Criminal Attorney (At-Will) - County Attorney's Office
Pinal County · AZ 85132, AZ ·
- Seniority
- Junior
- Employment
- Contract
- Category
- Legal
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:
- An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work-Life Balance.
- Paid Vacation And Sick Leave
- 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
- After Three (3) Years of Service, 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
- After Five (5) Years of Service, 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
- 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
- Ten Paid Holidays + One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish
- 13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
- Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years
- Two-Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service
- Three-Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service
- Four-Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
- Four-Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
- Comprehensive Wellness Program
- Quarterly Wellness Challenges
- Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite
- Vaccination Clinics
- Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events
- Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite
- Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite
- Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online
- Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi
- Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!
- Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From
- Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost
- Dental and Vision Plans
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Alternative Work Schedules
- Telehealth
- Qualified Employer - Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Department of Education
- Employee Assistance Program with Ongoing Training & Development Options
- Civil Service Leave
- Van Pool Options
- Short-Term Disability – Employer Paid
- Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid
- Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses
- Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance
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.
Before you apply, watch this video to learn helpful tips for completing an application at Pinal County:
Application Tips
JOB SUMMARY
Perform legal work of greater complexity and difficulty, working under minimal supervision, exercising discretion, and independent judgment. Assess, prepare, prosecute, negotiate, and litigate criminal cases, represent the Pinal County Attorney's Office (PCAO) in courtrooms, hearings, and negotiations, and learn PCAO guidelines and standards to effectively manage criminal cases and case files under minimal supervision. May assist on highly complex cases and assist with training and mentoring less experienced attorneys.
The Pinal County Attorney's Office is seeking applicants for these specified positions:
Special Victims Unit - Felony Prosecution of Sexual Offenses (adult and child victims) and Domestic Violence Offenses.
Major Offender Bureau - Felony Prosecution of Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Gang and Prison Offenses, and Drug Sales.
Community Protection Bureau - General Felony Prosecution (Aggravated Assault, Forgery, Drug Possession, Burglary, Fraud, and Property Related Offenses) .
Justice Court Bureau - Misdemeanor Prosecution.
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 the department in the prosecution of criminal cases, resolve assigned cases within policy, learn department guidelines and standards, and perform duties within scope of authority.
- Assist in the prosecution of criminal cases, review legal documents, and compile and analyze case facts.
- Prosecute the most serious and complex cases, including non-capital homicide cases.
- Evaluate criminal cases of newer attorneys, suggest lines of investigation, appropriate trial tactics and legal motions to use, and give advice as to appropriate dispositions.
- Review evidence, interview witnesses, prepare pre-trial legal memoranda, select juries, prepare and present opening and closing statements, examine and cross examine witnesses, make and meet legal objections, and request legal instructions.
- Evaluate criminal charges as filed and instruct investigators as to additional information needed to defend cases, evaluate the information, and determine the appropriate disposition of the case.
- 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 and clients, apply legal expertise in a variety of legal fields including administrative, contract, tort, environmental, family, juvenile, immigration, real estate, regulatory, public records, tax issues, child support, and other fields of practice in public sector law.
- Represent the department at arraignments, hearings and trials, identify and subpoena witnesses, records, and other information required to present the case, compile and present evidence, bring cases before the court and argue facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent, and interview and cross-examine witnesses.
- Manage assigned legal cases, confer with participants, negotiate agreements, and 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 and research missing and incomplete information and documents, manage collection and analysis of evidence, research files and computer databases, and update files and records.
- Review case status with supervisor and create, process, and file memoranda and legal documents.
- Cross-train in a wide variety of legal fields.
- Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
- To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
- Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
- Perform other related duties as required.
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:
- A minimum of three (3) years of relevant legal experience preferred.
- Experience in areas such as providing legal advice to state/town/city/county government departments and elected officials.
- Exposure to handling public records, open meetings, administrative code enforcement, zoning, nuisance and abatement issues, employment law, election law, civil litigation, asset forfeiture or similar experience preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of PCAO policies, procedures, organization, and operations.
- Knowledge of state of Arizona criminal 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 procedures and protocols for trial court, arraignment, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
- Knowledge of principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information and records for use in court and negotiations.
- Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of PCAO including rules of professional conduct and standards for ethical behavior.
- Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources, and databases.
- Knowledge of legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
- Knowledge of principles of record keeping, case files, and records management.
- Knowledge of the principles of criminal and/or juvenile law, rules of evidence, motion practice and rules of court.
- 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 criminal and civil laws to information, evidence, and other data compiled.
- Skill in reviewing legal documents, extracting relevant information, evaluating legal issues and legal system variables, and negotiating agreements.
- Skill in prosecuting and litigating cases in a legal hearing and courtroom setting.
- Skill in researching and identifying precedence in case law.
- 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, co-workers, attorneys, representatives of law enforcement agencies, courts, employees of other departments, the public, and other participants in the justice system.
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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences.
This announcement may be closed as soon as a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied.
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.
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.