Criminal Attorney I-II - County Attorney's Office (1025)

Nature of Work

The Position

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is seeking applications for a Deputy Criminal County Attorney position in Flagstaff. Salary is commensurate with experience. Advancement in classification is within the discretion of the County Attorney upon attorney performance and experience.

Who We Are

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is a public law office in Northern Arizona located in the heart of Flagstaff. We are a team of approximately 20 attorneys and 30 legal staff who are dedicated to the vigorous and fair prosecution of crime throughout Coconino County, protection of the rights of crime victims, and effective legal representation of the County and County special districts. The CCAO is one of largest law offices in Northern Arizona and sets the example at the State and National levels in vision and design for rural attorney offices.

Our Mission

“We serve the public by advocating for justice and empowering our community to thrive.”

Our Values

• Justice: We advocate for fair and equitable outcomes.
• Service: We value working for something bigger than ourselves.
• Trust: We inspire confidence with truth, reliability, and respect.
• Integrity: We honor our commitments, with courage.
• Connection: We invest in each other and our community.
• Excellence: We strive to be our best every day.
  
  

Our County

Coconino County (Pop. 145,000) lies in the northern section of Arizona and encompasses a diverse landscape of mountains and high desert, national parks, including the Grand Canyon National Park, and tribal lands of the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, and Navajo Nations. It is the second largest county by area in the continental United States and contains a large part of the Coconino National Forest, the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America. The county seat is Flagstaff, which is nestled against the San Francisco Peaks, the highest elevation in Arizona. Other communities include Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Sedona.

Attorneys perform prosecution functions and civil representation for the County and County Departments, legal representation for clients needing publicly assisted representation in criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency and severance of parental rights cases following appointment by the courts of Coconino County; and perform related duties as required. Advancement in classification is within the discretion of the Department Director based upon attorney performance.

The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of Arizona criminal statutory and case law; Superior and Justice Court Criminal Procedures and their application; Rules of evidence; and principles and techniques of legal research. The ideal candidate will have the skills and abilities to analyze and apply legal principles and practices under the supervision and guidance of a lead attorney; prepare, organize, and try misdemeanor cases alone under the guidance of a lead attorney; interview witnesses and complainants; prepare motions, orders, pleadings, and other legal documents; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically, orally, and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff and representatives from outside agencies. This position is ideal for those who have recently received their bar license and are looking to pursue a career as a felony prosecutor. Opportunity may be given to this attorney to second- chair criminal cases depending on the attorney’s experience, performance, and desire to do so.

Typical Duties

(Illustrative only)

The level and complexity of assignments vary with the level of the position; however, all classes perform the following:

• Manages caseloads, which include interviewing and advising clients on their legal rights and obligations
• Analyzes case material after investigations; conducts legal research as required
• Prepares cases for presentation in court; appears in court and represents clients or the State at court hearings
• Prepares and submits legal documents to the courts on behalf of clients or the State
• Writes, or word-processes correspondence and reports
• Maintains accurate records and files
  
  

Essential functions of this position include but are not limited to: driving; sitting; working with and around others; dealing with interruptions; repetitive motion (hand/wrist) for computer work; vision acuity (near) for routine office and customer service duties; hearing and speech for ordinary conversation; finger dexterity for typing and paperwork.

Minimum Qualifications

Attorney I is the entry-level attorney class. Incumbents learn court procedures, office policy and the application of laws and legal procedures; and are assigned to routine cases while gaining experience. Incumbents may assist a more experienced attorney or be assigned a full and separate caseload of cases with a minimum degree of difficulty.

Coconino County may consider underfilling an Attorney I with a candidate who is in the process of obtaining their AZ State Bar license. The underfill may be hired at 5% below entry and will have up to 6 months from date of hire to obtain the AZ State Bar license.

Attorney II is distinguished from Attorney I by the greater difficulty of cases assigned and the lesser degree of supervision received. Incumbents perform legal work of increasing difficulty. (Minimum of one and one-half years of experience required)

Preferred Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited and American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school(required). Must have current active membership with the State Bar of Arizona and must be in good standing, OR in the process of receiving an active membership with the State Bar of Arizona through reciprocity(required).

Availability to respond to after- hour inquiries during on-call shifts (including weekends and holidays), which may require driving to remote areas of the county, as needed.

Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona Driver's License at time of hire.

These positions are exempt from overtime.

Note: Individuals in exempt classifications as part time employees may be classified as non-exempt per FLSA law regarding minimum weekly salary requirements.

These positions are safety sensitive.

These positions are At-Will.

LICENSE

Current active membership in the State Bar of Arizona. Possession of, or ability to attain, a valid Arizona driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Considerable knowledge of:

• Substantive law, rules of evidence, trial and court procedures, legal principles and research methods commensurate with the level of experience of the class
• Computer applications related to the work
• Standard legal office practices and procedures
• Techniques for dealing with individuals of varying races, genders, ethnicity and ages, some of whom may have physical or emotional problems and who appear to be difficult, confused or hostile
  
  

Ability And Skill In

• Interviewing a variety of individuals and soliciting needed information to determine facts/circumstances
• Developing effective strategies for client representation
• Analyzing cases and applying legal principles
• Presenting statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form
• Presenting an effective case in court
• Managing an assigned caseload
• Preparing clear, concise, accurate and effective legal documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials
• Maintaining accurate records and files
• Using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines
• Communicating logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and departments
• Demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy and compassion
• Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Working cooperatively with colleagues to accomplish the policies and goals of the office
  
  

Coconino County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Employee Benefits

Coconino County offers a comprehensive employee benefits

package to regular employees working 30 or more hours per week that includes:

(Regular Part Time employees receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis. Temporary and Seasonal employees do not receive benefits. Elected officials are not eligible for vacation and sick leave.)

• Vacation/Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 10 Holidays Per Year
• Health Care Insurance
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Group Life Insurance
• Pre-Tax Deduction Plan
• Sick Leave Conversion Plan
• Personal Day Purchase Program
• Vacation Sell Back Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Wellness Program
• Long-Term Disability
• Arizona State Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-going Training Opportunities
• Free bus transportation/ EcoPass bus pass
  
  

Elective Coverage

• Dependent Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Supplemental Life (for employees & dependents)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Tax-deferred investment program
• Accidental and Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability
  
  

01

The purpose of this Supplemental Questionnaire is to obtain additional job-related information in order to evaluate you education, training, and experience relative to the position for which you are applying. Your answers to these questions are REQUIRED in order for your application to move forward in the recruiting process. I have read and understand the above statement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Are you an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

If you answered yes to question #2, please indicate when you were admitted and provide your Arizona Bar number.

04

Please indicate the following information: (a) law school with date of graduation; (b) your approximate class rank upon graduation.

05

Please describe the type of criminal matters you have handled.

06

Please list separately the types of criminal jury and bench trials you have conducted as first chair/lead counsel as a prosecutor.

07

Please provide the following information for any jurisdictions in which you have worked as a prosecutor: (a) your actual job title; (b) dates of employment; and (c) describe average caseload for each position.

08

A cover letter, resume, and writing sample are required documents to upload for this application. I understand the statement listed above.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question