Deputy Attorney General II/III/IV

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General seeks a Deputy Attorney General (II/III/IV) in State College for its Drug Strike Force Section within the Criminal Law Division. The position conducts complex narcotics prosecutions, coordinates with Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, and uses grand jury and electronic surveillance resources.

The DAG level varies by experience, with travel as needed. Telework is available two days per week; typical hours are 8:30–5:00, and the role supports aggressive

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited law school and admission to the Pennsylvania Bar.
• DAG II requires at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.
• DAG III requires at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.
• DAG IV requires at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.

Responsibilities

• Develops investigative plans with assigned agents to determine next steps.
• Directs investigations and selects investigative tools to achieve just outcomes.
• Monitors investigations and adjusts strategies as needed.
• Reviews and approves search warrants with Narcotics Agents.
• Reviews affidavits for electronic surveillance orders and prepares applications.
• Represents the Commonwealth through all stages of prosecution.
• Writes submissions and presentments for grand jury and prosecutions.

Skills

Legal research

Prosecutorial experience

Written advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Section: Drug Strike Force Section/Criminal Law Division

Class: Deputy Attorney General II/III/IV

Location: State College

Telework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union

Work Hours: 8:30 – 5:00

Salary Range: DAG II: Pay Range 9 – Starting salary of $80,000

DAG III: Pay Range 10 – Starting salary of $91,423

DAG IV: Pay Range 11 – Starting salary of $104,529

Basic Function

This Deputy Attorney General position is an advanced prosecutor position in the Office of Attorney General’s Criminal Law Division. The Drug Strike Force Section provides legal assistance and direction to Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control agents as they jointly develop complex cases for prosecution against narcotics traffickers and their organizations throughout Pennsylvania and across state borders. Drug Strike Force lawyers routinely utilize the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury and electronic surveillance as investigative resources and prosecute criminal cases in the various counties within their assigned region. Drug Strike Force lawyers provide similar assistance to the Pennsylvania State Police, upon request. The section is also responsible for coordinating investigations and prosecutions of drug diversion cases within the Office of Attorney General. This position requires an experienced prosecutor who will handle both traditional narcotics cases as well as drug diversion cases for the Region IV office based out of State College.

This position is responsible for all phases of prosecution, including making charging decisions, and preparing for and attending arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial conferences, pretrial motions and hearings, trials (bench/jury), post-trial motions and hearings, and sentencing hearings. A willingness to travel is an essential part of this position, and an intimate knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure is necessary to perform these duties. As a Deputy Attorney General II (DAG II) gains experience, work increases in complexity and is performed with more independence. A Deputy Attorney General III (DAG III) will work independently on most matters. A Deputy Attorney General IV (DAG IV) works independently except in extraordinary cases.

• Develops investigative plans based upon the nature of the matter to be investigated (simple/complex) in conjunction with the assigned agents
• Directs investigations determining what investigative steps to take and investigative tools to use to achieve an appropriate/just investigative outcome
• Monitors investigations, assessing progress and adjusting investigative strategies when needed
• Reviews and approves search and seizure warrants with assigned Narcotics Agents
• Reviews affidavits of probable cause for electronic surveillance orders and prepares applications for same
• Keeps supervisor informed of the progress and potential outcome of investigations
• Determines, along with agents and in consultation with superiors, whether to pursue a prosecution
• Writes submissions and presentments to the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury
• Prepares, reviews, and approves charging documents in conjunction with agents if prosecution is pursued
• Represents the Commonwealth post arrest and throughout all stages of the criminal prosecution including arraignments, preliminary hearings, pre-trial conferences, pretrial motions and hearings, trials (bench/jury), post-trial motions and hearings, and sentencing hearings
• Answers routine correspondence
• Performs additional and related work as required

In addition to the below qualifications, Grand Jury and electronic surveillance experience is preferred, but not required.

Deputy Attorney General II:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Deputy Attorney General III:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Deputy Attorney General IV:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Candidate should have a demonstrable ability to proactively develop, investigate, and prosecute cases, in conjunction and cooperation with agents within the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and other sections within OAG, and/or with members or officers of outside partner law enforcement agencies.