ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY I, II, III or IV

POSTED: Friday, February 16, 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position will remain open until filled. AA/EO

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prepares and presents criminal cases in State Courts involving applicable statutes and ordinances which include every degree of felony offense, up to and including First Degree Murder, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and petty misdemeanors. Represents the County and State in Federal Court (civil and criminal).
• Performs research on legal issues, prepares memoranda of law and briefs in pending cases, as well as bail recommendations, criminal complaints, other required pleading or legal documents, jury instructions, proposed orders, and formal briefs for appeals.
• Independently prepares all levels of felony cases for trial, including assisting in the investigative process, conducting grand jury investigations and indictments, preparation of witness testimony including the development of expert witness testimony as necessary, and opening and closing arguments. Provides daily advice to local law enforcement agencies on investigative techniques and procedures.
• Provides legal counsel and furnishes written legal opinions to the County Board, County Coordinator, department heads, County Commissions appointed by the County Board (Park and Recreation, Human Rights Commission, etc.) and other County officials, including law enforcement officers.
• Prepares and reviews search warrants for law enforcement officers.
• Represents the County in all types of juvenile cases, including misdemeanor through felony delinquency proceedings, child in need of protection and service petitions, and termination of parental rights petitions.
• Provides legal representation in tax cases in State Tax Court.
• Required to be licensed in Federal court and on-call over evenings, weekends and holidays for purposes of providing legal guidance to Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, social services and other regulatory agencies (on-call duty includes preparation of search warrants, probable cause holds and criminal complaints).
• Provides training for law enforcement officers in the County; conducts seminars for law enforcement POST training through Minnesota County Attorney’s Association.
• Provides training for child support staff.
• May do legislative lobbying and drafting on criminal law issues. Provides legal work for county real estate closings and transactions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and moderate experience preparing legal documents, performing legal research, prosecuting cases, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of civil law, including real and personal property law, constitutional, statutory rules and case law related to municipal law and the exercise of powers by political subdivisions.
• Knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota State Tax Court Rules and Procedures.
• Knowledge of Minnesota Rules of Professional Responsibility, Minnesota Rules of Evidence, Minnesota Commitment Act and Commitment Procedure and Rules, Administrative Procedure Act and Rules.
• Knowledge of local zoning ordinances, environmental codes, and State Land Use Planning Statutes.
• Knowledge of Animal Cruelty and Neglect and related statutes.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal law including search warrant preparation and execution, litigation, trial procedures and tactics.
• Knowledge and practical application of Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, including advice and rulings for all county agencies.
• Knowledge of victim rights statutes, victim services, and ability to empathize with victims of crime.
• Knowledge of county ordinances and State and Federal laws including accepted legal or court interpretations and Supreme Court decisions.
• Knowledge of the organization, functions and legal limitations on the authority of the various County departments.
• Knowledge of specified areas of law, including juvenile delinquency statutes and case law, child protection, child sexual abuse, substantive criminal law and criminal procedure, judicial commitment statutes and law.
• Knowledge of computer research techniques.
• Skill in trial procedures and tactics and the ability to exercise independent and sound legal judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, organize and present facts, evidence, and existing statutory and case law.
• Ability to determine the limits of actions available to opponents and the probable course of action of opponents in court cases.
• Ability to negotiate settlements.
• Ability to draft legislation, ordinances and county procedure manuals.
• Ability to maintain a regular and timely work attendance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, court and legal representatives, defendants, law enforcement, other County staff, witnesses, and the general public.
• Regular and timely work attendance.

Physical Requirements and Activity

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing and walking and occasionally requires reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions.

Sensory Requirements

Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.

Sensory Utilization

Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data.

Environmental Conditions

Work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

A fully completed Isanti County Online Application and resume must be received by Human Resources by the closing date and time listed on the posting. Any materials received after the closing date and time will not be considered.

The application will be evaluated in a Training and Experience Assessment worth 100 points. Veterans Preference will be applied in accordance with Minnesota law. A score of 80 or better is necessary to continue in the process. A top group of qualified applicants will be invited to the interview process.

Final appointment is contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation including a criminal history search. Costs of the background will be paid for by Isanti County.

The statements in this class description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

To view the available insurance and benefit options, click here.

Mission
Working Together to Deliver Quality Services that are Valued by the
Community, Today and Tomorrow