Prosecuting Attorney 1

Spokane County; Village of Fonda (NY); On-site; USD 78,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Spokane County seeks an Attorney 1 to perform entry-level civil and criminal legal work in lower courts under the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The role supports case handling under supervision, with opportunities to advance as competency grows.

Key duties include representing the County, conducting legal research, preparing documents, and coordinating with investigators and staff. JD required; WA Bar in good standing preferred; one year of clerking/internship experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of criminal and civil law as required for the position.
• Familiarity with judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for directing work and interacting with the public.

Responsibilities

• Represent the County or clients in court at various stages of the criminal justice process.
• Evaluate facts and evidence, perform legal research, and draft opinions or memoranda.
• Prepare, file, and respond to legal documents within prescribed timeframes.
• Coordinate with investigators, paralegals, and staff to manage dates, filings, and case investigations.
• Maintain communication with all parties involved in a case.

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Civil law knowledge

Judicial procedures

Oral & written communication

Analytical skills

Case management

Documentation

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

WA State Bar admission

Job description

Employee Type:

Regular

Department:

Prosecuting Attorney

Salary:

$77,593.91 - $94,393.34 annually

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Overtime Eligible:

No

Job Posting Date Range:

03/04/2026 - Until Filled

Job Summary

The position allocated to this class is the entry, working- level of the series, responsible for performing civil and/or criminal legal work in lower courts for the County Prosecutor or Public Defender. Work is performed within departmental policy guidelines and applicable law, under the general direction of the Department Head or Elected Official, or under the direct guidance, as needed, of a higher-level attorney. Incumbents are expected to display the ability and willingness to assume responsibility and advance rapidly to a state of functional individual competency in their assigned area. Work is reviewed for accuracy and completeness at the onset of employment; as experience is gained, less review and supervision will be provided. Positions of this class may assume the work responsibilities of a higher class for training purposes.
Promotion from Attorney 1 to Attorney 2 is determined by an affirmative recommendation of the department. Considerations include but are not limited to: demonstrated competency in all facets of the duties and responsibilities of an Attorney 1 and the ability to independently handle more complex case assignments with limited or no supervision.

Job Description

Examples of Duties:

• Assists or independently represents the County or a client in court, at various stages of the criminal justice process.
• Evaluates and analyzes the facts and evidence of cases or assignments.
• Conducts legal research and analysis, provides legal opinions or memorandums, prepares/files/responds to various legal documents and correspondence within prescribed timeframes.
• Addresses issues, questions and concerns regarding statutory procedures and requirements.
• Works with investigators, paralegals, and other administrative staff to manage court dates, filings, and case investigations.
• Maintains appropriate communication with individuals party to a case/assignment.
• Researches and stays informed of new court decisions, new laws and revised rules and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
• As an Attorney 1 (Criminal) in the Prosecuting Attorney's Office:
• As an Attorney 1 (Civil) in Prosecuting Attorney's Office:
• Note: The Elected Prosecutor maintains the discretion to reassign Deputy Prosecuting Attorney incumbents to any division within the office (e.g. Civil, Criminal Law, Family Law, etc.).

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited college or university school of law.
• Licensed to practice law, with WA State Bar Association (WSBA) membership in good standing.
  • If not yet admitted to the practice of law, candidates may be hired who possess a J.D. and have functioned as a WSBA licensed Rule 9 Legal Intern in the nine (9) months prior to their employment application date. If hired under Rule 9 status, candidates must sit for and pass the WA State Bar Examination or otherwise be admitted to the practice of law in WA State by the WSBA within a specified timeframe (not to exceed one year from date of hire) as a condition of continued employment.
• Public Defender's Office only: if not licensed to practice law in WA State, must meet the requirements under APR 8- Exception for Indigent Representation.
  • Candidate must be a member in good standing of the bar in another state and have applied and be pending approval by the WSBA under WA Supreme Court APR 3.
• One (1) year of prior experience as a law clerk or legal intern is preferred.

Selection Factors

• Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal or civil law as required by the position.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the general public and parties affected by the court and administration.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and organize facts, evidence and legal procedures and to present information orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.
• Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents and instruments.

Behavioral Standards

All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:

• Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
• Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

Total Compensation

$99,320 - $120,823 annually

Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee’s enrollment choices.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

• Benefits | Spokane County, WA