ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR/ASSISTANT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

City of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cincinnati is seeking an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the City Solicitor’s Office to handle criminal and traffic case processing, plea negotiations, and courtroom appearances. The ideal candidate will have a valid Ohio law license and prior courtroom experience.

Responsibilities include preparing dockets, responding to discovery, conducting trials, and managing cases on appeal. Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to work in a high-volume, team-oriented

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio and in good standing.
• Prior courtroom experience with criminal and traffic cases preferred.
• Ability to manage high-volume caseload and work in a team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with case management technology.

Responsibilities

• Prepare courtroom dockets and manage case files.
• Plea negotiations and trial preparation for bench or jury trials.
• Respond to discovery requests and motions.
• Handle appeals and write legal memos.
• Work collaboratively with the City Solicitor's Office.
• Maintain professional communications with officers, witnesses, and the public.

Skills

Public law principles

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral communication

Written communication

Ethical standards

Teamwork

Case management

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

General Statement of Duties The City of Cincinnati Law Department is seeking an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. The ideal candidate will have prior courtroom experience and be familiar with the processing of criminal and traffic cases. Jury trial experience is helpful but not necessary. The person who fills this position will be responsible for preparing courtroom dockets, responding to discovery requests and motions, and managing cases in the courtroom. This includes working out plea bargains, trying cases to the bench or to a jury, and handling cases on appeal. Candidates should have excellent oral and written communications skills and be prepared to respond cordially and professionally to phone calls, emails, and other communications. The applicant should be able to handle a high-volume caseload and work collaboratively in a team setting. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a comfort level with technology related to case management and case preparation as needed for this position. The applicant must possess a current license to practice law in the State of Ohio and be in good standing. The City of Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer. The salary for the position will be competitive commensurate with experience and skill set.

This Position is located in the City Solicitor’s Office, 801 Plum Street, Room 214, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

Knowledge Of

• Modern and complex principles and practices of public law.
• Basic methods of public administration.
• Legal principles, practices, and procedures of civil, constitutional, and administrative law.
• Methods and techniques of legal research and transactional practice.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and their past applications.
• Awareness of the organization, duties, powers, authority, policies, and procedures of both the City Solicitor's Office in general and the division to which the attorney is assigned in particular.
• Advanced legal writing skills.
• Ethical standards as applied to the City Solicitor's Office and public employment in Ohio.

Ability To

• Prepare clear, concise, and complex legal position papers and opinions.
• Organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge of complex legal problems.
• Assist with presentation of complex cases in court.
• Conduct exhaustive research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Research legal issues through various computer programs and applications.
• Interact with elected officials, City administration, and the general public.

Required Education And Experience

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience prosecuting criminal cases and managing courtroom dockets
• Experience responding to discovery requests and motions, negotiating plea bargains, and trying cases (jury trial experience is a plus)
• Experience researching and writing appellate briefs and making oral arguments in courts of appeals
• Experience working as part of a team to achieve specified goals

Working and Physical Conditions

Specific

Examples of work performed

• Preparing courtroom dockets: enter correct information into software to obtain a docket report; identify cases set for motion, pretrial, trial, or sentencing; ensure all evidence has been ordered for each case; locate or create missing paperwork; deliver paperwork to paralegals to notify officers and subpoena witnesses; and organize paperwork to be ready for court.
• Prepare cases for trial or motion: review case evidence and make requests for evidence that has not been ordered; contact and interview officers and witnesses; prepare opening statement, direct examination, cross‑examination, closing argument, and voir dire; map out arguments in response to any defense motions and prepare written responses to such motions.
• Research legal questions and prepare written memoranda that synthesize the research results.
• Prepare cases and appear in court to prosecute them.
• Coordinate office activities with those of other departmental divisions.
• Review new statutes and case law to keep abreast of current legal issues; attend seminars to keep abreast of new legal decisions, laws, and issues.
• Respond to complaints from officers and witnesses.
• Develop proficiency on computer software required to perform assigned tasks.

General

• Research legal questions and prepare written memoranda that synthesize the research results.
• Prepare cases and appear in court to prosecute them.
• Coordinate office activities with those of other departmental divisions.
• Review new statutes and case law to keep abreast of current legal issues; attend seminars to keep abreast of new legal decisions, laws, and issues.
• Respond to complaints from officers and witnesses.
• Develop proficiency on computer software required to perform assigned tasks.

Perform related duties and responsibilities as required

Environmental Conditions

Work in an office setting and walk or drive to county courthouse; exposure to computer screens; need to work closely with others.

Physical Conditions

Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Applications for City positions are considered public records under Ohio’s Public Records Act. As a public record, applications maintained by the City shall be made available to any person requesting to view them.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Reasonable accommodation for qualified people with disabilities. To help us achieve the City’s goal to recruit qualified persons with disabilities, please self‑identify at the time of application and at employment interviews.

All offers extended to candidates are contingent upon successful completion of a physical evaluation/drug screen and background check. An applicant with a positive drug test result may not be considered for any position with the City of Cincinnati for a period of one year. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

For inquiries, please contact Lisa Kunz, Chief of Staff, Law Department, Room 214, City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, [e-mail]

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees’ to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full‑time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.

The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job‑specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible Dependents Include

• Legal Spouse or Equal Partner
• Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")
• Step-child
• Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City‑paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

Flexible Benefits Plans

• Healthcare Flex Spending Account: City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out‑of‑pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.
• Dependent Care Flex Spending Account: City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work‑related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre‑tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.
• Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA): City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set‑up a pre‑tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out‑of‑pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part‑time and full‑time employees. New hires and re‑hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax‑deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.