Deputy District Attorney II - Criminal

City of Santa Fe Springs; Fallon (NV); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Churchill County seeks an experienced attorney to prosecute criminal cases in Nevada courts. The role requires presenting the State’s evidence, preparing pleadings, and conducting legal research to support case strategy.

The incumbent will handle plea negotiations, advise law enforcement, and participate in hearings, trials, and related proceedings while maintaining meticulous records and working within a team environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate in Law and admission to practice in Nevada courts, or as per Supreme Court rules.
• Minimum of two years of experience as a licensed Nevada attorney.
• Strong research, writing and advocacy abilities in criminal law.

Responsibilities

• Present State’s evidence in criminal actions and argue merits of cases.
• Appear in probation, revocation, and sanity hearings; prepare briefs.
• Engage in plea negotiations and interview witnesses.
• Perform legal research and apply statutes, rules and case law.
• Advise County officials and investigators on legal questions; draft ordinances and resolutions.
• Attend trials, pre-trial lineups, arraignments and ensure accurate records.

Skills

Legal research

Trial preparation

Plea negotiations

Court appearances

Evidence assessment

Constitutional law

Communication (oral/written)

Education

Juris Doctorate in Law

Nevada bar admission

Job description

Position Summary

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.

The person in this position is responsible for providing professional legal services involved in the prosecution of criminal cases in a court in the State of Nevada. Responsibilities include evaluating investigative reports; filing criminal cases; preparing pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents; conducting legal research; examining and evaluating evidence; and prosecuting cases in the courts.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the experienced level class in this professional series, responsible for providing proficient completion of complex legal assignments. This class requires the application of seasoned judgment and latitude in completion of casework. This class is distinguished from Chief Deputy District Attorney in that the latter is a supervisory level classification. This is an at-will position which serves at the pleasure of the District Attorney.

Essential Functions

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.
• Prepares and presents State’s evidence in criminal actions to include legal arguments regarding merit; argues on behalf of the State against writs of habeas corpus, petitions for post-conviction relief and motions to suppress evidence.
• Appears on behalf of the State in probation, revocation hearings and sanity hearings; prepares and supervises the preparation of legal briefs filed on behalf of the State.
• Present plea negotiations with opposing attorneys.
• Interviews and advises complainants and witnesses in regard to prospective criminal action.
• Performs legal research and studies; interprets and applies laws, court decisions and legal points and authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions and briefs for the prosecution or the defense.
• Confers with and advises County officials, employees, and representatives on legal questions; drafts ordinances, resolutions and other legislative measures; confers with investigators regarding the collection of facts and evidence.
• Attends pre-trial police lineups; attends arraignments, preliminary hearings, hearings and trials and defends indigent clients in a variety of cases before County or State courts; dictates legal instruments, correspondence and reports.
• Maintains accurate records and files; prepares a variety of records and reports as assigned.
• 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.

Qualifications

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. Minimum of two years of experience as a licensed Nevada attorney.

Knowledge Of

Required Knowledge and Skills

• 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).

Physical Demands and Working Environment

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 accommodations 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

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• 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).
• 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.

DISCLAIMER

Churchill County provides benefits to regular employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time, regular positions (depending on job). Most part time positions provide no benefits. No Nevada state income tax

Retirement

Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada - Churchill County contributes 36.75% of an eligible Regular Member’s salary for retirement. Churchill County contributes 58.75% of an eligible Police Member’s salary for retirement. Retirement benefits are available to employees hired in positions that work 20 hours per week or more on a regular basis. Positions of less than 20 hours per week (or less than 1040 hours in a fiscal year) will receive Social Security contributions and will not be enrolled in PERS.

Deferred Compensation Plans

Employees can also participate in the VOYA 457 deferred compensation plan, which is funded by the employee. This allows the employee to save money in pre-tax dollars toward retirement.

Cafeteria Health Coverage Plan

Full-time employees’ health insurance begins the first of the month after one month of employment. (Employees must work an average 30 or more hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for health insurance coverage.) The county offers a "Cafeteria" health plan to full-time employees, which allows employees to pick and choose the best health plan for them and their family. The county offers three health plans - a base PPO plan with a $1,500 deductible, a "buy-up" PPO plan with a $750 deductible, and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a $2,700 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA), to which the county contributes $177 per month. In addition, the county also provides the following: a prescription plan, a dental plan, and a vision plan. The county currently contributes 100% of the employee premiums for the base PPO plan and the HDHP, as well as for the prescription, dental, and vision plans. Employees who elect dependent coverage pay 100% of the dependent premiums - employees can elect to have those premiums deducted in pre-tax dollars.

Vacation Leave

Full-time, regular county employees scheduled to work 40 hours per week accrue 8 hours per month of annual (vacation) leave per year. Part-time, regular county employees accrue annual (vacation) leave vacation at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked. Employees earn additional annual leave hours at 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service up to a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) per year. While on probation an employee is not granted vacation leave for the first six months; the employee still accrues vacation leave during this time and will be credited with 48 hours of vacation leave after six months of employment in their regular position.

Sick Leave

Full-time, regular county employees scheduled 10 hours of sick leave per month, with no maximum accrual. Part-time, regular employees accrue sick leave at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked.

HOLIDAYS

Regular county employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per calendar year including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Family Day (Friday after Thanksgiving), and Christmas Day. In addition, County employees are entitled to one floating holiday per year, to be used at a time agreed to by the employee and his or her supervisor. (Regular, part-time employees receive prorated holidays based on the number of hours normally worked.)

Tuition Reimbursement

Churchill County values it’s employees and empowers all employees to enhance their skills by taking job-related college courses as well as participating in job related workshops and seminars. To that end, for regular employees the county has a generous Tuition Reimbursement policy for accredited courses, reimbursing up to $1,200 per year in educational expenses.