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- Purpose of the Job
The purpose of this position is to oversee the procurement process for indigent legal services contracts for Gila County in accordance with Arizona Law and monitor compliance of approximately twenty-five contracted attorneys with their contractual obligations. Counsel for Indigent Legal Services is responsible for the overall operation, administrative functions, process, staff and budget for the Office.
- Essential Duties and Responsibilities
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Regularly assigns work to contracted legal services providers and monitors related activities.
Manages and monitors contracted legal services providers. Oversees discharging contracted legal services providers, disciplinary actions of contracted legal services providers, hiring contracted legal services providers, handling contracted legal services providers grievances, coaching of contracted legal services providers, training of contracted legal services providers, evaluating contracted legal services providers performance and scheduling work hours of contacted legal services providers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
TIME SPENT
- ·Procures legal services including legal counsel, investigators and/or experts as deemed necessary and appropriate for the provision of court appointed legal services in accordance with Arizona Law.
- ·Oversees all activities related to the provision of indigent legal services pursuant to statutory and constitutional requirements; formulates office policies and procedures; monitors case assignments to provide equity among contracted counsel for each area of representation.
30%
- Represents clients in Superior Court and Justice Court, appears at scheduled hearings and trials, presents oral arguments as appropriate in support of clients’ legal interests; discusses and presents the analysis of legal issues to clients, court personnel and related individuals; communicates with clients, opposing counsel and co-workers.
- Facilitates case preparation, legal analysis, trial strategy, ethical considerations and coordinates legal support staff; interviews and confers with witnesses and oversees the issuance of subpoenas; prepares cases for trial; negotiates plea agreements with opposing counsel. Conducts legal research; gathers and complies evidence; identifies records and other information required to present the case; prepares and presents memoranda of law, briefs and other legal documents as required and ordered by the court.
30%
- Observes court hearings to monitor and evaluate the performance of contracted counsel, reviews briefs, motions and memoranda and/or case files as needed and determines whether to approve the appointment of experts and/or private investigator(s) upon request by contracted counsel.
20%
- Assures the appropriate creation, maintenance, dissemination and disposition of manual and computer-based records of case and office activities, as required by law, rule, regulation or technical standards of the courts, the County and other State and Federal agencies; assures maintenance of appropriate security and confidentiality of materials and information encountered or created by staff in the course of assigned duties.
20%
- Performs other duties as assigned.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES
This position reviews, approves for submission and presents the departmental budget.
PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides project resource allocation based on pre-approved resources involving process improvement projects.
ORAL COMMUNICATION DUTIES
This position trains colleagues, explains County procedures or processes, speaks with the media, conducts meetings, gives presentations and provides advocacy before the courts.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION DUTIES
This position creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails, procedures, policies, guidelines, formal letters and court pleadings or motions.
INTERACTIONS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Interacts extensively with contracted legal services providers, employees, customers, the general public, vendors, regulatory bodies, and other groups and/or individuals and Institutions over the telephone, by email, and/or in person.
INTERACTIONS SPECIFICALLY WITH CUSTOMERS
Regularly (More than 55% but less than 70% in a year)
- Minimum Education/Directly Related Experience Required
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED
Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
MINIMUM YEARS OF DIRECTLY RELATED EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Ten (10) years’ experience in criminal trial practice, including three (3) years supervisory experience.
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS REQUIRED/PREFERRED
Must be licensed by the Bar to practice law in the State of Arizona, remain active with all Arizona Bar annual requirements and maintain a clear criminal record.
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
- Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
English language and composition; law and government; law enforcement; education. Legal principles and practices; Arizona and Federal case law; civil and criminal law principles and practices; felony, misdemeanor and juvenile prosecution methods and practices; civil defense/prosecution strategies and processes; methods, materials and references utilized in legal research; general supervisory principles and practices; professional ethics in the practice of law; techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; principles and practices associated with Mental Health matters; Gila County Rules, Policies and Procedures.
SKILLS REQUIRED
Analytical thinking; critical thinking; analytical writing; communicating diplomatically; persuading and influencing; negotiating; problem recognition; problem solving;researching and identifying legal issues; interpreting and applying complex criminal laws to information, evidence and other data compiled; utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research and on-line systems; effective oral and written communication; establishing and maintaining effective working relations with contracted legal services providers, other County employees, Gila County Administration and Court personnel.
ABILITIES REQUIRED
Fully and quickly comprehend spoken words; express one's self orally; express self through written words; speak clearly and sensibly; consider options, risks and benefits.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Regularly sits or stands in the courtroom to observe proceedings and/or respond to inquiries from the court.
- Regularly sits to perform duties prescribed by this position.
- Regularly lifts under 10 lbs, up to 75 lbs. of work related materials or equipment.
- Constantly requires dexterity for keyboard operation; rarely requires dexterity for special gadgets.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Incumbents in this position constantly spends time in office environment, reception areas and courtrooms.
SAFETY RISK EXPOSURE
Incumbents in this position may become exposed to telephone verbal abuse by emotional clients, victims and/or members of the public, physical danger, and/or in-person verbal abuse in the course of performing prescribed duties.
PROTECTIVE GEAR & SAFETY MANUALS
Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department.
CONSEQUENCES OF ERROR
Potential errors can have legal ramifications, loss of funding, loss of organization's credibility.
- $101,808 - $127,260/year
