What are the responsibilities and job description for the Municipal Court Prosecutor position at City of McKinney, TX?
Summary
WORKING FOR THE CITY OF MCKINNEY
Working for the City of McKinney is more than a job. It is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It is also an opportunity to have a hand in the development of one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. That’s why we exist. Join us and start making a difference today.
OUR CORE VALUES
City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace. However, we also look after and support one another. All of us are guided by four employee-inspired values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE). We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture. All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high-performance organization (HPO).
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The focus of this position will be on (1) preventing and prosecuting violations under the McKinney Code of Ordinances; (2) preventing and prosecuting violations involving children, particularly violations that occur at school; (3) reviewing, considering, and filing criminal cases investigated and referred by the McKinney Police Department; and (4) representing the State of Texas at trials before judges and jury panels in the municipal court.
An employee in this position will, as needed, perform legal research; prepare oral and written motions; provide responses to oral and written motions; prepare complaints, pleadings, and other similar instruments; interview and prepare witnesses in anticipation of trials and hearings; consult on changes and revisions to McKinney city ordinances that may foreseeably impact proceedings in the McKinney Municipal Court; and be a resource for and partner with City of McKinney Code Enforcement, McKinney Independent School District, school resource officers, and the McKinney Police Department.
Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.
- Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
- Contribute to a positive work culture.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
- Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
- Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
- Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
- Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Reviews cases referred by the McKinney Police Department, McKinney code enforcement, McKinney Independent School District, and other law enforcement entities for legal and factual sufficiency.
- Conducts investigations, witness interviews, and evidence review to establish whether there is probable cause to file a charge.
- Performs computer assisted research of criminal histories, case statuses, contact information, and identity verification of defendants and potential witnesses.
- Advises code enforcement staff, animal control officers, school resource officers, police officers, and community partners regarding cases that are or may be filed in the municipal court.
- Partners with the Court’s juvenile case manager to formulate recommendations for the Court, judges, and community partners
- Represents the State of Texas in municipal court proceedings, including pretrial matters, hearings, and trials before judges and juries.
- Represents the State of Texas in proceedings involving children charged with fine-only misdemeanors.
- Prepares witnesses to testify in, and assembles and reviews evidence to be presented at, hearings and trials.
- Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of state statutes, local ordinances, case law, attorney general’s opinions, and state and federal administrative regulations impacting cases that are or may be filed in the municipal court
- Demonstrates highly effective trial skills including jury selection, trial strategy, evidence preparation and presentation, objections and responding to objections, and opening and closing argument.
- Drafts complaints, motions, memoranda, and other documents or forms for use by the municipal court, for presentation in court, and for use by the McKinney Police Department, by McKinney code enforcement officers, and by other community partners.
- Conducts legal research of state statutes, local ordinances, case law, and administrative regulations.
- Prepares ordinances, resolutions and other regulations related to cases that may be filed in the municipal court.
- Advises and assists court personnel regarding difficult citizen interactions and policies and procedures for proper filing and documentation of cases.
- Receives and responds to attorney and citizen requests and inquiries.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Perform other duties as assigned or directed.
PROFILE OF A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Analytical; takes initiative; flexible; steadfast; entrepreneurial; organized; engaging; persuasive; collaborative, self-motivated, self-managed.
Some of the demands of this position (e.g., legal research, case review, trial preparation, and conducting trials) are consistent with those traditionally associated with a prosecutor. Other demands, such as working with city departments, code enforcement officers, and school officials to address problems before any formal charges are filed, are less well established.
This position is ideal for a candidate who can identify problems, formulate objectives, and demonstrate leadership in forging consensus and marshaling resources to address those problems and achieve those objectives. A person who needs to have their objectives identified for them or who does not take ownership of achieving objectives will not find this position rewarding. The most effective candidate will be someone who can clearly and effectively communicate person-to-person, in informal or ad-hoc groups, and in front of larger groups in more formal settings.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND BEHAVIORS
- Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
- Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, and people to whom service is provided.
- Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
- Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
- Ability to work independently, to develop and sustain relationships both within the City of McKinney and with outside organizations.
- Ability to set objectives and take ownership of achieving those objectives.
- Knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal court proceedings.
- Knowledge of civil and criminal prosecution procedures and techniques.
- Ability to maintain the highest ethical and professional standards expected of an attorney representing the State of Texas; ability to organize and present facts and supporting logic; ability to ascertain factual information from conflicting or purposely inaccurate data; ability to communicate professionally and effectively with hostile, abusive or irrational individuals; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of applicable municipal, state, and federal laws.
- Knowledge of criminal law principles, legal theory, and terminology.
- Knowledge of state and municipal ordinance prosecution principles.
- Knowledge of court methods and procedures.
- Knowledge of trial techniques and procedures.
- Knowledge of rules of evidence and related procedures.
Required Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the below Minimum Qualifications may be an acceptable substitute.
The successful candidate must be a graduate of an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Texas. Excellent written and oral communication skills are a must. Preference will be given to individuals with prosecution and trial experience.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Must pass a drug screen and background check.
- Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License.
Physical Demands/Supplemental
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly attends emotionally charged and/or hostile meetings and may be exposed to violence.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The City offers a full complement of benefits:
Health Insurance
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Medical and Childcare Account (FSA)
- Mental Health Care and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- City-paid and Voluntary Life Insurance
- City-paid and Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Insurance through Aflac
- Legal Services through Legal Shield
- Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
- Wellness Program (earn up to $600 per year)
- Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
- Mandatory 7% employee contribution
- City match 2:1
- 5 year vesting
- Retire after 20 years of service, or age 60 with 5 years of service
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans
- Paid Vacation (80 hours per year for new hires; tiered increases after 2 yrs)
- Sick Leave (135 hours per year for yourself and immediate family)
- Paid Parental Leave (80 hours for birth, adoption, or placement of a child in foser care)
- Ten Paid Holidays
- Personal Day
- Optional compensatory time for hourly employees
- Compensatory time for salaried employees
Salary : $600 - $10,000
