Criminal Attorney I-IV - County Attorney (0826)

Salary is based on experience.

About the Role

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is seeking applications for a Deputy Criminal County Attorney position in Flagstaff. Advancement in classification is at the discretion of the County Attorney based on attorney performance and experience.

About Us

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is a public law office in Northern Arizona located in Flagstaff. We are a team of approximately 20 attorneys and 30 legal staff dedicated to the vigorous and fair prosecution of crime throughout Coconino County, protection of the rights of crime victims, and effective legal representation of the County and County special districts. The CCAO is one of the largest law offices in Northern Arizona and sets the example at the State and National levels in vision and design for rural attorney offices.

Our Mission

“We serve the public by advocating for justice and empowering our community to thrive.”

Our Values

• Justice: We advocate for fair and equitable outcomes.
• Service: We value working for something bigger than ourselves.
• Trust: We inspire confidence with truth, reliability, and respect.
• Integrity: We honor our commitments, with courage.
• Connection: We invest in each other and our community.
• Excellence: We strive to be our best every day.

About Coconino County

Coconino County (Pop. 145,000) lies in the northern section of Arizona and encompasses a diverse landscape of mountains and high desert, national parks including the Grand Canyon National Park, and tribal lands of the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, and Navajo Nations. It is the second largest county by area in the continental United States and contains a large part of the Coconino National Forest, the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America. The county seat is Flagstaff, nestled against the San Francisco Peaks, the highest elevation in Arizona. Other communities include Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Sedona.

Responsibilities

• Manages caseloads, including interviewing and advising clients on their legal rights and obligations.
• Analyzes case material after investigations; conducts legal research as required.
• Prepares cases for presentation in court; appears in court and represents clients or the State at court hearings.
• Prepares and submits legal documents to the courts on behalf of clients or the State.
• Writes or word-processes correspondence and reports.
• Maintains accurate records and files.

Essential functions of this position include but are not limited to: public speaking, driving, sitting, working with and around others, dealing with interruptions, repetitive motion (hand/wrist) for computer work, vision acuity (near) for routine office and customer service duties, hearing and speech for ordinary conversation, finger dexterity for typing and paperwork.

Position Levels

• Attorney I: Entry-level attorney class. Incumbents learn court procedures, office policy, and the application of laws and legal procedures; assigned to routine cases while gaining experience. May assist a more experienced attorney or handle a full caseload of cases with minimal difficulty. Coconino County may consider underfilling with a candidate in the process of obtaining their AZ State Bar license (hired at 5% below entry, with up to 6 months to obtain the license).
• Attorney II: Distinguished by greater difficulty of cases and lesser supervision. Incumbents perform legal work of increasing difficulty (minimum of one and one-half years of experience required).
• Attorney III: Works under general direction on more complex and serious cases. Full working level for attorneys with skill and experience in all areas of assigned cases (minimum of three years of experience required).
• Attorney IV: Leads and directs a team of attorneys while handling extremely difficult cases involving complex factual and legal issues, including capital cases. May serve as acting director in the absence of the director (minimum of five years of experience required).
• Attorney V: Most experienced professional level. Handles the most serious, complex, and high-profile cases, including capital cases, and may supervise other attorneys. Assists in developing and implementing department policies (minimum of seven years of experience required). No more than 20% of authorized attorney positions may be at this level.

These positions are exempt from overtime, safety-sensitive, and at-will. Part-time employees in exempt classifications may be classified as non-exempt per FLSA law regarding minimum weekly salary requirements.

Requirements

• Current active membership in the State Bar of Arizona.
• Possession of, or ability to attain, a valid Arizona driver's license.

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Substantive law, rules of evidence, trial and court procedures, legal principles, and research methods commensurate with the level of experience.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Standard legal office practices and procedures.
• Techniques for dealing with individuals of varying races, genders, ethnicities, and ages, some of whom may have physical or emotional problems and appear difficult, confused, or hostile.

Ability and Skill in:

• Interviewing individuals and soliciting needed information to determine facts/circumstances.
• Developing effective strategies for client representation.
• Analyzing cases and applying legal principles.
• Presenting statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form.
• Presenting an effective case in court.
• Managing an assigned caseload.
• Preparing clear, concise, accurate, and effective legal documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Using sound independent judgment within established legal, policy, and procedural guidelines.
• Communicating logically and effectively with a diverse group of clients, witnesses, judges, law enforcement officials, other attorneys, and employees of various agencies and departments.
• Demonstrating patience, tact, courtesy, and compassion.
• Working safely and supporting the culture of workplace safety.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Working cooperatively with colleagues to accomplish the policies and goals of the office.

Benefits

Coconino County offers a comprehensive employee benefits package to regular employees working 30 or more hours per week (part-time employees receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis):

• Vacation/Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 10 Holidays Per Year
• Health Care Insurance
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Group Life Insurance
• Pre-Tax Deduction Plan
• Sick Leave Conversion Plan
• Personal Day Purchase Program
• Vacation Sell Back Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Wellness Program
• Long-Term Disability
• Arizona State Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-going Training Opportunities
• Free bus transportation/EcoPass bus pass

Elective Coverage:

• Dependent Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Supplemental Life (for employees & dependents)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Tax-deferred investment program
• Accidental and Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability