Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

The Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney plans, organizes, directs, evaluates, and continuously improves the overall administration of either: 

• District Court, Juvenile, and Felony Divisions, or 
• Civil and Child Support Divisions,

and assists in the overall administration and management of the Prosecuting Attorney’s (PA’s) office in order to achieve goals aligned with department, County, and PA’s strategic objectives. This position oversees the legal operations of the assigned division including resources and employees according to current department and County practices, in order to provide professional civil or criminal legal services to the citizens of Franklin County. 
 
This position may serve as the Franklin County Risk Manager, who develops and administers Franklin County’s Risk, Safety, and Loss Control programs including managing a County-wide safety committee and serves as the County’s alternate director for the Washington Counties Risk Pool.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB
ALL DIVISIONS

• Screens cases and coordinates staff assignments. Researches, documents, negotiates with defense attorneys, prepares briefs, and prosecutes complex, high profile, or major cases, according to current department and County practices.
• Provides case management assistance to Deputy Attorneys in defining issues, negotiating, and developing trial strategy.
• Provides legal advice and information to County departments, elected officials, and civic groups using verbal presentations and written documentation. May present information before the court, the Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, or in administrative hearings.
• Pursues self-development and continuing personal development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.
• Oversees the creation, development, and maintenance of systems and records including case files, lists, logs, and other recordkeeping systems utilizing computerized and manual systems that provide for proper evaluation, control, and documentation of assigned operations, according to current department and County practices.
• Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and makes improvements to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the case management standards, processes, policies, and procedures.
• Plans, organizes, directs work assignments/schedules, evaluates progress, and shifts priorities for the programs, plans, requirements, and administration of the assigned case management in accordance with related codes, ordinances, regulations, laws, and County guidelines, ensuring work is completed in a safe, efficient, and timely manner, according to current department and county practices.
• Evaluates and communicates consistent and timely performance feedback, coaching, performance evaluations, and improvement plans to employees in the assigned division(s) including 1-3 Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys. Identifies, coordinates, or provides training or development activities as needed to enhance employee’s effectiveness.
• Assists with the development, administration, monitoring, and documenting of an accurate, realistic, and fiscally sound budget and fiscal operations for the PA’s office ensuring alignment with department goals and objectives and in compliance with County standard practice.
• In the absence of the PA or at their request, serves as staff representative and represents the PA’s office, approves decisions, requests, expenditures, and makes recommendations according to agreed guidelines and policies. Provides backup and support to other department staff and divisions in the PA’s office. 
• Coordinates department activities with other County departments and outside government agencies.
• Monitors, reports, interprets, communicates, and recommends, makes, and/or leads changes to policy, procedures, or programs due to new trends, innovations, federal, state and local rules, laws, regulations, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to the assigned area of operations. 

 
RISK MANAGER

• Develops and shares safety and liability training for all employees and provides information and general administration of compliance standards, according to current department and County practices. Monitors, evaluates, and provides information and impact assessment on changes in safety and liability regulations to County departments.  

 
CIVIL DIVISION

• Plans, directs and coordinates comprehensive legal services for the County including the drafting and review of letters, ordinances, contracts, resolutions, policies and other legal documents enacted by the County, to be compliant,  clarify intent, and  minimize county liability.
• Provides legal advice on civil matters and representation in litigation.

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Expert knowledge of modern principles, methods, and practices in criminal and/or civil law and related local statutes, ordinances, case law, and procedures as well as advanced knowledge of the duties, powers, limitations, and responsibilities of the PA’s Office. 
• Expert knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation and advanced knowledge of judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
• Proficient knowledge of industrial safety and liability claims management for both Worker's Compensation claims and third party claims against the County and advanced knowledge of the insurance industry. (Civil Division)
• Expert knowledge of Franklin County business and financial acumen and the application and interpretation of Franklin County policies and procedures and federal, state, and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to area(s) of assignment, according to current department and County practices. 
• Expert knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools, equipment, and technology as they relate to area(s) of assignment according to current department and county practices. 
• Proficient knowledge of principles and practices of management as applied to supervision, training, performance evaluations, program planning, staffing, budgeting, coordination, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, operational needs, and staff development.
• Proficient knowledge of principles and practices of governmental fiscal management including budget preparation, expenditure control, and sound record keeping. 
• Expert skill in analyzing complex legal problems, applying legal principles, and planning case strategies.
• Expert time management and mental and physical organization skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.
• Expert computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, the internet for research, and the ability to develop proficient skills in County-wide and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office software or systems.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment and discretion and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and/or confidential information.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely and to express ideals and recommendations effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgement. 
• Ability to lead the division and assigned staff by remaining open to new ideas and approaches,  managing change, solving problems and making decisions, managing politics and influencing others, taking risks and innovating, setting vision and strategy, managing the work, demonstrating commitment to staff development, communicating information and expectations often and openly,  enhancing business skills and knowledge, understanding and navigating the organization, and creating a feeling of succeeding and failing together. 
• Ability to effectively present information, findings, proposals, training, or other information to a variety of audiences by clearly articulating, engaging the audience, assessing the needs of the audience, and using appropriate materials to help audience understand the message.
• Ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments and caseloads to meet deadlines, and communicate changes and progress to staff, remaining calm during emergency situations. 

 
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

• Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, a typical office environment.

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
The person in this position must be able to 

• spend the following amount of time in an activity: 
  • constantly: sit for extended periods of time, talk or hear; use hands and/or fingers to handle, feel, or operate equipment or tools, 
  • frequently: walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, or crouch, and
  • occasionally: stand, climb, pull, push or balance. 
• carry or transport up to 10 pounds frequently, up to 25 pounds occasionally. 
• have peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and have close vision (1-20 inches) and distance vision (20 feet or more).

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor Degree.
• Three years’ experience as a senior prosecuting attorney preparing and prosecuting both criminal and civil cases. 

OR 

• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

 
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience as a Senior Prosecuting Attorney in Franklin County.

 
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier.  Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.
• Valid driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Washington.

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER:
The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

Salary : $108,243 - $145,246