Assistant district attorney job description

Future Prosecutors: Fall Class 2023


Nassau County was named the "Safest Community in America" by U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year. This distinction is not a coincidence - it is the direct result of the superb work of the talented, well-trained prosecutors at the Nassau County District Attorney's Office.

With more than 200 lawyers and a total staff of nearly 430, the Nassau DA's Office is one of the largest DA's Offices in the country. Because of our proximity to New York City, we enjoy a unique blend of suburban idyll (miles of oceanfront beaches, hundreds of parks and award-winning schools) and easy access to NYC's robust cultural, nightlife and restaurant scenes.

Members of our legal staff are provided with training, mentorship and ongoing opportunities for professional development. In our collegial and collaborative environment, new Assistant District Attorneys will cultivate a professional home within the world of criminal justice and enjoy a rewarding and exciting position. Every Fall, we welcome a diverse class of new Assistant District Attorneys, recruited and selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide. These new prosecutors all bring with them passion and talent for courtroom advocacy and litigation, a commitment to pursuing justice and the ability to provide support to crime victims in need. Our Assistants choose to work in Nassau County because of its safety and vibrancy, and their own dedication to preserving that environment for all its residents.


Are you ready to join our pursuit of justice and serve our community as an Assistant District Attorney in the Fall 2023?


Ideal candidates will have:

• strong academic credentials
• a demonstrated commitment to public service and criminal law (e.g., Moot Court/Mock Trial, trial advocacy and/or clinical program)
• excellent verbal, writing and critical thinking skills
• leadership abilities (e.g., confidence, integrity and ethics, motivation to achieve, time management skills)
• maturity (e.g., empathy, good judgment, strong work ethic)
• interpersonal and teamwork skills

Each seat in the Fall class is highly competitive. All applications are thoroughly reviewed, and successful candidates will undergo three rounds of interviews as follows:

1. Initial Interview with a senior-level Assistant District Attorney from the Hiring Committee.
2. Panel Interview with two or more supervisory Assistant District Attorneys from the Hiring Committee, to include the delivery of an Opening Statement (fact pattern distributed in advance).
3. District Attorney Interview with D.A. Donnelly and the Chief Assistant District Attorney.

* UNCLASSIFIED POSITION LOCATED IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE*

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by six (6) years of experience in law to include three years of lead/supervisory experience.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the Georgia Bar Association. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Requires knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws; policies and procedures governing Fulton County Superior Court, and methods and techniques related to area of assignment.

Examination:

The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER ALLOCATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to review, investigate, indict, and prosecute or resolve by plea felony criminal cases on behalf of the citizens of Fulton County. This classification is distinguished from the series by functioning in a lead capacity, assigned to oversee the work or caseload of other attorneys or investigative and legal staff. Positions in this classification are assigned to prosecute as lead attorney on highly complex and serious upper-level felony cases which may involve homicide, crimes against women or children, crimes of public integrity, or appellate cases.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures; assists with supervision of co-workers by reporting employee problems and providing input on disciplinary action and employee performance evaluations.

Conducts or assists in the conduct of jury trials, preliminary and pretrial hearings, post-trial or appellate proceedings, and related courtroom proceedings: prepares and argue motions; conducts jury selection; makes opening and closing statements; presents evidence in court; and questions witnesses; makes appropriate objections and arguments; makes bond and sentencing recommendations and arguments.

Investigates, evaluates, and prepares cases for trial: requests and inspects records and evidence; prepares graphics and exhibits; prepares and serves discovery; makes investigative requests; identifies and interviews witnesses; observes crime scenes; obtains and reviews scientific results and analysis; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; determines need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; anticipates legal issues; develops case strategies; presents cases to superiors or District Attorney.

Conducts case research and documentation: researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts complaints, accusations, indictments, and supporting documents; and prepares trial notebooks.

Prepares cases and indictments for presentation to Grand Jury: reviews case file and analyze the facts and evidence of the case; reviews criminal histories of defendants; determines appropriate charges; ensures sufficient probable cause; drafts indictments for indictable cases; subpoenas law enforcement officers and witnesses; and presents case to Grand Jurors.

Communicates and serves as a liaison with victims, family, witnesses, and community partners: provides updates regarding case status; requests victim advocates and assists them as needed; and explains and advises regarding the investigative and judicial process.

Conducts pre-trial case resolution: conducts plea negotiations; consults with superiors or District Attorney regarding negotiated pleas; pleads case in court; and completes restitution requests.

