Prosecutions Services Bureau Chief

State of Montana • Helena, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Prosecution Services Bureau provides a broad range of professional legal services, including training and trial assistance, research and consultation, to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as authorized by the Attorney General and mandated by law. The Prosecutions Services Bureau Chief is responsible for supervision and management duties of the bureau, including case distribution and supervision of bureau attorneys. The incumbent must work within the management structure of the Division to report and handle bureau, division, and department issues. The incumbent also handles independently all phases of simple and complex criminal prosecutions and related civil cases in justice courts, district courts, and the Montana Supreme Court. This requires factual assessment of the case, legal research and writing, preparation of legal documents, and oral presentation of testimony and argument. The incumbent will work with a team of attorneys and support staff on cases, projects, and training.

Requirements

• Graduation from college and an accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Montana (as certified by the Montana Supreme Court) and hold membership in good standing with the State Bar of Montana OR be licensed to practice law in any state with membership in good standing in that state’s bar association and be able to become licensed to practice law in Montana within an established time period determined at time of hire.
• Four years of experience leading an organization’s legal strategy and handling sensitive or controversial cases.
• Superior knowledge of Montana Rules of Prosecution Procedure, Montana Rules of Evidence, substantive criminal law, involuntary commitment statutes and decisions, child abuse and neglect statutes and decisions, criminal procedure, post-conviction statutes and procedural bars, and state habeas corpus statutes and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of federal rules of evidence, federal rules of civil procedure, federal rules of Prosecution Procedure, federal habeas statutes and rules, and Rules of the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Superior research and writing skills, including citation format.
• Thorough knowledge of word processing software, hardware, and data bases.
• Specialized knowledge in particular areas of the criminal law, including death penalty.
• Superior advocacy skills.
• Advanced organizational and leadership skills, including teaching skills.
• Skills in the use of personal computer and standard office equipment.
• Ability to conduct thorough legal research.
• Ability to mentor and supervise junior attorneys and paralegal staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain a culture of teamwork, professionalism, efficiency, productivity, timeliness, quality, and accountability.
• Ability to assign cases and projects and to track all cases, issues, deadlines, and caseload statistics, utilizing case management software.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with opposing counsel, judges, court personnel, prosecutors, legislators, and citizens.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple demands at the same time.
• Ability to develop legal strategies and to coordinate briefing to maintain consistent and persuasive legal arguments which advance those strategies.
• Ability to provide consistent, high-quality training to prosecutors and judges using Power Point or similar presentation software.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of two years’ supervisory/management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Caseload management, including review of requests for assistance and case files from all 56 counties of state; assigns cases, projects, and training to staff; coordinates work of entire bureau on cases requiring multiple attorneys or staff; assigns cases to attorneys outside the bureau when necessary.
• Supervision of work by attorneys, including monitoring of progress and resolution of cases and issues; assists attorneys and support staff through consultation. And discussion with case work and training.
• Acts as lead counsel, taking time to coach and oversee the work of junior attorneys; evaluates the work of attorneys within the unit; supervises attorneys outside the bureau with regard to bureau cases.
• Budget consideration, including submission of case date, proposals, and projections; review of expenditures; approval of expenditures; work with department budget personnel regarding budget; reviews and approves timekeeping statements of bureau attorneys.
• Consultation with and reporting to immediate supervisor regarding bureau issues, procedures, and training.
• Serve on management team designed to report to and advise attorney general regarding bureau, division, and department issues.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager