Prosecutor

City of Mount Vernon•Mount Vernon, WA

17h

About The Position

Under limited supervision, the Prosecutor provides a full range of legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments, with an emphasis on criminal prosecution. The Prosecutor represents the City in various courts and prosecutes criminal misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and municipal code violations in Municipal Court. Candidates may be hired as Prosecutor I or Prosecutor II based on training and experience. Prosecutor I is listed at $8,286–$10,904 and Prosecutor II at $9,136–$12,022; the posting does not specify the pay period for these amounts. The Prosecutor administers misdemeanor cases from investigation and charging through hearings, trials, sentencing, and appeals. The role also provides legal research, training, and assistance to the Police Department; collaborates on civil code enforcement cases; assists with public safety initiatives; and represents the City in legal and administrative proceedings. Prosecutor II may additionally provide legal assistance with civil lawsuits, including research, briefs, depositions, and courtroom advocacy. The position requires graduation from an ABA-accredited law school, the specified level of motion or trial practice experience (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience), an active Washington State Bar Association license, and a valid Washington State driver’s license. The City describes its workplace as drug-free and smoke-free and identifies itself as an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Prosecutor I: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and one year of motion or trial practice at the Municipal or District Court level, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Prosecutor II: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and three years of motion or trial practice at the Municipal or District Court level, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Active Washington State Bar Association license.
Valid Washington State driver’s license.
Knowledge of applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances; pretrial, trial, and sentencing procedures; criminal law and procedure; legal research; case management; rules of evidence; criminal investigation; appellate law and procedure; and prosecutorial duties and ethics.
Ability to perform trial advocacy; represent the City in court and administrative proceedings; work independently; organize work; communicate complex legal issues; prepare and present bench and jury trials; draft and interpret legal documents; research and analyze legal issues; maintain records and confidentiality; and interact professionally with staff, agencies, and the public.
Ability to handle difficult or emotional matters with sensitivity, discretion, composure, and professionalism, including interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Administer misdemeanor prosecutions, including investigations, arraignments, pretrial hearings and motions, bench and jury trials, sentencing, review hearings, and appeals.
Prepare pleadings and plea offers for misdemeanor cases occurring within the City and resolve cases within office policy guidelines.
Prepare charges and make charging decisions on matters referred by law enforcement.
Follow cases through sentencing and manage criminal appeals.
Provide legal research, training, and assistance to the Police Department on criminal matters, statutory interpretation, enforcement issues, and case decisions.
Prepare prosecution cases by contacting the Police Department, witnesses, victims, and defense attorneys.
Collaborate with City attorneys and civil code enforcement personnel on nuisance claims, zoning violations, building code violations, and life safety claims.
Assist the Public Safety Committee in developing crime-prevention and public-safety ideas.
Contact victims to request subpoenas, gather information, evaluate evidence, determine witness roles, and monitor victim safety.
Present cases in court and argue case facts in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent.
Represent the City in legal and administrative proceedings, provide legal advice, interpret State laws and City ordinances, and assist with preparation and prosecution of City code violations.
Support the relationship between the City and its constituents through courteous and cooperative interactions, and promote City goals and priorities in compliance with policies and procedures.
Perform related duties as assigned.
For Prosecutor II, provide legal assistance with civil lawsuits, including research, preparation of briefs, depositions, and courtroom advocacy.