Division Chief - DA Office

Galveston County Human Resources; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 92,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Galveston County seeks a supervisor of attorneys in the District Attorney's Office to oversee criminal litigation, jury trials, and related legal work in the Justice of the Peace and County Courts.

The role includes supervising staff, managing cases, negotiating dispositions, and conducting advanced legal research while advising executive leadership. Requires a JD and Texas bar admission with six years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from an accredited law school and admission to the Texas bar.
• Requires six years of experience in criminal litigation or jury trials.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates staff; handles performance appraisals and personnel matters.
• Manages cases in county and JP courts; screens cases and supervises jail dockets.
• Represents the State in criminal jury trials, pretrial hearings, and status conferences.
• Negotiates dispositions and discovery issues; conducts legal research on complex topics.
• Oversees plea bargains and mediates court cases; advises executive-level staff on legal issues.
• Engages in public relations and departmental training related to criminal law.

Skills

Criminal litigation

Jury trials

Legal research

Public speaking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Licensed to practice in Texas

Job description

General Description

The purpose of this class is to supervise assigned attorneys; reviews, files and disposes of criminal cases in the Justice of the Peace and County Courts; and performs other complex legal functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed. Supervises the daily operations of assigned section.
• Manages cases in county and JP courts as assigned by the District Attorney.
• Assists in screening cases and supervising jail docket.
• Represents the State in criminal jury trials, pretrial hearings, JP appeals matters, and status conferences.
• Assists in various administrative duties such as hiring committee, personnel assignments, and promotions.
• Negotiates dispositions and discovery issues.
• Performs a variety of complex, independent duties in conjunction with court trials, including performing discovery, evaluating legal theories and principles, performing research, etc.
• Coordinates with Community Supervision officers with regard to the progress of probations
• Confers with police officers to review search and arrest warrants.
• Advises and counsels executive-level employees on legal issues.
• Conducts legal research on complex legal issues as requested.
• Mediates and negotiates court cases, resolving by way of settlement as appropriate; oversees plea bargains in sensitive cases.
• Performs public relations duties for the department; speaks to civic groups and organizations.
• Provides office training regarding criminal law and other legal areas as requested.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires graduation from an accredited Law School and admitted to the practice of law in the State of Texas.
• Requires six years of experience in criminal litigation, jury trials or closely related experience.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

The work is typically performed sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects.

The work is typically performed in an office.

Emergency Preparedness Tier Level: 3

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Requires member of good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Department:

Department: District Attorney

Salary:

Salary: $108,012.00

The County of Galveston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.