ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY (CRIMINAL)

Polk County, IA; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Polk County Attorney's Office in Des Moines, IA seeks a senior attorney to represent the County in criminal, juvenile, and civil cases, providing strategic case management and independent judgment. The role also mentors less experienced attorneys and coordinates investigative work.

The ideal candidate has a JD, Iowa license, strong research, and courtroom advocacy skills; participates in policy, trial preparation, and community liaison activities.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Iowa.

Responsibilities

• Represent the County in criminal, juvenile, and civil matters; exercise independent decision-making with guidance as needed.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced attorneys; may supervise and review work for policy compliance.
• Conduct interviews with complainants and witnesses; prepare and present evidence; perform legal research and trial preparation.
• Serve as legal counselor to County officials on ordinances, contracts, deeds and related documents; provide legal opinions; may represent the County in courts.
• Assess merits of cases for filing; oversee pretrial conferences; recommend dispositions aligned with office policies.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and briefs; prepare Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law based on proceedings.
• Respond to inquiries from law enforcement and others; act as community liaison; represent the Office at events.
• Provide counsel to law enforcement and personnel; represent clients at hearings and trials; pursue appeals as warranted.
• Analyze and evaluate cases to determine strategies; negotiate outcomes per policy.
• Coordinate investigative functions and supervise staff as needed.
• Recommend office policy and procedural enhancements; perform related duties.

Skills

Legal research

Courtroom advocacy

Oral written comms

Policy analysis

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Licensed to practice law in Iowa

Job description

Under limited supervision, performs complex administrative, technical, and professional legal work in representing the County in criminal, juvenile, and civil cases. This position requires sound legal judgment, strategic case management, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

1. Represents the County in criminal, juvenile, and civil matters at all levels, including administrative proceedings; exercises independent decision-making with guidance from a Bureau Chief as necessary.
2. Provides guidance and mentorship to less experienced attorneys; may assign, evaluate, and review completed work, ensuring adherence to departmental policies, procedures, and standards.
3. Conducts interviews with complainants and witnesses regarding potential legal actions; prepares and presents evidence, including legal arguments assessing case merit; performs legal research and trial preparation.
4. Serves as a legal advisor to County officials and staff on matters including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, and other legal documents; provides legal opinions upon request; may represent and defend the County and its officials in federal and state courts when necessary.
5. Assess the merits of criminal, juvenile, and civil cases for potential filing; oversees pretrial conferences and hearings with victims, witnesses, and defense counsel; recommends appropriate case dispositions in alignment with office policies.
6. Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, and interrogatories; composes legal memoranda, legislative reports, contracts, and briefs; prepares drafts of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law based on court proceedings.
7. Responds to inquiries and complaints submitted to the County Attorney’s Office from law enforcement personnel and other parties; serves as a community liaison and represents the County Attorney’s Office at judicial, civic, and business events.
8. Provides legal counsel to law enforcement and non-law enforcement personnel; represents assigned clients in hearings and trials across criminal, juvenile, and civil courts; pursues appeals as warranted.
9. Analyzes and evaluates assigned cases to determine optimal legal strategies; recommends trial, pleas agreements, dismissal, or other resolutions; negotiates case outcomes in compliance with office policies.
10. Coordinates and oversees investigative functions in criminal, juvenile, and civil matters; may direct the work of investigators, law clerks, legal secretaries, and legal assistants.
11. Provides recommendations regarding office policies, procedural enhancements, and efficient staff utilization.
12. Performs related work as required.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the criminal, juvenile, and civil principles and practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of pleadings, courtroom procedures, and the Rules of Evidence.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws governing criminal misdemeanor, felony, juvenile, and civil cases.
• Proficiency in legal research methodologies and analytical strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to present and argue cases effectively in court.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize case facts, evidence, and precedent to determine appropriate legal approaches.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, County officials, law enforcement personnel, and the general public, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment.
• Ability to perform all aspects of case investigation, preparation, review, and resolution across criminal, juvenile, and civil proceedings.

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Iowa.

Special Requirements

• A criminal background check is required.
• A drug screen is required prior to final offer of employment.

Polk County is committed to providing a work environment that is representative, at all levels, of the citizens we serve. Equal opportunities are available to all applicants and current employees regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.