Attorney II - Early Resolution - Public Defense Services

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Job Type: Unclassified

Job Classification: 3002 - Attorney II

Salary Grade: A3

Pay Range

Pay Range: $94,494 - $179,524 Annually 

This Attorney II position will involve representing a higher volume of low-level felony cases until they resolve through plea agreements and sentencing or are transferred to a trial team and will not involve trial litigation.

For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at: www.pima.gov/pds.

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Essential Functions:  

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Prosecutes or defends the most difficult and complex criminal or civil cases, or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience and training, brought for and against the County, in State or Federal Courts;

• Manages the most demanding criminal or civil cases in public sector law or manages caseloads requiring specialized skills and experience;

• Represents County departments, boards and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters;

• Prepares ordinances, resolutions, contracts and leases for consideration by county officials;

• Prepares legal opinions and advises county officials on a variety of legal matters;

• Engages in negotiations for compromise and settlement of cases and complies with Victims’ Rights;

• Engages in pretrial, trial, post-trial and appellate practice as required by cases;

• Prepares litigation, deposes witnesses, provides witness notification, and conducts complex bench and jury trials;

• Develops, refines, and presents legal strategies, reviews legal documents, extracts relevant information, evaluates legal issues and legal system variables and negotiates agreements;

• Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues;

• Researches and drafts legal motions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents;

• Reviews, evaluates, and participates in investigations;

• Complies with all rules regulating professional responsibility;

• Upholds the values and goals of the assigned Department and County.

Minimum Qualifications:  

Juris Doctorate AND five (5) years of relevant prosecution, defense, or civil experience.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application. 
 

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Minimum five (5) years of prosecution, defense, or civil experience.

• Experience handling serious cases or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience and/or training.

• Experience with little to no supervision on serious case types handled.

• Knowledge and appropriate application of systems, policies, and procedures of Pima County (additional assessments of current and previous Pima County employees may be conducted).

Selection Procedure: 
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process. 

Supplemental Information: 

Licenses and Certificates: Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. All positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and experts in-person and/or on the phone. Regularly works in a professional office setting. Occasionally drives to conduct field work. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Occasionally remains in a stationary position. Occasionally moves about inside an office.

Working Conditions: Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position. Regularly receives and responds to telephone calls, text messages and emails. Drives to visit clients and witnesses at residence or at jail, and other locations to speak with other case involved parties.
 

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.