Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

10d

About The Position

The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, is seeking an entry-level and/or experienced Deputy Prosecuting Attorney committed to professionalism, integrity, and public service. The role supports the office’s mission to pursue justice, protect the community, and serve victims with fairness and compassion. Depending on qualifications, the attorney may prosecute cases in District Court, Juvenile Court, and/or Superior Court. Under general supervision, the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney performs professional legal work consistent with the constitutional and statutory duties of the Prosecuting Attorney. Work includes legal research and analysis, preparing or reviewing documents, and prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of Thurston County or the State of Washington. Attorneys exercise considerable legal discretion and work with minimal supervision. They are appointed by and represent the elected Prosecuting Attorney, and are expected to uphold high ethical standards, their oath of office, and the office’s core values. The position generally works indoors, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Workload may require work outside those hours, and the position may be designated essential personnel during emergencies. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or client meetings. The role may involve occasional exposure to hostile or irate individuals, people with violent backgrounds, and crime scenes. Physical activities include frequent keyboarding, occasional prolonged standing or sitting, travel between courtrooms and other locations, reaching, fine manipulation, and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds. The office emphasizes excellence in public service, justice, public safety, trusted legal counsel, teamwork, inclusion, and community partnership. The position is represented by a union, eligible for benefits, and not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The listed salary is $6,825 to $13,188 per month.

Requirements

Graduate from a recognized and accredited school of law.
Be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
Have basic knowledge of Washington State law, the rules and procedures of county, state, and federal courts and administrative agencies, and basic litigation and trial techniques.
Ability to conduct legal research and analyze and apply rules, statutes, legal principles, and precedents to facts.
Ability to provide client advice and formulate arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Ability to work harmoniously with County officials and court personnel and maintain good public relations.

Nice To Haves

Solid understanding of Washington State law, criminal procedure, and rules of evidence.
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical reasoning abilities.
Ability to evaluate cases, apply statutes and case law, and make appropriate charging and disposition decisions.
Proficiency drafting clear and persuasive motions, memoranda, and trial materials.
Confidence and professionalism in courtroom presentation and oral advocacy.
Ability to examine witnesses, argue motions, and conduct bench or jury trials.
Skill in plea negotiations, case preparation, and presentation of evidence.
Willingness to develop advocacy skills through mentorship, feedback, and courtroom experience.
Commitment to ethical prosecution and pursuing justice rather than convictions.
Ability to exercise sound discretion, fairness, and transparency in decision-making.
Respect for the rights of victims, defendants, and the broader community.
Clear, professional, and respectful written and verbal communication.
Ability to work effectively with law enforcement, defense counsel, victims, court personnel, and office colleagues.
Professional demeanor under pressure and in high-stakes environments.
Empathy and sensitivity when interacting with victims and witnesses.
Ability to manage a high-volume caseload accurately and efficiently.
Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple deadlines.
Self-motivation, organization, and responsiveness in a fast-paced team environment.
Dedication to justice, public safety, and the fair administration of law.
Understanding of the diverse communities served by Thurston County and willingness to approach the work with cultural awareness and respect.
Interest in ongoing professional growth, training, and community engagement.
Proficiency with case management and digital evidence systems.
Competence with Microsoft Office Suite, legal research tools such as LexisNexis, and electronic filing and case management systems.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate evidence in criminal referrals from law enforcement and determine whether charges should be initiated under office policy, ethical rules, and state law.
Manage and prosecute cases, including legal research, document preparation, motion advocacy, plea negotiations and agreements, change-of-plea hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings.
Handle cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies in District Court, Superior Court, or other courts as assigned.
Advise law enforcement on ongoing criminal investigations and assist with applications for search warrants, subpoenas, and other investigatory judicial orders.
Attend crime scenes when needed to understand the scene and provide on-scene advice to investigators.
Prepare charged cases for trial, including interviewing witnesses, examining physical evidence, developing trial strategy, filing motions and responding to defense motions, and preparing trial memoranda and exhibits.
Present evidence and conduct trial advocacy on behalf of Thurston County or the State of Washington.
Handle criminal appeals as assigned, including legal research, brief writing, and oral argument in state or federal appellate courts.
Provide training presentations to office attorneys and staff, law enforcement officers, or legal professionals from other organizations.
May lead or supervise other attorneys or legal support staff.
Represent the elected Prosecuting Attorney and conduct work in accordance with the office’s ethical standards and core values.

Benefits

Retirement plan
Pre-tax savings accounts
Comprehensive health care
Dental and vision care for employees and their families
Paid vacation for full-time regular employees
Paid holidays
County-paid training
Flexible work schedules, including possible alternative or compressed schedules and remote working
Three voluntary deferred compensation plans
Flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for qualifying full-time public service employees