Deputy Attorney General II/III/IV

Section: Environmental Crimes Section/Criminal Law Division

Also handles cases for the Criminal Prosecutions Section

Class: Deputy Attorney General II/III/IV

Location: Erie

Telework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union

Work Hours: 8:30 5:00

Salary Range: DAG II: Pay Range 9 Starting salary of $73.722

DAG III: Pay Range 10 Starting salary of $84,264

DAG IV: Pay Range 11 Starting salary of $96,333

Basic Function

This Deputy Attorney General position is an advanced prosecutor position in the Office of Attorney Generals Criminal Law Division.

The Environmental Crimes Section investigates and prosecutes violations of Pennsylvanias environmental statutes and regulations. This can include the Clean Streams Law, the Solid Waste Management Act, and the Oil and Gas Act, among others. Many of the cases this section handles come as referrals from a district attorneys office or from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The Criminal Prosecutions Section investigates and prosecutes a complete spectrum of crimes ranging from the simplest of misdemeanors, to complex corrupt organizations and conspiracies, to first-degree murder cases. Many of the cases this section handles come as referrals from a district attorneys office due to a lack of resources, or an actual or apparent conflict of interest on the part of the district attorney or their office.

This attorney position is responsible for all phases of prosecution including making charging decisions, arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial conferences, pretrial motions and hearings, trials (bench and jury), posttrial motions and hearings, and sentencing hearings. The attorney is responsible for maintaining contact with victims throughout the aforementioned stages of proceedings. An intimate knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure is necessary to perform these duties. While a strong science background is not required, a willingness to learn chemistry and other scientific principles is necessary. As a Deputy Attorney General II (DAG II) gains experience, work increases in complexity and is performed with more independence. A Deputy Attorney General III (DAG III) works independently on most matters, while a Deputy Attorney General IV (DAG IV) works independently except in extraordinary cases. A willingness to travel is an essential part of this position.

• Develops investigative plans based upon the nature of the matter to be investigated (simple/complex) in conjunction with assigned agents
• Directs investigations, determining what investigative steps to take and investigative tools to use to achieve an appropriate/just investigative outcome
• Monitors investigations, assessing progress and adjusting investigative strategies when needed
• Keeps supervisor informed of the progress and potential outcome of investigations
• Determines, along with agents and in consultation with superiors, whether to pursue a prosecution
• Prepares, reviews, and approves charging documents in conjunction with agents if prosecution is pursued
• Represents the Commonwealth post arrest and throughout all stages of the criminal prosecution including arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial conferences, pretrial motions and hearings, trials (bench and jury), posttrial motions and hearings, and sentencing hearings
• Answers routine correspondence
• Performs additional and related work as required

Deputy Attorney General II:

Deputy Attorney General III:

Deputy Attorney General IV:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and six years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work