Assistant Law Director (Prosecutor)

This position is one that requires a high degree of professional and specialized training and aptitude in all phases of criminal prosecution through sentencing. This employee is responsible for the criminal prosecution of felony and misdemeanor cases in the Sandusky Municipal Court.

The ability to successfully interact with various outside agencies (State and local) who operate within the jurisdiction of the municipal court is mandatory. The prosecutor's role will range from probable cause determination through ultimate conclusion of each case with the overriding principle to do justice while recognizing the rights of victims of criminal activity. This employee must be able to successfully interrelate with law enforcement personnel, state agency personnel, fellow prosecutors at the State, County and local level, defense attorneys, court personnel and victim advocates.

This employee is responsible for all cases assigned which include prosecution in the municipal court and criminal appellate practice when necessary. This employee works under the general supervision of the Law Director. This employee must possess the ability to appropriately deal with the media and effectively monitor criminal cases from authorization of charges through sentencing or transfer to common pleas court.

Criminal Law Expertise

Comprehensive working knowledge of Federal, State and local criminal law and procedure including Constitutional law affecting criminal prosecutions; a working knowledge of sentencing requirements including mandatory minimum sentences for various offenses including traffic violations.

Legal Research, Writing & Analysis

Strong ability to perform legal analysis including legal research and writing concentrating in the area of criminal law and procedure.

Litigation & Trial Advocacy

Experience and demonstrated ability to prepare and try criminal cases before a judge and jury with a concomitant ability to express oneself clearly, concisely and effectively both in writing and orally.

Professional Communication & Relationship Management

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, court officials and employees, representatives of other agencies and the media and the general public.

Case & Staff Management

Demonstrated administrative and management ability to organize and monitor caseloads and complex assignments.

• Prepare and manage caseload including criminal (felony and misdemeanor) and traffic cases for trial or hearing in the municipal court. This would include motion practice and the ability to draft necessary pleadings and legal briefs.

• Directly controls and manages his/her caseload and provides advice to all law enforcement agencies within the municipal court's jurisdiction on probable cause determinations and other appropriate procedural questions relating to criminal prosecutions.

• Routinely assigns to and monitors the work of support staff which currently is a prosecutor's administrative secretary. Responsible for compliance with the Supreme Court rules for the government of the Bar of Ohio and the Code of Professional Responsibility as adopted by the Supreme Court of Ohio in all matters relating to the prosecution of criminal cases and the supervision of subordinates.

• Ability to confer, interrelate and cooperate, under the general direction of the Law Director, with the other Assistant Law Directors who are assigned as prosecutors on professional matters and to minimize conflicts regarding vacations, conflicts of interest and any other non-emergency absences so as to minimize the necessity for utilization of outside counsel as special prosecutors.

• The City will consider any reasonable accommodation in meeting the job-related physical demands of this position.

• This is primarily a sedentary job, which requires a sighted individual for extensive reading which includes:

o Inter office and intra office communications (e.g. letters, memos, e mail), various documents, some of which are lengthy such as court opinions; legal briefs; documentary evidence; court and evidentiary rules and regulations regarding procedural matters including appellate rules and procedures; Federal and State Statutes; local ordinances and related regulations. The necessity for physical appearance in court and other appropriate functions also require the incumbent be reasonably ambulatory and possess a normal level of manual dexterity. The position further requires an individual with normal hearing for routine daily activities and necessary interaction with various individuals both in person, on the telephone, in the courtroom and in the office environment. The analytical, evaluative, and interpersonal communications necessary for this work also require an individual who possesses highly developed visual memory and discrimination, auditory memory and discrimination, and extensive interactive communication skills.

• Primary functions require use of office equipment, such as computer hardware and software applications, telephones, multifunctional devices, and other various electronics. Sufficient physical ability and mobility are needed to work in an office setting, including standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movements and fine coordination; and to travel to other locations using modes of private and commercial transportation.

• Inside: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. A job is considered "inside" if the worker spends approximately 75 percent or more of the time inside.

• A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school with active status registration pursuant to the Supreme Court Rules for the government of the Ohio Bar or be eligible for prompt admission pursuant to those rules.

• Current active status and licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio or be eligible for prompt admission pursuant to Rule VI of the Supreme Court Rules for the government of the Ohio Bar.