Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I

Snohomish County, WA; Everett (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office in Snohomish County, WA, is seeking an entry-level Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to join the Criminal Division. This position handles less complex criminal matters and gains experience toward independent work and increasing responsibilities.

The role emphasizes pursuing justice with ethical standards, collaboration with law enforcement, and commitment to community safety. The office offers competitive benefits, a hybrid work arrangement after probation, and

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to WA Bar or Rule 9 license.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates, charges, negotiates and tries criminal cases as assigned.
• Maintains effective relationships with attorneys, staff, bench, bar, and law enforcement.
• Collaborates across divisions to achieve goals.
• Assists others when asked or as directed.
• Remains mindful that justice is the paramount duty and manages costs prudently.

Skills

Communication

Legal research

Judgment

Deadline driven

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Description

About the Office

The Criminal Division is responsible for prosecuting all adult and juvenile felonies that occur within Snohomish County, as well as misdemeanor and gross misdemeanors that occur in unincorporated areas. The Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office is committed to the responsible exercise of its prosecutorial discretion in ways that best serve our diverse community. We do so by supporting and advocating for crime victims and their families, holding individuals who harm others and commit crimes accountable, and preserving and protecting the rights of the accused. It is our mission to pursue justice fairly, firmly, and ethically, and to help create safe and livable communities for everyone while maintaining the trust and respect of those we humbly serve. We are also dedicated to pursuing innovative alternatives to traditional prosecution that include embedded therapeutic programs designed to address the root causes of criminal behavior. As an office, we highly value hard work, teamwork, and a healthy work-life balance.

Snohomish County Official Website

Snohomish County is in northwest Washington State between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. Just 15 miles north of Seattle, the county is rich in scenery with abundant opportunities for outdoor activities and has a thriving economy. It is a great place to live, work, raise a family, and play.

Snohomish County offers a generous total compensation package. For example, total compensation for a full time first year criminal deputy prosecuting attorney I is $133,180.00. This includes a gross annual salary of $94,580.00 and annual benefits with a current approximate value of $38,600.00. These benefits consist of medical, dental, vision, FICA, Medicare, Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave, PERS (pension), disability insurance, and a limited employer matching contribution for deferred compensation plan. This position provides for paid state and local bar dues, Prosecutor sponsored CLEs and may qualify for school or federal student loan forgiveness programs.

In addition to these benefits, first year employees receive 96 hours of annual paid sick leave, 96 hours of annual paid vacation leave, 16 additional hours of annual floating holiday leave and 11 paid holidays.

Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys are also eligible to receive yearly merit money awards that can be as high as $4,000 and for annual wage increases.

BASIC FUNCTION

To provide professional legal services to the Criminal Division of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. This is an entry-level attorney classification in the Criminal Division of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Attorneys in this class are generally assigned to less complex criminal legal matters and, over time, work with greater independence and assume responsibility for more difficult and complex assignments as experience is gained.

Statement Of Essential Job Duties

• Evaluates, charges, negotiates and tries criminal cases as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains effective and positive work relationships with groups and individuals inside and outside the office, particularly attorneys, support staff, Bench, Bar, County government, law enforcement agencies, and community.
• Works effectively across division and departmental lines to achieve goals.
• Assists others when asked or as directed.
• Understands that the paramount duty is to seek justice; keeps track of all costs associated with each case; while cost should never direct action that will be taken on a case, the use of broad discretion regarding the allocation of resources must be considered; it is important to minimize officer overtime, witness costs, and extra fees while minimizing inconvenience to witnesses.

Statement Of Other Job Duties

• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Legal degree from an accredited law school. Must be a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or have a Rule 9 license and be able to become a member of the Washington State Bar within a short time of hire.

Special Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. A valid Washington State Driver's License may be required. Must successfully pass a criminal background investigation, which includes fingerprinting.

Knowledge And Abilities

• charging and disposition standards
• judicial procedures and the law of evidence
• basic appellate practices
• office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications
• methods and techniques of legal research
• rules of professional conduct

Ability To

• communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• perform quality legal research
• work under pressure and with individuals who may be distraught or challenging
• meet deadlines
• use time and resources efficiently
• organize and perform multiple tasks to meet deadlines
• maintain a high level of confidentiality of records and information
• exercise excellent judgment and tact in all relationships
• communicate clearly, effectively, and courteously with attorneys, support staff, judges, and the general public
• respond quickly and effectively to unanticipated situations
• manage the day to day and long range work responsibilities of one or more support staff members, where directed by an Assistant Chief or the Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor
• uphold the highest ethical standards and commitment to professionalism in all areas of work performance and practice
• be courteous, professional, and honest at all times
• comply with Office standards and policies
• support the Washington State Bar Association's aspirational goals for pro bono work

SUPERVISION

Deputy Prosecutors report to and receive direction from their assigned Unit Lead (i.e., District Court, Juvenile Court Unit, Non-Violent Felony Trial Team, Charging Unit, Special Assault Unit, etc.) and/or from the Assistant Chief Criminal Deputy and Chief Criminal Deputy.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Most of the work is performed in a traditional professional office environment with frequent court appearances and periodic trips to other outside locations to attend meetings, hearings, interviews, and to undertake other job-related responsibilities. The Prosecutor's Office is located on the Snohomish County Court Campus and is connected to the County Courthouse. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to5:00 PM, however, from time-to-time particular assignments or specific components of the job may require work to be performed in the evening, and on weekends and/or holidays when necessary to meet deadlines, complete tasks, and to be properly prepared for trial and related hearings.

To the extent their job responsibilities allow, after a six-month probationary period employees are permitted to work remotely one day per week. A laptop computer and all necessary software are provided. Employees must have reliable connectivity and an appropriate workspace to telework.

EEO policy and ADA notice

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.

County Benefits

Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Benefits to learn more about the following benefits.

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement
• Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Commuting Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
• Leave & Holidays

Voluntary Benefits

• Deferred Compensation 457(b)
• Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
• Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies

Healthcare Premiums

• Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these monthly premiums for medical insurance. The County pays the monthly premiums for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
• Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay pro-rated monthly premiums for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The County's contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.

Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the County's ACA Employer Shared Responsibility Guide to learn more.