Section Chief - Juvenile Unit

Johnson County Kansas•Olathe, KS

1d•$127,061 - $190,381

About The Position

Johnson County Government’s District Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced, highly motivated attorney to lead its Juvenile Unit. The Section Chief oversees the prosecution of juvenile offender and Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases, provides legal guidance and supervision to attorneys and support staff, and ensures the unit operates effectively and efficiently. The role works collaboratively with law enforcement, the judiciary, community partners, and other stakeholders, and helps develop and implement policies and procedures supporting the District Attorney’s Office mission. The position requires extensive legal expertise, sound judgment, strong leadership, and a commitment to public service. The Section Chief supervises legal professionals, including recruitment support, goal-setting, performance monitoring, professional development, case distribution and coverage, evaluations, coaching, and resolution of legal, procedural, and personnel matters. The role also contributes to organizational strategy and resource planning and may represent Kansas beyond the 10th Judicial District, handle appellate work, and propose legislation at the District Attorney’s request and with approval. The starting salary is $131,000 annually, commensurate with experience. The role requires maintaining continuing legal education and includes 24/7 on-call availability for the team and the assigned area. Additional hours may be required during jury trials and on-call periods.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate.
Active Kansas license to practice law.
Eight years of prosecution experience.
Experience serving as lead counsel on high-level and/or complex criminal cases for at least 25 jury trials, 50 bench trials or appellate briefs, or a combination thereof.
Demonstrated leadership abilities, such as appointments to community or agency partner boards or leadership of service projects.
A Kansas or Missouri driver’s license may be required.

Responsibilities

Oversee prosecution of juvenile offender and Child in Need of Care cases and ensure effective operation of the Juvenile Unit.
Apply legal expertise to make prosecutorial decisions, including decisions concerning arrest, search, bond recommendations, and criminal charging in complex and high-level felony district court cases.
Prepare criminal cases for court by reviewing evidence, conducting legal research, making legal arguments and motions, and interviewing witnesses and victims.
Present complex and high-level felony cases in court and serve as an organizational subject matter expert in an assigned practice area.
Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with internal partners, law enforcement, the judiciary, defense counsel, crime victims, the public, community organizations, and colleagues; serve as a media contact when needed.
Maintain required continuing legal education and pursue additional education that develops subject matter expertise.
Support the professional development of partners through teaching appointments, including at the Police Academy, and leadership appointments to boards or committees.
Represent Kansas beyond the 10th Judicial District as a Special Prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, or Special Assistant Attorney General, or research, draft, and present appellate arguments.
With the District Attorney’s approval and at their request, propose and present new legislation to the Kansas legislature.
Provide strategic input on organizational development, review and implement policies, processes, and procedures, and identify and present resource needs to the District Attorney.
Supervise legal professionals, including assisting with recruitment and selection of entry-level attorneys; developing, implementing, and monitoring team goals, performance, policies, and procedures; and managing professional development.
Ensure equitable case distribution and related case coverage, provide substantive input for evaluations, coach and counsel team members, troubleshoot legal and personnel issues, and remain available to the team on call 24/7.