Deputy District Attorney I - Civil

Churchill County; Fallon (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Health insurance

No Social Security tax

Job summary

Churchill County is seeking an entry‑level in‑house counsel to provide professional legal services for civil and criminal cases in Nevada. The role requires the Juris Doctorate and admission to practice in Nevada, with responsibilities spanning advising county departments, drafting ordinances, and appearing in court.

The successful candidate will handle diverse legal matters, assist child support services, and participate in weekend on‑call duties while contributing to a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and Nevada bar admission required.
• Knowledge of legal principles, procedures and precedents.
• Strong legal research and writing abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to advise County officials and manage multiple matters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as in-house counsel for Churchill County and provide representation for civil and criminal matters.
• Prepare ordinances and draft legislation; advise departments and boards.
• Make court appearances and handle filings; support child support matters.
• Provide training, guidance, and back-up to staff; work collaboratively with teams.
• Maintain professional conduct, integrity, and confidentiality in all interactions.
• Be available for weekend on-call duty as required.

Skills

Constitutional law

Legal research

Legal writing

Judicial procedure

Ethics & discretion

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Client counseling

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Churchill County, located in Northern Nevada and featuring 300 days of sunshine each year, is a wonderful place to live and work. Churchill County has a population of approximately 26,000 people. The County is primarily agricultural and is the home of Naval Air Station Fallon, which hosts Top Gun. There is a wonderful sense of community, and it is a great place for any family. We are surrounded by wonderful outdoor opportunities, a short drive from the Reno metropolitan area, beautiful Lake Tahoe and nearby ski resorts. The Churchill County District Attorney’s office is comprised of seven attorneys, eight legal secretaries and six child support workers. We have a family friendly/flexible office environment. We are willing to consider and work with applicants who are members of the bar in other States. This position will be open until filled, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply without delay.

This position has been designated by Nevada PERS as a critical labor shortage position. As a result, Churchill County is authorized to consider applications from Nevada PERS retirees. Individuals receiving Nevada PERS retirement benefits may work in critical shortage positions and continue receiving their retirement allowance.

Churchill County provides an attractive compensation package that extends beyond just the salary. The county pays 100% of the retirement contribution to Nevada PERS on your behalf (36.75% over and above your wage, equivalent to $38,000/year). The county pays 100% of the employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $13,500/year). AND you will not have Social Security taken out of your paycheck, which results in an additional 6% take-home pay (equivalent to $6,200/year).

Responsible for providing professional legal services involved in the prosecution or defense of civil and criminal cases in a court in the State of Nevada; prepares and reviews a variety of legal documents; provides legal counsel and advice to County departments.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the entry-level class in this professional series.

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Serves as in-house counsel and provides legal advice and representation on behalf of any County or regional public agency; provides representation on a broad range of legal issues and matters to include federal civil rights actions, personal injury, licensing, personnel/labor issues, planning/zoning and the judicial review of agency decisions.
• Advises County officials on the legal propriety of proposed actions to include: the analysis and assessment of claims; provision of advice during meetings of County and regional boards and commissions; provision of oral and written legal opinions.
• Prepares and provides advice on the preparation of ordinances and draft legislation.
• Makes oral and written presentations to the County Board and other public and private groups; represents Departments and the County with other government agencies or in public meetings.
• Handles all court filings and appearances related to abused and neglected children through representation of the Division of Child and Family Services and the provision of general legal counsel to that department.
• Serves as on-call deputy to answer questions and draft search warrant applications.
• Makes court appearance to include: trials, appeals, preliminary hearings, status hearings, arraignments, evidentiary and review hearings and Child Support Hearing Master.
• Prepares various legal documents including appeals, motions, reviews of criminal complaints, negotiations and settlements of proposals.
• Performs legal duties in the criminal area of the District Attorney’s Office as assigned.
• Provides legal support to child support: reviews documentation, negotiates settlements, provides training to staff, etc.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
• Is made available for weekend on-call duty.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:

Juris Doctorate in Law and admittance to practice in the State courts of Nevada; or as provided by Supreme Court rule.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Application of legal principles to individual cases or problems.
• Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
• Applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Computer applications, particularly as related to the performance of legal research.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

Skill in:

• Understanding and interpreting constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents.
• Researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations and court decisions.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate records of work performed.
• Compiling and summarizing information and preparing periodic or special reports.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or department goals, objectives and activities.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations and procedures.
• Using tact, discretion and prudence in dealing with court officials, witnesses, members of the legal community and the general public.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Nevada Driver’s License.
• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Nevada and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Nevada.
• Permit to carry a concealed weapon (CCW) which may be obtained after hire.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone and in person.

Conditions of Employment

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable).
3. Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.