Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Assistant District Attorney
Job Title: ADA – Civil Department (Felony II-B)
Department: Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Location: Kaufman County Justice Center
Supervisor(s):
Criminal District Attorney
Civil Chief
Open: Immediately
FLSA Status: Exempt
Full Time: Yes
Salary: $104,658
SB22: $5,000
Closing Date: Until filled
SUMMARY:
This is a civil Assistant District Attorney position for Kaufman County focused on government legal work supporting all county officials and departments. Job duties include advisory work (guiding county officials and department on legal issues); Litigation (handling civil cases, forfeitures, and hearings); regulatory compliance (PIA, Open Meetings Act, etc.); and policy and contract drafting. Position requires broad legal knowledge and strong multitasking, and communication skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Public Information Act Inquiries and Responses:
- Advise county officials and departments regarding the Texas Public Information Act via phone and email.
- Provide training to county officials and departments regarding PIA issues.
- Draft all responsive documents and prepare document production regarding PIA issues.
- Conduct research and assist other County departments as needed regarding PIA requests and responses.
- Handling of Asset Forfeitures:
- Interact with law enforcement agencies regarding asset forfeiture proceedings.
- Conduct research and draft all pleadings and legal documents for asset forfeiture proceedings.
- Conduct asset forfeiture hearings and trials.
- Handling of Bond Forfeitures:
- Attend bond forfeiture hearings.
- Interact with bondsmen to negotiate and settle bond forfeitures.
- Conduct legal research, update bond forfeiture procedures as needed, and assist
other county prosecutors on the Texas Bond Forfeiture group.
- County Government Inquiries (as directed by Civil Division Chief):
- Advise elected officials and county employees in core areas of the law: government, civil, constitutional, contract, employment, litigation, tax, elections, land use, health and safety, economic development, asset and bond forfeitures, Public Information Act, Open Meetings Act, real estate, land use, health and safety, economic development, tax, etc.
- Provide legal research, opinions, memos, correspondence, opinions, training and drafting assistance for elected officials and department heads.
- Recommend policies, procedures, practices, and specific actions to best deal with critical issues facing the District Attorney’s office and other County departments.
- Civil Law Cases and/or Litigation Matters (as directed by Civil Division Chief):
- Draft all pleadings, discovery, motions, and briefs.
- Conduct investigations; prepare witnesses, evidence, and discovery.
- Attend mediations, hearings, depositions, and trials.
- Coordinate, communicate with and assist outside counsel regarding pending litigation.
- Handle EEOC and WC complaints, responses, hearings, and trials.
- Commissioners’ Court Research and Drafting (as directed by Civil Division Chief):
- Conduct research and draft legal memos, orders, resolutions, and other documents necessary to assist the Commissioners’ Court and Commissioners’ Court agenda items.
- Attend Commissioners’ Court and support the Commissioners’ Court agenda.
- General Legal Duties:
- Draft contracts, memorandums of understanding, interlocal agreements, policies, procedures, and other legal documents as required.
- Perform any task needed for the Criminal District Attorney’s Office to function in an efficient and professional manner as directed by a supervising attorney, division chief, or the Criminal District Attorney.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage case load, issue list, and calendar of civil division.
- Coordinate, administer, and co-supervise the activities of support staff personnel in the civil division.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
The individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Experience: 3 to 5 years’ experience preferred – new attorneys may be considered.
- License: Texas law license; good standing with the Texas State Bar Association.
- Skills and Abilities:
- Strong legal research and writing.
- Excellent communication, organization, and public service skills.
- Ability to multi-task, perform accurate work, and meet deadlines under pressure in high volume setting.
- Maintain professionalism in the work environment and community.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Ability to gain proficiency in computerized case management systems.
- Must be mature, dependable, resourceful, and able to work independently.
- PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an exempt employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
- Required to sit, talk, and hear.
- Required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
- WORK ENVIRONMENT: Indoors, office-based, air-conditioned, and smoke-free
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply by mail, email (human.resources@kaufmancounty.net) or in-person:
Kaufman County Human Resources
Kaufman County Annex
100 N. Washington Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
Applications available at www.kaufmancounty.net or the Kaufman County Human Resources office. Job offers are contingent on successfully completing a background check and pre-employment drug test.