Attorney I

About the role

This Attorney position is in the Criminal Division. Performs difficult professional work providing legal services to the departments, agents, employees, and officers of the Wright County governmental unit; prosecuting criminal cases; and providing legal representation in civil lawsuits.

Responsibilities

• Attends meetings and provides training and consultation;
• Reviews, negotiates, and drafts contracts and agreements;
• Provides counsel for County departments in developing policies and procedures;
• Works with County officials and employees to develop and draft proposed ordinances;
• Composes legal documents to support positions on appeals;
• Develops, implements, and runs programs and procedures;
• Researches, analyzes, and interprets new legislation, statutes, laws;
• Consults, advises, and represents the County in civil matters and lawsuits brought against the County, its agents, officials and employees;
• Drafts pleadings for criminal prosecutions and prepares and prosecutes felonies, gross misdemeanors and, to the extent prescribed by law, violation of misdemeanors and municipal ordinances and rules;
• Consults, advises, and represents the County in juvenile delinquency, truancy, CHIPS (Children in Need of Protection or Services) and/or termination of parental rights petitions, and in welfare appeal and inebriety/mental illness commitments;
• Trains, advises, and develops policy for law enforcement officers, corrections workers, social workers, and other persons within the County in areas of investigation, trial techniques, criminal and civil law, strategy, and legal issues pertinent to the area of assignment, including long-term, in-depth research and legal advice regarding policy and specific information regarding time-sensitive situations;
• Acts as liaison to various boards, committees, and community groups, based on caseload assignments, recommending policy development within the County and State directing communicating and collaborating with public and elected officials and other community leaders, and researching and interpreting law for the purposes of recommending policy development.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law;
• Successfully completed the Minnesota Bar Exam and licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota;
• Licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota, Minnesota Supreme Court;
• Licensed to practice in the Federal District Court, Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota (if representing the County in that Court);
• Licensed to practice in the Federal Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals (if representing the County in that Court).

Qualifications

• Ability to pass BCA background check;
• Up-to-date status for continuing legal education, monitored by Minnesota Office of Continuing Legal Education;
• A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Skills

• Knowledge of all duties and responsibilities of the County Attorney’s Office;
• Knowledge of Minnesota statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to criminal and civil law, child support and paternity matters, and specific statutes, ordinances, regulations, and case law affecting operation of Wright County departments and court system;
• Knowledge of electronic legal research techniques;
• Knowledge of courtroom decorum and trial procedures and tactics;
• Skilled in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs;
• Analytical skills sufficient to analyze, interpret, and apply a complex and wide variety of County, State, and Federal statutes, regulations and ordinances;
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly;
• Reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and understand legal documents;
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships;
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding sensitive information;
• Ability to be persuasive with judges, juries, other attorneys, and members of the general public;
• Ability to apply legal principles and precedents and prepare and try complex civil or criminal cases;
• Ability to deal effectively with demanding/challenging individuals and individuals in crisis;
• Ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan, make decisions and successfully respond to changing circumstances;
• Ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices;
• Ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally exerts up to 25 pounds of force;
• Sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel;
• Standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions;
• Preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities;
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions;
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions.

Benefits

Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension). For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, click here.

Application Instructions

Please check the "yes" button if you have read and understand the provided supplemental questions. You will only receive credit to responses that are supported in the information you provide in your employment application. Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to competitive exam results. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive 10 or 15 preference points subject to the provisions of MN Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4).