HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeputy Prosecuting Attorney III - CivilJefferson County Job Description: Civil DPA III
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1. SUMMARY
JEFFERSON COUNTY
JOB DESCRIPTION
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III — Civil
Prosecuting Attorney
Exempt Professional
Exempt
2080
MGR 22
At will per RCW 36.27.040
July 17, 2024
c.
Human Resources Direcsi
1.1. The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III — Civil ("Civil DPA III") is an advanced range
attorney classification in the Civil Division of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
1.2. A Civil DPA III performs the most difficult and complex professional legal tasks in
the Civil Division, including legal opinions, analysis of legal principles, and handles
civil litigation and administrative proceedings, while maintaining the highest degree
of ethical conduct.
1.3. A Civil DPA III works under the direction of the Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney, who in turn receives direction from the Prosecuting Attorney.
1.4. A Civil DPA III may mentor or train a Civil DPA I and Civil DPA II.
2. CAREER LADDER POSTION
2.1. Civil DPA III is the senior position in the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney - Civil career
ladder. The career ladder consists of the following positions, in ascending order: (a)
Civil DPA I; (b) Civil DPA II; and (c) Civil DPA III.
2.2. A Civil DPA III may be required to perform the essential duties and responsibilities
of all steps below their step on the career ladder, but with a higher degree of skill
commensurate with their position on the career ladder.
2.3. Advancement within the career ladder requires completion of the requirements for the
next step in the ladder and a positive recommendation from the Prosecuting Attorney.
3. SUPERVISION RECEIVED
3.1. A Civil DPA III is given discretion, within the scope of policy and statutes, as
established by the Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, in the performance of
their duties. Policy direction is received from the Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney, who in turn receives direction from the Prosecuting Attorney.
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3.2. The Civil DPA III handles more tasks overall with significantly less day-to-day
supervision than a Civil DPA I or a Civil DPA II.
3.3. The Civil DPA III may be designated as the acting Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney, when the Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney is away from the County
on county business or during personal time off.
4. SUPERVISION EXERCISED
4.1. A Civil DPA III supervises support staff, as directed by the Chief Civil Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney.
4.2. A Civil DPA III may supervise a Civil DPA I or a Civil DPA II, as directed by the
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney or the Prosecuting Attorney.
5. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1. With supervision from the Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, a DPA III
prepares the defense or prosecution of civil litigation, administrative proceedings, and
child support enforcement matters, as appropriate to ensure the exercise of the
County's or State's lawful rights, including performing extensive legal research,
drafting documents, preparing arguments, attending motion and trial hearings,
interviewing of witnesses preparing civil complaints in District or Superior Court in
order to present the case of Jefferson County and the State of Washington.
5.2. Provides legal advice, assists in and participates with County personnel in civil and
administrative cases.
5.3. Works with opposing counsel to develop negotiated civil or administrative settlements
that are in the best interest of the citizens of Jefferson County.
5.4. Provides legal education to County personnel on civil matters.
5.5. Acts as Deputy Coroner, conducting death investigations as required by statute.
Responds to phone calls on 24/7 basis to address active Civil matters and coroner
cases.
5.6. Works with opposing counsel to develop negotiated settlements that are in the best
interests of the citizens of Jefferson County and the State of Washington.
5.7. Provides legal education to County personnel in civil matters.
5.8. Complies with confidentiality requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct
(RPC), including RPC 1.6, RPC 3_6, and RPC 3_8. RPC 1.6 prohibits disclosure to
any person outside of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) of information
obtained from clients, except under limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting
Attorney can approve. For purposes of this job description, "clients" are the County
and its employees, and the Port Townsend Police Department and its employees. RPC
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3_6 prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the
PAO about the investigation or communication of a matter being handled by the PAO,
except in limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. RPC
3_8 discusses the special responsibility of prosecutors in the justice system and
prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO
that could have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the
accused in a criminal case.
5.9. Performs other duties as assigned.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIRED
6.1. A Civil DPA III must maintain the confidentiality of all files, and communication
(including emails) of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO). This position must
not provide any documents to opposing party or counsel, criminal defendant, or
member of the public, unless directed to do so by a prosecutor.
6.2. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office serves as the Coroner for Jefferson County. Any
information regarding a death, whether it is obtained orally, by telephone, or through
documents in the office is confidential. A Civil DPA III must not disclose any
information, oral or written, regarding Coroner matters, unless directed to do so by
the Prosecuting Attorney.
7. PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE
7.1. A Civil DPA III must immediately report or provide to the Prosecuting Attorney, the
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, or the PAO public records liaison any
request for records of the PAO. A Civil DPA III is not authorized to respond to any
public records requests, unless authorized specifically by a prosecutor. Because
public records requests have extremely short deadlines, a Civil DPA III must report
the request as soon as it is received.
7.2. A public records request is not the same as a request for discovery in a criminal case.
Requests for discovery in criminal cases shall be handled by the Legal Technician,
Legal Assistant, Senior Legal Assistant, or Paralegal assigned to a case pursuant to
Criminal Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction 4.7, Superior Court Criminal Rule
4.7, and Superior Court Civil Rule 26, with input from a criminal prosecutor. When
in doubt, a Civil DPA III must ask the Prosecuting Attorney, the Chief Civil Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney or the PAO public records liaison.
8. REQURIED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
8.1. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential
duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the
knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
8.2. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
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8.3. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
8.4. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
8.5. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
8.6. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial
or complex topics to Courts.
8.7. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of
intellectual and practical problems.
8.8. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.)
in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete
variables.
8.9. Ability to organize complex, competing, and evolving schedule demands while
maintaining professional attitude and all meeting deadlines.
8.10. Ability to develop and maintain collegial and effective working relationships with
employees of other county departments, court staff, other members of the
prosecution team, and outside counsel.
8.11. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees of
all other departments.
9. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
9. L Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
9.2. Seven -years of experience practicing law.
9.3. Admitted to practice by the Washington State Bar for a minimum of three years.
9.4. Complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing legal education every three years and
maintain a valid license to practice law in the State of Washington.
9.5. Maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License.
9.6. Completion of Criminal Background Check is required.
10. PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
10.1. Experience in civil law areas relevant to matters typically handled by the Civil
Division of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
10.2. Experience formulating or assisting clients with formulating and implementing
polices on a broad range of issues of concern to municipalities, including legislation.
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10.3. Knowledge related to civil litigation and administrative proceedings in the Revised
Code of Washington, the Washington Administrative Code, the rules of court and
the rules of evidence.
10.4. Ability to apply regulations or rules to evolving situations that occur in
administrative proceedings, civil litigation or in a courtroom.
10.5. Trial experience.
10.6. Ability to perform independent legal research, identify and analyze legal issues.
10.7. Ability to understand unorganized facts and to order them in an understandable,
organized manner.
10.8. Ability to remain calm and organized in stressful situation or when dealing with
people experiencing stressful situations.
10.9. Ability to explain reasons for events or actions/non-actions to unreceptive or
emotionally involved listeners and to maintain the prestige and integrity of the office.
10.10. Ability to make decision that may affect the lives and property of person.
11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
11.1. 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.
11.2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk to hear. The employee frequently is required
to stand, walk, sit, and walk up and down stairs. The employee is occasionally
required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch,
or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific
vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth
perception, and ability to adjust focus.
12. WORK ENVIRONMENT
12.1. Work is performed in an open office setting which is busy and subject to tight
deadlines and exacting procedures while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive
information, and tactfully managing interactions with a wide diversity of citizens
within the legal system, including some who may be emotionally agitated.
12.2. The noise level in the work environment is commonly noisy.
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13. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
13.1. Jefferson County is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and
inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind
based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability,
genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by
federal, state, or local laws.
13.2. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including
hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence,
compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Prosecutor's Office makes
hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
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