Assistant County Attorney

The Polk County Attorney’s Office located in Crookston, Minnesota, is seeking applications for the position of a full-time Assistant County Attorney to represent the State of Minnesota and Polk County in criminal and civil proceedings.

This is a challenging and rewarding position with primary responsibilities including prosecuting felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases, handling child delinquency and CHIPS proceedings, representing the county in other court and administrative proceedings, and providing legal advice to county departments. The emphasis of this position will be criminal prosecution, with the successful candidate’s duties mainly encompassing representation of the State of Minnesota in criminal proceedings is district court. The caseload will involve extensive court hearings and appearances, as well as jury and court trials, with an emphasis placed on courtroom skills, legal research, and legal writing abilities.

Annual salary range for this position for 2025 is $87,818 to $120,000, depending upon experience and qualifications, with annual step increases. The position also includes a highly competitive benefits package and is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The benefits package includes a monthly $1,600 cafeteria plan contribution by the County; healthcare plans through BCBS with various deductibles and very attractive, low-cost premiums regardless of the number of dependents; dental, vision, life, long-term and short-term disability coverage; flexible spending accounts; PERA retirement with contributions made by the County; 10 paid holidays each year; paid vacation and sick leave; and access to other health and wellness programs.

Applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate and be admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota in order to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Legal experience in a County Attorney’s Office or other Prosecutor’s Office preferred but not required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions:

• Presents State’s case to court and jury in trial proceedings by preparing case and arguments; introducing evidence; asking questions of witnesses; cross-examining witnesses; and persuading reluctant witnesses or victims to cooperate.
• Files criminal charges against adults and juveniles based upon jurisdiction and admission of evidence; on what additional investigation is needed; and by determining if warrant or summons should be issued.
• Provides legal advice to law enforcement and county agencies regarding various situations and determines if probable cause exists for search warrants or arrests.
• Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for county officials and staff in assigned area of responsibility.
• Reviews statutory, rule changes, updates staff and makes recommendations to County Attorney for changes to office procedures.
• Issues written and oral opinions; assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.
• Provides information and training to law enforcement agencies regarding legal issues through presentations and meetings.
  Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge Required:

• Knowledge of law theory, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of departmental and county policies and practices.
• Knowledge of computer equipment and related software applications.

Skills Required:

• Skill in legal research; information gathering, compilation, and presentation.
• Skill in the operation of office equipment, including computers.
• Skill in oral and written communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education and Experience

Juris Doctorate and moderate experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, walking and sitting and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

Admission to practice law in the State of Minnesota