Manages caseload: attends scheduled court appearances, including plea and arraignment, status, case management, final plea, motions, and trial calendar; and schedules trial and hearing dates with judges and case managers.

Coordinates with community partners and the public to support and promote criminal justice efforts and crime prevention initiatives: educates and informs the community about the criminal justice system; conducts and attends meetings with schools, government organizations, healthcare providers, interest groups, or other community partners; and provides resources, training, and recommendations that educate or support a specific criminal justice program/initiative, such as the rehabilitation of juveniles, the prevention and prosecution of human trafficking, or community crime prevention.

Communicates with defense attorneys, judges, law enforcement, investigators, legal support staff, victims, witnesses, supervisor, media, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including, police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including charging documents, recidivist notices, probation revocations, sentencing recommendations, motions and legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a director capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.

This individual is responsible for providing legal counsel and executing legal imperatives or actions in all civil matters assigned the District Attorney's Office for the 22nd Judicial District, State of Louisiana. Employees in this classification perform professional, legal, administrative, and limited supervisory work. This position is responsible for providing counsel and advice on civil legal matters. Incumbent performs legal research, prepares legal memoranda, drafts legal documents, attends meetings during and after office hours as assigned, and provides legal advice at those meetings. This position also serves as a legal resource to the District Attorney's office for civil law matters. This is a journey-level position (ADA II) in the Assistant District Attorney classification series. The ideal candidate will have been licensed to practice law for a period of 3 years or more. Experience in local, state, and federal law is a plus. This position is distinguished from other positions in the Assistant District Attorney classification series (ADA I-II-III-IV) in that the higher-level positions require additional qualifications and work experience.
•Handle all assigned matters including legal research and preparation of legal memoranda.

•Receive and complete all assignments received from supervisor.

•Attend meetings of the Parish Council after office hours.

•Attend meetings of Parish boards and commissions during and after office hours.

•Provide legal advice and counsel to boards and commissions as directed.

•Provide legal advice and counsel to Parish departments.

•Become very familiar with Parish ordinances.

•Become proficient in researching ordinances in the Parish ordinance system.

•Learn and become proficient in Robert's Rules of Order.

•Evaluate reports and information to determine appropriate legal action.

•Enter data and maintain cases in Clio case management software.

•Build and maintain databases and files as needed.

•Track pending case files to monitor pertinent information; advise colleagues on case's status.

•Instruct, assign, review and plan the work of others who may be assigned to assist him/her.

•Interact with members of the general public, governmental agencies, boards and commissions, and Parish departments on Civil Division matters.

•Perform clerical tasks such as typing, copying, filing, faxing, scanning and answering the phone as needed.

•Perform the work of subordinate Assistant District Attorneys and other related work as required.

•All other duties as may be assigned.

Requirements

Applicant must possess:

•Juris Doctor (JD) degree and have been licensed to practice law for a period of 3 years or more. Familiarity with parish, state, and federal governmental functions is a plus.

•Louisiana law license.

•High ethical standards.

•Knowledge of legal terminology.

•Knowledge of electronic filing systems in State and Federal Courts.

•Knowledge of the principles of legal research in Lexis and Westlaw.

•Excellent research, writing, analytical, critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills.

•Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation skills.

•Skills in communicating and writing clearly and concisely.

•Skills in oral presentations.

•Skills in rendering defensible decisions and opinions.

•Skills in operating a variety of modern office equipment and software in processing information in prescribed formats. Knowledge of: Microsoft Office Suite to include Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

•Typing using the QWERTY keyboard or equivalent of at least 20 words per minute.

•Ability to interpret law.

•Ability to understand oral and written instructions.

•Ability to serve the public with patience, tact, and integrity.

•Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information, such as legal publications, law books, pleadings, court records, dockets, legislative acts, computer programs and legal forms.

•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor and fellow employees.

•Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.

•Ability to handle stressful situations.

•Ability to interpret local, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, and regulations as applicable to the public Civil Law environment.

•Ability to apply independent judgment effectively and appropriately.

•Ability to work outside of normal business hours when assigned such duties.

Salary Range :

Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and work experience - with DA retirement and other benefits including, but not limited to, paid health insurance for employee.

EOE/ADA Compliance:

•Physical ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and material of medium weight (40 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

•Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

•Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electrical, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease or pathogenic substances.

•This office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and additionally will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.