a diverse landscape of mountains and high desert, national parks, including the Grand Canyon National Park, and tribal lands of the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, and Navajo Nations. It is the second largest county by area in the continental United States and contains a large part of the Coconino National Forest, the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America. The county seat is Flagstaff, which is nestled against the San Francisco Peaks, the highest elevation in Arizona. Other communities include Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Sedona. At Coconino County, public service matters. Our dedication to public service promotes a culture that elicits employee growth, cultivates inspiration, and creates future leaders by empowering employees to solve internal and external customer needs and exceed customer service expectations. As an award-winning organization with high regard for cultural diversity and the positive contributions of the many thriving cultures within our county, our nation, and our society, Coconino County leads a variety of initiatives that celebrate diversity; from our Annual Diversity Day, and monthly Heritage Lunch & Learns, to book clubs, and professional development academies which target diverse workforce segments. Coconino County's respect for diversity is shared throughout the organization. Be part of this optimistic, innovative team where outstanding customer service creates dynamic solutions and engages leadership at every level. Attorneys perform prosecution functions and civil representation for the County and County Departments, legal representation for clients needing publicly assisted representation in criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency and severance of parental rights cases following appointment by the courts of Coconino County; and perform related duties as required. Advancement in classification is within the discretion of the Department Director based upon attorney performance. The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of Arizona criminal statutory and case law; Superior and Justice Court Criminal Procedures and their application; Rules of evidence; and principles and techniques of legal research. The ideal candidate will have the skills and abilities to analyze and apply legal principles and practices under the supervision and guidance of a lead attorney; prepare, organize, and try misdemeanor cases alone under the guidance of a lead attorney; interview witnesses and complainants; prepare motions, orders, pleadings, and other legal documents; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically, orally, and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff and representatives from outside agencies. This position is ideal for those who have recently received their bar license and are looking to pursue a career as a felony prosecutor. Opportunity may be given to this attorney to second-chair criminal cases depending on the attorney’s experience, performance, and desire to do so.

Requirements

Current active membership in the State Bar of Arizona.
Possession of, or ability to attain, a valid Arizona driver's license.
Attorney I: Entry-level attorney class. Incumbents learn court procedures, office policy and the application of laws and legal procedures; and are assigned to routine cases while gaining experience. Incumbents may assist a more experienced attorney or be assigned a full and separate caseload of cases with a minimum degree of difficulty.
Attorney II: Minimum of one and one-half years of experience required.
Attorney III: Minimum of three years of experience required.
Attorney IV: Minimum of five years of experience required.
Attorney V: Minimum of seven years of experience required.
Knowledge of Arizona criminal statutory and case law
Knowledge of Superior and Justice Court Criminal Procedures and their application
Knowledge of Rules of evidence
Knowledge of principles and techniques of legal research
Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and practices under the supervision and guidance of a lead attorney
Ability to prepare, organize, and try misdemeanor cases alone under the guidance of a lead attorney
Ability to interview witnesses and complainants
Ability to prepare motions, orders, pleadings, and other legal documents
Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically, orally, and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff and representatives from outside agencies
Considerable knowledge of substantive law, rules of evidence, trial and court procedures, legal principles and research methods commensurate with the level of experience of the class
Considerable knowledge of computer applications related to the work
Considerable knowledge of standard legal office practices and procedures
Considerable knowledge of techniques for dealing with individuals of varying races, genders, ethnicity and ages, some of whom may have physical or emotional problems and who appear to be difficult, confused or hostile
Skill in interviewing a variety of individuals and soliciting needed information to determine facts/circumstances
Skill in developing effective strategies for client representation
Skill in analyzing cases and applying legal principles
Skill in presenting statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form
Skill in presenting an effective case in court
Skill in managing an assigned caseload
Skill in preparing clear, concise, accurate and effective legal documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials
Skill in maintaining accurate records and files
Skill in using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines
Skill in communicating logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and departments
Skill in demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy and compassion
Skill in working safely and supporting the culture of workplace safety
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
Skill in working cooperatively with colleagues to accomplish the policies and goals of the office
Public Defender, Legal Defender & Chief Deputy County Attorney positions require a minimum of five years legal experience and two years supervisory experience.

Nice To Haves

Coconino County may consider underfilling an Attorney I with a candidate who is in the process of obtaining their AZ State Bar license. The underfill may be hired at 5% below entry and will have up to 6 months from date of hire to obtain the AZ State Bar license.
Opportunity may be given to this attorney to second-chair criminal cases depending on the attorney’s experience, performance, and desire to do so.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Manages caseloads, which include interviewing and advising clients on their legal rights and obligations
Analyzes case material after investigations; conducts legal research as required
Prepares cases for presentation in court; appears in court and represents clients or the State at court hearings
Prepares and submits legal documents to the courts on behalf of clients or the State
Writes, or word-processes correspondence and reports
Maintains accurate records and files
Perform prosecution functions and civil representation for the County and County Departments
Provide legal representation for clients needing publicly assisted representation in criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency and severance of parental rights cases following appointment by the courts of Coconino County
May serve as acting director in the absence of the director (Legal Defender's Office)
May be assigned responsibility for supervising and leading other attorneys (Attorney V)
Assist in development and implementation of department policies and procedures (Attorney V)