Deputy Civil Attorney- County Attorney (0324)

Nature of Work

The Position:

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is seeking applications for a Deputy Civil County Attorney position in Flagstaff. Salary is commensurate with experience. Advancement in classification is within the discretion of the County Attorney upon attorney performance and experience.

Who We Are:

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is a public law office in Northern Arizona located in the heart of Flagstaff. We are a team of approximately 20 attorneys and 30 legal paraprofessionals who are dedicated to the vigorous and fair prosecution of crime throughout Coconino County, protection of the rights of crime victims, and effective legal representation of the County and County special districts. The CCAO is one of largest law offices in Northern Arizona and sets the example at the State and National levels in vision and design for rural attorney offices.

Our Mission:

"We preserve and protect the Community's sense of Justice and Fairness. When injustice occurs you can have confidence in us to pursue remedies that are Just; and Fair; and Reasoned; and Complete. We contribute certainty and stability to our local governments every day in the advice we deliver and the services we offer."

Our Values:

• Justice: We advocate for fair and equitable outcomes.

• Service: We value working for something bigger than ourselves.

• Trust: We inspire confidence with truth, reliability, and respect.

• Integrity: We honor our commitments, with courage.

• Connection: We invest in each other and our community.

• Excellence: We strive to be our best every day.

Our County:

Coconino County (Pop. 145,000) lies in the northern section of Arizona and encompasses a diverse landscape of mountains and high desert, national parks, including the Grand Canyon National Park, and tribal lands of the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, and Navajo Nations. It is the second largest county by area in the continental United States and contains a large part of the Coconino County National Forest, the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America. The county seat is Flagstaff, which is nestled against the San Francisco Peaks, the highest elevation in Arizona. Other communities include Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Sedona.

Our Organization:

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.

Please note:

This position is open until filled.

Applications must include a cover letter, resume and writing sample.

Typical Duties

(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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

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.

Theideal candidate will have previous experience as a civil attorney; extensive knowledge of Federal and Arizona civil statutory and case law; Federal and Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure; civil law principles and procedures and their application; rules of evidence; and principles and techniques of legal research. The ideal candidate will also have the skills and abilities to analyze and apply legal principles and practices; prepare, organize, and prosecute civil cases; interview witnesses and complainants; advocate a wide range of civil cases; prepare motions, orders, pleadings and other legal documents; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff and representatives from outside agencies. An emphasis in local government law, litigation, land use, employment law, and election law are desirable.

Preferred Qualifications include- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited and American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school(required). Must have current active membership with the State Bar of Arizona and must be in good standing, OR in the process of receiving an active membership with the State Bar of Arizona through reciprocity(required). Availability to respond to after-hour inquiries during on-call shifts (including weekends and holidays), which may require driving to remote areas of the county, as needed. Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona Driver's License at time of hire.

LICENSE

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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.