Civil Attorney (At-Will) - County Attorney's Office - Registry

DESCRIPTION

What are you seeking in a new position? If you’re like many others, doing something meaningful is important to you. How about work/life balance? Affordable healthcare? Comprehensive well-being programs? An excellent retirement plan with significant employer contributions?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, keep reading. You can find it all right here in Pinal County. It might be time for a change of scenery, where you can make a difference and benefit from an employer who cares for and values its people.

Pinal County proudly invests in the future of our 2000 employees every day, and we have the best team! We offer a wide range of impressive benefits, including retirement plans that are among the best Arizona has to offer! Just take a look:

Additionally, collaborate with a talented team committed to making Pinal County an outstanding place for residents and staff. Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.

Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job.

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**This is a registry intended to collect applications for current or future vacancies containing one or more positions.**

JOB SUMMARY
The Civil Bureau of the Pinal County Attorney’s Office (PCAO) serves as Pinal County’s in-house law firm that provides legal representation and advice to Pinal County, and its elected officials, and various departments. Part of this legal representation may include assessing, preparing, evaluating, negotiating, and litigating civil cases, and representing PCAO and/or County departments in court, hearings, and negotiations. This position is expected to effectively advise County departments and County officials while managing civil cases and civil-related issues under basic supervision.

This position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.

THE POSITION AND SALARY WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON APPLICANT’S QUALIFICATIONS, IF SELECTED

Advancement within the classification series is not guaranteed or automatic and may be delayed. Years of experience referenced in each classification is the minimum requirement, however, placement at job level is also dependent upon quality of work product, caseload complexity, and the ability to work independently. To be eligible for advancement to the next level in the classification series, the employee must perform successfully at the current level, meet the minimum requirements for the next level, and demonstrate the ability to perform the higher level duties.

ATTORNEY I - Pay Grade 16 - $86,656 - $125,651

This is the trainee level classification in the Attorney series. Incumbents perform entry level legal work under close supervision

ATTORNEY II - Pay Grade 18 - $99,212 - $143,858

This is the journey level classification in the Attorney series. Incumbents perform intermediate level legal work under general supervision.

ATTORNEY III - Pay Grade 21 - $121,539 - 176,231

This is the senior level classification in the Attorney series. Perform legal work of greater complexity and difficulty, working under minimal supervision, exercising discretion, and independent judgment.

Example of Duties

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Represent PCAO on behalf of county clients to resolve civil cases brought for and against the County, learn PCAO guidelines and standards, and perform duties within the delegated scope of authority.
• Assist in litigating civil cases, reviewing legal documents, and analyzing case facts.
• Evaluate and discuss cases with newer attorneys, use of applicable legal motions, and advise as to appropriate dispositions.
• Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues.
• Apply legal principles to determinations on individual cases and problems.
• Confer with and offer advice and counsel to County officials and employees as clients, apply legal expertise in a variety of legal fields including administrative, contract, procurement, environmental, property and real estate, employment, public records, tax issues, and other fields of common practice in public sector law.
• Manage assigned legal cases, confer with participants, negotiate agreements, and if necessary, litigate and resolve cases.
• Review and develop recommendations for legal decisions, policies, regulations, resolutions, tax appeals, public disclosure requests, court orders, and other assigned legal matters.
• Evaluate case files, research missing and incomplete information and documents, manage collection and analysis of evidence, use various computer databases, and update files and records.
• Review status of cases with supervisor and create, process, and file memoranda and legal documents.
• Cross-train in a wide variety of civil legal areas.
• Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of PCAO by following its rules and regulations to maintain accountability and preserve public trust.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Specific Duties May Include:

• Advises county officers and county departments regarding civil legal matters and represents them in court and regulatory actions.
• Provides written opinions to county officers and their employees on matters relating to the duties of their offices and/or departments.
• Acts as the legal advisor to the board of supervisors, attends its meetings and opposes claims against the county that the county attorney deems unjust or illegal.
• Represents assigned departments on civil matters in courts of law and before regulatory agencies.
• Responds to emails, questions, and phone calls from county official and employees regarding civil legal issues that arise in their departments.
• Attends Commissions, Committees, and Board meetings to provide legal advice to the respective public bodies and their members.
• Represents the County in Title 36 mental health hearings, reviews petitions for court ordered evaluation and court-ordered treatment and provide advice regarding the Title 36 process.
• Represents and advises Pinal County and the Pinal County Treasurer in all tax lien foreclosures.
• Reviews and responds to Public Records Requests received by Pinal County.
• Advises and represents Development Services regarding code enforcement issues and cases involving abatements of property, enforcement of public health laws and regulations, and matters of zoning enforcement and interpretation.
• Represents Pinal County in civil forfeiture proceedings and advises law enforcement on legal issues that involve the civil forfeiture of property seized in a criminal case.
• Coordinates civil litigation with outside legal counsel when Pinal County or a county employee in his or her official capacity is named as a party to the action.
• Represents and defends Pinal County and the Pinal County Recorder in election lawsuits and election challenges.
• Conducts transactional work on behalf of Pinal County.
• Reviews, drafts and edits legal documents, such as contracts, intergovernmental agreements, liens, deeds, and memorandums of understanding.
• Represents and defends all locally valued and assessed property tax appeals.
• Represents and advises the Pinal County Public Fiduciary in Guardianship and Conservatorship matters.
• Represents Pinal County in animal seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
• Advises and provides representation in matters related to improvement districts.
• Serves on specific task or working groups as requested.
• Participates in policy-making discussions and analysis as requested.
• Obtains additional knowledge of legal and other job-related fields through reading of related information and materials and attending training and educational classes.
• Maintains files, compiles reports, and statistics as needed.
• Performs special assignments as requested.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

ATTORNEY I - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctorate degree or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited, ABA approved law school.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required within 30 days of hire.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions.

ATTORNEY II - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Two (2) years’ experience in practicing law.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required within 30 days of hire.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions.

ATTORNEY III - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Five (5) years’ experience in practicing law.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required within 30 days of hire.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions.

Preferred Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Arizona civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, procedures, rules, and policies of Pinal County Courts and Arizona Superior Court.
• Knowledge of principles and protocols to gather information and records for use in court and for purposes of rendering advice.
• Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a County Attorney including rules of professional conduct and standards for ethical behavior.
• Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a county board of supervisors.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources, and databases.
• Knowledge of legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles of records management, maintenance of case files, and records management.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence, motion practice, court rules, and any applicable precedent.
• Skill in interpreting and explaining legal standards and procedures, applicable Federal and state rules and regulations, and PCAO policies and procedures.
• Skill in evaluating and applying civil statutes and regulations to information and other evidence.
• Skill in reviewing legal documents to extract relevant information and evaluate legal issues and legal system variables.
• Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in decision making.
• Ability to handle a large volume of work.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with clients, coworkers, attorneys, representatives of law enforcement agencies, courts, employees of other departments, the public, and other participants in county governance.
• Ability to make persuasive legal arguments both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates increased knowledge in specific civil areas of practice; engage in independent decision making related to the handling of more complex civil litigation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is light and requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. The work also requires the ability to finger, reach, perform repetitive motion, lift, hear, speak, stand, walk, operate motor vehicles and demonstrate mental and visual acuity. Ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences.

This position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.

This announcement may be closed as soon as a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and respect for others. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process, we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration, which may impact your future Pinal County applications. The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications, and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval. Offers of employment are valid only if provided in writing and approved by Pinal County Human Resources.

All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply. However, visa sponsorship is not available. Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).

Pinal County requires pre-employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety-sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment screening. If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this description.