Department: County Attorney with Felony Jurisdiction FLSA: Exempt
Classification: Full-Time Emergency Essential: Yes
Starting Pay: $92,217 Annually Emergency Phase Level: Phase 2
EEOC Category: Professionals
Starting Date: January 1, 2024
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Performs legal work necessary to effectively represent Aransas County, primarily in felony matters. Handles misdemeanor and civil matters as necessary. This is a new budgeted position.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
- Reports to: County Attorney and First Assistant.
- Directs: Directs paralegals, legal assistants, and admin assistants, may provide oversight or direction to other attorneys as assigned.
- Other: Frequent communication with outside agencies and County officials, including the Commissioners Court, the County’s department heads, the Sheriff’s Office and other elected officials, County employees, attorneys, opposing attorneys, the County Attorney and other personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Prosecutes and assists in felony cases – from intake through appellate review – including evaluating and preparing cases, reviewing arrest and search warrants, researching legal issues, preparing pleadings and briefs to the trial courts and appellate courts, and representing the State of Texas;
- Prepares indictments and presents cases to grand jury;
- Attends docket calls, conducts plea bargain negotiations, and competently represents the State of Texas in jury and non-jury trials;
- Drafts legal documents and completes paperwork which may include motions, orders, petitions, answers, interrogatories, requests for admissions, subpoenas, briefs, judgments, complaints, indictments, charging instruments, plea agreements, and more;
- Handles non-felony cases and assists with matters such as asset forfeitures, mental health commitments, protective orders, juvenile cases, misdemeanors, class C-misdemeanors in Justice of the Peace and/or Municipal Court, Child Protective Services matters, and Public Information Requests, as assigned;
- Maintains up to date knowledge of the law, promptly makes decisions, is consistently well prepared, and maintains a professional demeanor;
- Provides expert legal advice to staff and law enforcement;
- Exhibits extremely high integrity, demonstrates proper respect to the courts at all times, and maintains confidentiality at all times;
- Performs such other related duties as may be 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 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;
- Must pass UA screening and physical exam furnished by the County;
- Must pass a criminal background check.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING
Doctorate in Jurisprudence from an ABA accredited law school. Must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience as an assistant county or district attorney, city attorney, or other governmental attorney with experience prosecuting criminal cases. Experience with a broad range of felony offenses is preferred. Bilingual (English/Spanish a plus)
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED
- Must be currently licensed by the Texas State Bar
- Must be an active member and in good standing with the Texas State Bar Association
- Valid Texas Driver’s License and a good driving record
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]