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This position will work within the Anoka County Attorney's Office Civil Division which is responsible for legal and advisory services as prescribed by the County Attorney to effectively represent the County.
Although this position could be assigned to perform any of the essential duties of a civil division attorney, the County Attorney's Office is especially looking for an attorney to handle criminal appeals and a variety of civil litigation matters to fill this role. Specific relevant experience sought includes representing government or private clients in criminal appellate matters before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and/or Minnesota Supreme Court; advising government officials, supervisors, managers, and employees on appellate and litigation strategy; and representing government or private clients in a variety of civil litigation matters.
The Anoka County Attorney's Office has three different Attorney classifications starting with an Attorney I position up to an Attorney III position. The differences among these positions include but are not limited to years of general experience, supervision needed to perform the work, and comprehensive working knowledge of subject matters, and ability to handle complex issues and problems associated with the assignments within the division. Attorneys may be assigned a variety of practice areas including advising County departments and/or law enforcement in the areas of purchasing, drafting and enforcing contracts, administrative appeals, collections, probate, legal compliance, real estate, litigation, data practices, as well as other legal matters. Although the initial assignment is in the Civil Division, employees may be assigned to work in other divisions as determined by the County Attorney.
In order to be considered for this full-time, exempt position, information to support your answers must be included in your application. A resume attachment is optional and cannot be used in place of this application. Applications must be received by the closing deadline of 11:59 p.m. on May 9th 2024 to be considered.
This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position located at the Anoka County Government Center in downtown Anoka. Interviews will take place in late May for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.
Why join Anoka County?
The Anoka County Attorney's Office is a large professional law firm with a collegial environment where employees are part of a team and support each other in the mission of the office and in day-to-day work. In addition, we offer the following:
The Anoka County Attorney's office values its employees and invests in their professional growth and development.
Employees have advancement and professional development opportunities.
Employees have access to a medical and dental satellite clinic located in the Anoka County Government Center with services dedicated exclusively to employees.
Employment packages include medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Anoka County contributes to a pension plan and employees can voluntarily supplement these contributions or take advantage of other retirement investment options.
Employees have paid Flexible Time Off (FTO) for vacation or for health issues or appointments. Employees are also paid for recognized holidays as approved annually by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners.
Learn more about our robust benefits package by going to our website.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties and Responsibilities for All Assistant County Attorneys in the Civil Division:
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Assistant County Attorney - Civil.
Advise County officials, supervisors, managers, and employees on legal matters.
Provide legal opinions and training to County employees in subject-matter area assigned.
Draft pleadings, motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs.
Research, analyze and interpret existing laws, regulations, and cases. Anticipate changes to regulations and laws.
Provide training to county departments and employees in assigned subject areas.
Represent the County in contested hearings and trials.
Handle administrative hearings and appeals.
Complete special projects.
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications Required:
Graduate of an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Minnesota
Successfully complete a background investigation, including a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) background check and fingerprinting.
Adequate professional references.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience representing a state, county, city, or other government entity including advising government officials, supervisors, managers, and employees on appellate and litigation strategy.
Experience representing government or private clients in criminal appellate matters before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and/or Minnesota Supreme Court.
Experience representing clients in a variety of civil litigation matters.
Completion of paid Court of Appeals, Federal or District Court Judicial Clerkship.
Knowledge of pleadings and practice of effective presentation of court cases including rules of court and evidence.
Experience conducting legal research and data analysis.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Using technology in everyday practice.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
To qualify for the Attorney I position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed above. Experience related to one or more of the following areas is preferred:
Representing a government entity in hearings, trials, appeals, and other routine legal proceedings and matters.
Conducting pretrial/prehearing preparations.
Preparing various briefs, opinions, pleadings, agreements, contracts, and other legal documents.
Coordinating investigations with law enforcement and other governmental departments.
Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and effectively presenting findings and arguments in state and federal court, or other tribunals.
Providing legal opinions and training to government employees in assigned subject-matter.
Preparing post-hearing motions and appeals, rendering legal opinions, reviewing motions and other legal documents, conferring with and providing legal counsel to government departments, officials, and employees.
Conferring with parties and the public and negotiate settlements.
Performing other duties as assigned by a government department head or an elected official.
To qualify for the Attorney II position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed above and possess experience in some or all of the following areas among others:
Effectively and strategically presenting evidence, advice, information, and arguments both orally and in written form.
Drafting pleadings, motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs in all levels of criminal cases (misdemeanor to felony) or in the representation of a client in non-criminal matters.
Determining proper course of action in presenting facts and arguments.
Demonstrable experience with researching, analyzing and interpreting existing laws, regulations and cases.
Providing leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned.
Working collaboratively with other Juvenile Division attorneys, legal support staff, Corrections, social workers, law enforcement, and others who work within the criminal justice system or other units of government.
Possessing at least two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney, including some experience advising municipal clients in a County or City Attorney's Office, or equivalent private sector experience.
To qualify for the Attorney III position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed above and possess experience in some or all of the following areas, among others:
Capacity to interpret and analyze complex laws, regulations, and cases to be able to anticipate changes to laws and their interpretation.
Recommending the most effective course of action and provide alternatives when necessary.
Coordinating complex investigations with law enforcement and other Anoka County departments.
Developing training for Anoka County employees, law enforcement, and criminal justice partners in assigned subject-matter.
Reviewing the work of Assistant County Attorneys I and II where appropriate.
Possessing at least five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney, including some experience as a prosecutor in a City or County Attorney's Office.
Having an established reputation for being a skilled practitioner and recognized for having the capacity to lead peers and subordinates and to serve as a role model for others.
Capability of handling grand juries, complex jury trials, motion arguments, and appeals.
Physical Demands and Work Conditions:
Standard office environment, courtrooms, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
Work activities may require contact with uncooperative, angry, and sometimes hostile clients depending on assignment.
Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
Ability to handle both in-person and remote hearings and to effectively use the office media, software, and hardware.
Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
SALARY:
Salary and additional opportunities for advancement will be commensurate with experience, professional development, and performance.
Assistant County Attorney I:
Anoka County Salary Schedule, Grade 34: $33.66 - $47.12 per hour ($70,012.80 - $98,009 per year).
Assistant County Attorney II:
Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 36: $38.71 - $54.19 per hour ($80,516.80 - $112,715 per year)
Assistant County Attorney III:
Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 40: $53.42 - $74.76 per hour ($111,113.30 - $155,500.80 per year)
HOURS:
Full-time; 40-hours per pay week
The work schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM. Schedule may vary based on business needs and supervisory approval.
Selection Process
It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.
Pre-employment Requirements
Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
About Anoka County
As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, we depend on the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. We offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences who can come together for the single purpose of serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees .
Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment
Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.
If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title.
Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy:
Anoka County is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner which will further the principles of equal employment opportunity.