Assistant City Prosecutor

About the role

The Department represents the interests of the people of the City of Spokane by the timely prosecution of individuals who violate the Revised Code of Washington and the Spokane Municipal Code.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the prosecutor on assigned cases and represents the City for offenses that are filed in Spokane Municipal Court.
• Search for, interpret, and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in both written briefs and oral arguments.
• Analyze case evidence, pertinent legal decisions, and office policies to determine appropriate offers for case resolution.
• Authorize and draft criminal complaints and other legal documents in support of filing criminal charges.
• Interview and consult with involved officers, witnesses, and victims.
• Prepare and present cases at preliminary hearings including, but not limited to, pretrial, show cause, arraignment, first appearance, bench warrant recall, diversion, and administrative review hearings.
• Prepare preliminary motions, exhibits, voir dire, witness examination, cross examination, jury instructions, legal arguments, and coordinate with witnesses and victims in preparation for trial.
• Argue motions, conduct voir dire, present opening statement, present gathered evidence through witness testimony and exhibits, raise and respond to legal objections, and conduct closing argument and rebuttal at trial.
• Prepare and argue sentencing upon criminal conviction.
• Confer and negotiate with defense attorneys and/or defendants at the pre-trial stage.
• Participate in therapeutic court staffing and hearings.
• Train and supervise legal Rule 9 interns in compliance with Admission to Practice Rules.
• Work closely with City Prosecutor, Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Municipal Court and staff, defense attorneys and other City departments.
• Prepare and manage assigned conflict cases.
• Prepare, attend, and argue civil traffic and non-traffic infraction hearings.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate.

A member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.

Qualifications

Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, and the ability to learn and use other relevant technologies including the City Prosecutor's case management system.

Principles and practices of civil and criminal law including Criminal Rules of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CrRLJ), the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (IRLJ), the local court rules (SPMCrRLJ and SPMIRLJ) and the Revised Code of Washington, the rules of Evidence and the ethics rules.

Principles and practices of investigations. Methods of legal research and reporting methods, techniques and procedures.

Procedures and practices followed in special program areas such as: domestic violence, victims’ rights and driving under the influence (DUI).

Skills

Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence, and case law, and effectively present such materials in a clear and logical manner both verbally and in writing.

Apply and argue the law in specific cases.

Communicate and deal with the public, sometimes under stressful circumstances.

Conduct a high-volume caseload in a fast paced and noisy team environment.

Conduct research on complex legal problems.

Work collaboratively with colleagues.

Function effectively in an adversarial system while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and officials, the judicial branch of municipal government and the public.

Analyze and understand applicable victim's rights.

Proficiently learn and utilize Microsoft Office, Outlook applications and the City Prosecutor's case management system.

Benefits

Value In addition to a salary, The City of Spokane provides a generous benefits package valued between $24,902 - $34,218.

Insurance Benefits Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Vision Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected.

Dental Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employee and eligible dependents.

Life Insurance - Employee Only Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $150,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Flexible Spending Account The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA.

LegalShield/ID Shield Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited number of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Continued Medical/Dental Insurance Employees separating from City service have the option to continue medical and/or dental insurance benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium in addition to a small monthly administrative fee.

Retirement Benefits Spokane Employees' Retirement System The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed, permanent employees. As a participant, you contribute 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Contributions and earnings are tax-deferred. The City also contributes 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2015 become vested (eligible for a monthly benefit at retirement age) at seven years of service. Deferred Compensation Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by MissionSquare Retirement allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis. Contributions and associated earnings contributed on a before tax basis are eligible to receive City matching contributions and are tax deferred (not taxed until taken out). You can also choose to participate in the 457 Roth (after tax) contribution option. You may enroll in the 457 plan or change your contribution at any time. Minimum contribution is $15 per paycheck up to and is subject to the IRS annual limitations. The City will match employee contributions up to $120/month.

PAID TIME OFF Official Holidays The City observes seven official holidays as paid. An official holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. An official holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. The City observes Martin Luther King Jr's birthday but has not declared that day as an official holiday. For this reason, employees hired before the third Monday of January receive an additional eight hours of floating holiday time to be used in accordance with Local 270 Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions. Floating (Personal) Holidays Up to 48 hours administered throughout the year. Floating holiday hours may not be carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination. Vacation Leave Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue vacation leave. The amount of vacation earned depends on the employee's length of service - from 12 days per year for a new employee to 27 days per year after 20 years of employment. Unused vacation hours carry over each year. Sick Leave Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. Sick leave is used to cover illness or injury that prevents an employee from performing their regular job duties. Sick leave is not used for personal reasons. Sick leave is not carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination.