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General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: County Attorney

HOURS: Full-time

LOCATION: Hastings

UNION: Attorney Employee's Association

CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024

SALARY RANGE: The position level at which the offer is extended is based on the candidate's ability to meet the minimum qualifications and the candidates' relevant years of experience. The hiring ranges for the position are listed below.

* Attorney III: $95,034 - $148,490 *

* Attorney IV: $106,438 - $166,309 *

What You'll Do

Attorneys at Dakota County are assigned to handle the prosecution of criminal cases; or to provide civil legal services to Dakota County departments and provide legal representation to and on behalf of Dakota County; and other responsibilities as determined by the County Attorney. Under minimal supervision, the Attorney III/IV performs work of varied and moderately complex difficulty in civil or criminal law. Our current vacancy is within the Criminal Division of the County Attorney's Office.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

The Dakota County Attorney's Office welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The Office aims to reflect the community and clients it serves, and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school;

AND

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota;

AND

• Five years of full-time equivalent CRIMINAL trial and/or CRIMINAL appellate experience as a licensed attorney is required.
• The minimum qualifications listed above are written at the Attorney III level. You must meet these minimum requirements in order to continue in the recruitment and selection process.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Provide advice to law enforcement personnel, child protection workers, adult protection workers, and others regarding their legal authority, responsibilities, and potential liabilities associated with the investigation of criminal activity.
• Review investigative reports pertaining to criminal activity to determine the appropriateness of a criminal prosecution.
• Comply with Dakota County Attorney charging and disposition guidelines for the charging and resolution of matters referred to the office for prosecution.
• Draft complaints, petitions, warrants, motions, memoranda, findings, orders, stipulations, appellate briefs, and post-conviction memoranda in support of an investigation of criminal activity and related prosecution(s).
• Prepare assigned cases for contested hearings, trials or appellate arguments.
• Meet with victims and/or witnesses of criminal activity for the purposes of explaining law, court rules, court procedures, evidentiary rules, and case dispositions.
• Represent the State of Minnesota and Dakota County in various state and federal courts at pretrial, trial, sentencing, appellate hearings, and post-conviction proceedings related to the prosecution of criminal activity.
• Provide training for law enforcement agencies, social workers, child support officers, new county employees, and others regarding applicable developments in the law.
• Attend staff and other required meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Criminal Division Head, Assistant Division Head, or County Attorney.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-10 are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities And Work Environment

• Extensive knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, statutes, court rules effectively and efficiently represent Dakota County with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Extensive knowledge of rules of evidence.
• Extensive knowledge of Rules of Professional Responsibility.
• Ability to analyze facts in light of applicable law and evidentiary rules.
• Ability to plan, organize and present a case.
• Ability to perform work effectively, independently and in a timely manner.
• Competency in the use of computers, business software applications and Internet resources to perform essential job duties.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Work Environment

Work is primarily sedentary, although there is some walking, travel, and carrying of lightweight items such as briefcases, laptop, notebooks, and work papers. The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. May require occasional travel.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks