Deputy Legal Defender, Attorney I, II or III

At Coconino County, public service matters. Our dedication to public service promotes a culture that elicits employee growth, cultivates inspiration, and creates future leaders by empowering employees to solve internal and external customer needs and exceed customer service expectations. As an award-winning organization with high regard for cultural diversity and the positive contributions of the many thriving cultures within our county, our nation, and our society, Coconino County leads a variety of initiatives that celebrate diversity; from our Annual Diversity Day, and monthly Heritage Lunch & Learns, to book clubs, and professional development academies which target diverse workforce segments. Coconino County's respect for diversity is shared throughout the organization. Be part of this optimistic, innovative team where outstanding customer service creates dynamic solutions and engages leadership at every level.  
 
The Legal Defender's Office advocates for clients in a diverse array of settings. We appear in civil, juvenile, and criminal courts. No matter the case, if the Constitution says you are entitled to an attorney, the Legal Defender handles it. The Legal Defender is a small law office of five attorneys and five support staff. We emphasize a collaborative, supportive, team-oriented approach to providing outstanding advocacy but value independent and creative problem-solving. We also encourage and accommodate healthy work-life balance. Indigent defense can be stressful. Fortunately, Coconino County provides unparalleled access to some of the world’s best recreation. We believe that attorneys are at their best when they have time to pursue their interests.

We are seeking an Attorney to handle a unique caseload. While “criminal defense” is usually the first thing that pops into one’s mind when hearing “indigent defense”, we defend important rights in other contexts. We need an attorney to protect our clients’ parental rights, right to autonomy, and right to liberty in dependency, guardianship, and civil commitment cases. This case load requires the Attorney to work closely with community members experiencing acute mental health issues, physical disabilities, and substance abuse disorders. Dependency, guardianship, and civil commitment cases also each feature their own set of statutes and rules. Thus, the Attorney must be adept at switching among each legal field, often in the course of a single day.

As a small office, we depend on each other for coverage. Consequently, we will train the Attorney on dependency, guardianship, and civil commitment advocacy and other areas of practice in the office, such as delinquency and criminal. Depending on interest and need, the Attorney may or may not receive an occasional assignment in these additional fields.

We are open to new graduates who will be licensed at the time of hire and attorneys with significant experience.

Attorneys perform prosecution functions and civil representation for the County and County Departments, legal representation for clients needing publicly assisted representation in criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency and severance of parental rights cases following appointment by the courts of Coconino County; and perform related duties as required. Advancement in classification is within the discretion of the Department Director based upon attorney performance.

Please note: 
This position is At-Will and open until filled.  

(Illustrative only)
The level and complexity of assignments vary with the level of the position; however, all classes perform the following:
• Manages caseloads, which include interviewing and advising clients on their legal rights and obligations
• Analyzes case material after investigations; conducts legal research as required
• Prepares cases for presentation in court; appears in court and represents clients or the State at court hearings
• Prepares and submits legal documents to the courts on behalf of clients or the State
• Writes, or word-processes correspondence and reports
• Maintains accurate records and files
 
Essential functions of this position include but are not limited to: driving; sitting; working with and around others; dealing with interruptions; repetitive motion (hand/wrist) for computer work; vision acuity (near) for routine office and customer service duties; hearing and speech for ordinary conversation; finger dexterity for typing and paperwork.   

Attorney I is the entry-level attorney class. Incumbents learn court procedures, office policy and the application of laws and legal procedures; and are assigned to routine cases while gaining experience. Incumbents may assist a more experienced attorney or be assigned a full and separate caseload of cases with a minimum degree of difficulty.

Coconino County may consider underfilling an Attorney I with a candidate who is in the process of obtaining their AZ State Bar license. The underfill may be hired at 5% below entry and will have up to 6 months from date of hire to obtain the AZ State Bar license.

Attorney II is distinguished from Attorney I by the greater difficulty of cases assigned and the lesser degree of supervision received. Incumbents perform legal work of increasing difficulty. (Minimum of one and one-half years of experience required)

Attorney III is distinguished from Attorney II by working under general direction on more complex and serious cases. The Attorney III level is the full working level and is reserved for attorneys with skill and experience in all areas of their assigned cases. (Minimum of three years of experience required)

Attorney IV has responsibility leading and directing a team of attorneys in addition to being a very experienced professional level attorney capable of being assigned extremely difficult cases involving the most complex factual and legal issues, including capital cases. Legal Defender's Office: May serve as acting director in the absence of the director. (Minimum of five years of experience required)

Attorney V is the most experienced professional level attorney. Incumbents are expected to handle the most serious, complex and high profile cases, including capital cases, and may be assigned responsibility for supervising and leading other attorneys. They may also assist in development and implementation of department policies and procedures. (Minimum of seven years of experience required) No more than 20 per cent of authorized attorney positions for a Department (rounded off to the next whole number) shall be Attorney V positions.

These positions are exempt from overtime.
Note: Individuals in exempt classifications as part time employees may be classified as non-exempt per FLSA law regarding minimum weekly salary requirements.

These positions are safety sensitive.

These positions are At-Will.

Public Defender, Legal Defender & Chief Deputy County Attorney positions are the administrative leaders of their respective offices. (Minimum of five years legal experience and two years supervisory experience required.)

These positions are exempt from overtime.
Note: Individuals in exempt classifications as part time employees may be classified as non-exempt per FLSA law regarding minimum weekly salary requirements.

These positions are safety sensitive.

These positions are At-Will.

LICENSE
Current active membership in the State Bar of Arizona. Possession of, or ability to attain, a valid Arizona driver's license.

Considerable knowledge of:
- Substantive law, rules of evidence, trial and court procedures, legal principles and research methods commensurate with the level of experience of the class
- Computer applications related to the work
- Standard legal office practices and procedures
- Techniques for dealing with individuals of varying races, genders, ethnicity and ages, some of whom may have physical or emotional problems and who appear to be difficult, confused or hostile

Ability and Skill in:
- Interviewing a variety of individuals and soliciting needed information to determine facts/circumstances
- Developing effective strategies for client representation
- Analyzing cases and applying legal principles
- Presenting statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form
- Presenting an effective case in court
- Managing an assigned caseload
- Preparing clear, concise, accurate and effective legal documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials
-Maintaining accurate records and files
- Using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines
- Communicating logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys and employees of various agencies and departments
- Demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy and compassion
- Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
- Working cooperatively with colleagues to accomplish the policies and goals of the office
Coconino County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.