Assistant City Attorney I – City Prosecutor’s Office

The City of Everett is accepting applications for the appointive position of Assistant City Attorney I in the City Prosecutor’s Office.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the City Attorney, and/or the Lead Prosecutor, assist in performing a wide variety of professional legal duties which include providing services for all departments and governing bodies of the city as directed by the City Attorney.  Responsibilities involve handling a variety of civil and criminal law issues, including preparing and trying cases, contested administrative hearings, drafting resolutions and documents and rendering legal opinions. This position is in the criminal division and will have significant emphasis on prosecution of criminal cases including DUI, domestic violence, and other misdemeanor charges. Work is reviewed through inspection of casework, records and documents, and through periodic conferences.  

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as a prosecuting attorney for the City; prepare and try cases both with and without juries, prepare for and represent the City at a variety of hearings including out-of-custody arraignments, in-custody arraignments, review and show cause hearings, motions, appeals, contested hearings and impound hearings.
• Perform legal research and prepare opinions on various legal problems for City Prosecutor, City Attorney and City departments or officials.
• Review law enforcement incident reports for legal sufficiency to file criminal charges, make charging decisions, and prepare cases for charging.
• Interview civilian and law enforcement witnesses.  Negotiate cases with defense counsel.
• Prepare and draft memos, charging documents, briefs, correspondence and other legal documents and instruments for various City departments; review legal documents for compliance with legal requirements.
• Provide analysis and response to legislative developments and City and public inquiries.
• Perform related work and special projects as assigned.
• Conducts legal research and prepares opinions on matters requested by the City Attorney.
• Maintain current information on changes in statute and case law.
• Provide training to Police Department on legal updates and Domestic Violence matters.
• Coordinates with other departments on enforcement actions assigned to the Criminal Division.
• Perform related work and special projects as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Criminal and civil law procedures, rules and terminology.
• Criminal and civil court procedures and rules.
• Criminal prosecution experience.
• Case file preparation and documentation.
• Trial techniques.
• City, state and federal laws, codes, and regulations.
• Effective methods of legal research.
• Municipal government structure and function.
• Intra-governmental and inter-governmental relationships.
• Modern office practices, procedures, equipment and software applications.
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives.

Skill Level:

• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other departments and city staff, city officials and the public.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Proficient research and documentation skills.
• Proficient in the use of all office equipment including personal computers and related software applications.
• Proficient in the identification of problems, analysis of alternatives and providing sound recommendations.

Ability to:

• Exercise a high degree of independent and discretionary judgment, problem solving and decision making relating to assigned duties.
• Work with City representatives on complex legal and policy issues in a public setting where different objectives and/or adversarial viewpoints may exist.
• Negotiate settlements in a variety of circumstances.
• Represent the city at contested hearings and trials.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Review and evaluate complex data and make appropriate recommendations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other city staff, and the public and relate to others in a courteous and respectful manner.  Interact with others utilizing tact, patience and courtesy.
• Handle confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility.
• Establish and maintain an accurate, complete and confidential record-keeping system.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare legal documents and ordinances.
• Use judgment and initiative in carrying out operations within a general set of rules, regulations, and legal prescriptions.
• Attend and participate at evening meetings.
• Attend and participate in court proceedings.
• Maintain a work environment free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
• Support diversity and multi-cultural understanding in the workplace.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate efficiently.
• Work safely and in compliance with Federal and State laws, city policy and standards.
• Review and evaluate complex data and make appropriate recommendations.
• Prepare and make presentations in a persuasive manner to various audiences.
• Represent the city in court and administrative hearings, including arraignments, motions, hearings, contested hearings and trials.

For a full description of this position, please see the class specifications on the City’s website for Assistant City Attorney I. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

A combination of education and related experience may substitute for education requirements.

• Law degree and
• 0-2 years experience in professional legal work preferred and
• Admission to the Washington State Bar Association. 
• Candidates who are APR9 eligible and anticipate Law Degree and Bar admission within 12 months are encouraged to apply.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

All interested applicants are required to submit:

• City of Everett online employment application
• A Cover Letter
• A Resume

Candidates will be contacted throughout this process via email and should periodically check their spam folders for messages filtered by their email providers. 

PROCEDURES/DEADLINE

Application materials may be accessed via http://www.everettwa.gov/careers. Completed applications must be submitted through the City’s online application system.  INCOMPLETE, FAXED, OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

Filing Opens: January 31, 2025 

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

APPOINTIVE

D250xx

Salary : $6,937 - $9,018