Department: County Attorney with Felony Jurisdiction
FLSA: Exempt
Classification: Full-Time
Starting Pay: $101,790.66
Emergency Essential: Yes
Emergency Phase Level: Phase 2
EEOC Category: Professionals
Starting Date: December 1, 2023
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Assistant County Attorney-Civil provides support to the County Attorney in performing all duties related to representation of the County or County officials in civil litigation, tort claims, civil rights claims/Section 1983 litigation, employment claims and more, including mediations, trials, and appeals.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: County Attorney
Supervises: Office Manager/Civil Paralegal, Contracts and Procurement Specialist
Other: Frequent communication with outside agencies and County officials, including the Commissioners Court and its department heads, elected officials, County employees, attorneys, the County Attorney, the public, and other County Attorney Office Employees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Primary Responsibilities: represents Aransas County at meetings, in negotiations, and in litigation; provides legal advice to County officials and employees; works closely with all departments to ensure practices and policies are proper;
- Performs duties as assigned, which may include but are not limited to the following matters: mental commitments; guardianships; child protective services; civil protective orders; Public Information Requests and responses; asset forfeitures; bond forfeitures; expunction and non-disclosure petitions; civil litigation and appeals;
- Conducts legal research and analysis, and drafts legal opinions and pleadings;
- Serves as a liaison between the County and outside counsel;
- Reviews physical evidence, interviews witnesses, prepares trial exhibits, files motions and briefs, selects juries, drafts arguments, and tries cases;
- Conducts negotiations and other legal discussions with opposing counsel, including pre-trial legal issues and discovery issues;
- Reviews and assists in drafting ordinances, orders, proclamations, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc.;
- Reviews documents prepared by other agencies or parties;
- Attends meetings at the request of the County Attorney;
- Provides training for the Commissioners Court, law enforcement, boards and commissions, and other groups as assigned;
- Maintains up to date knowledge of the law, promptly makes decisions, is consistently well prepared, and maintains a professional demeanor;
- Exhibits extremely high integrity, demonstrates proper respect to the courts at all times, and maintains confidentiality;
- Performs related projects as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The successful candidate shall have knowledge of:
Criminal Justice and Legal System – knowledge of legal terminology, criminal proceedings, courtroom procedures, and the legal system. Understands and implements the Texas Rules of Evidence, the Constitution of the United States and the State of Texas, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Texas Family Code, and the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Clerical – knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Office Work – knowledge of appropriate customer service including in person assistance and telephone and email etiquette; familiarity and proficiency with office machines including copiers and facsimiles.
Computers and Software – proficient personal computer skills including e-mail, record keeping, database activity, spreadsheets, formulas, word processing, and more.
Skills/Abilities:
- Exhibit a strong work ethic with a commitment to ethical representation, prosecution, and legal practice;
- Possess excellent trial advocacy skills;
- Proficiently utilize electronic legal research resources, understand and interpret legal processes and procedures, accurately draft legal documents, and effectively present legal arguments in court;
- Manage a considerable docket of active cases and consistently satisfy deadlines in the face of competing time demands;
- Communicate clearly and effectively during interactions with others even when the other person may be highly agitated, emotional, or anxious;
- Be able to assist and support others, work well under pressure, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
- Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, possess strong typing and computer skills, and demonstrate great attention to detail;
- Operate computer using standard word processing, data inquiry, date entry and spreadsheet software packages;
- Adhere to departmental policies, rules, regulations, and procedures;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships;
- Type at least 50 words per minute;
ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
The Assistant County Attorney – Civil must possess a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from an ABA accredited law school. They must also have at least three (3) years of experience in the office of a county attorney, district attorney, city attorney, other governmental attorney, or experience working in civil litigation in relevant areas of the law. Experience with a broad range of civil matters is strongly preferred. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
LICENSES AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING REQUIRED
- Must be currently licensed by the Texas State Bar to practice law and in good standing.
- Must pass a pre-employment UA screening and physical exam furnished by the County;
- Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION
The physical and mental activities and requirements listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position.
Finger dexterity: Manual dexterity sufficient to work with the fingers.
Visual Abilities: Normal vision, with or without corrective lenses.
Physical Strength: Sedentary physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of administrative nature. May frequently bend, kneel, walk, stand, and reach. May occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or move object weighing up to 25 lbs. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally. Extensive sitting. Frequent use of arms, hands, and fingers to reach, handle, touch, and feel.
Language/Comprehension: Ability to read and interpret statutes, regulations, ordinances, legal pleadings, and other business documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints effectively and professionally.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram forms and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Mathematics Ability: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages.
WORK SCHEDULE/HOURS
Regular schedule is eight (8) hour shifts for five (5) days each week, Monday – Friday, typically from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm., with occasional evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed.
WORK CONDITIONS
Work will take place in a well-lit, heated and/or cooled indoor office with adequate ventilation. The office environment will generally have a moderate noise level.
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
- The County Attorney’s Office is running smoothly and efficiently;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the legal system and the operations of the County Attorney’s Office;
- Demonstrated knowledge of drafting and filing documents with the courts;
- Effective working relationships with County staff, victims, defendants, outside counsel, law enforcement officers, and the general public;
- Employee understands and adheres to County’s policies;
- The County’s professional reputation is maintained.
APPLICATIONS
To be considered, interested candidates must submit an Employment Application online through Aransas County Human Resources at https://www.aransascountytx.gov/main/employment.php
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Resumes may be emailed to:
Desiree Upton, Human Resources Director – [email protected]