Prosecuting Attorney I/II (Civil Division)

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Attorney II-S

Regular

Exempt (ineligible for overtime)

Overview:

Pay Range as follows:
Attorney I: $100,000-$108,243 per year (Attorney Pay Plan, Step 1-7)
Attorney II: $111,491 - $125,556 per year (Attorney Pay Plan, Step 1-7)


Job Closing Date: Open until filled with weekly reviews.


The Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has an immediate opening for a Civil Attorney I or II. The civil prosecuting attorney will represent clients in a variety of civil matters, providing legal counsel to government officials and assigned departments, and will represent the State in defending the county against lawsuits. The successful candidate will work in professional, collegial, and fast-paced environment.


We’re looking for a passionate and dedicated attorney to join our Civil Division. This is a great opportunity to:
⚖️ Gain valuable Civil Litigation experience
🌟 Make a real impact in our community
👩‍💼 Work alongside a supportive and professional team

If you’re ready to use your skills to and help make a difference in Yakima County, we’d love to hear from you!



Benefits included in position:
-Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
-Retirement
-Paid Vacation
-Paid Holidays
-Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

In Civil Matters:

• Advise county elected officials, department heads, county boards and commissions regarding county government civil issues.  May represent County boards, commissions, elected officials, department heads, and their designees before administrative hearings bodies. 

• Will actively review and recommend amendments to County resolutions, ordinances and code, and policies and procedures.

• Research legal issues, draft memoranda and legal briefs.  Prepare cases for litigation. Appear, represent and defend the County in civil court actions, proceedings, and appeals in which the County may be a party.

• Determine strategy including organization, timing and order of evidence presentation, appearance of witnesses and related factors.  Ensure Prosecuting Attorney and other concerned parties are informed of case progress and direction. 

• Conduct legal research and drafting in connection with cases and for other attorneys, as required.   Assist outside counsel as needed.

• Assist County in managing risk, complying with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.   Keep apprised of changes in statutes, rules and case law that impact the County and its departments.  Depending upon case assignment, may represent the County in zoning and land use proceedings, among other environmental regulatory matters.

• Will Exercise discretion and professionalism in all matters. Maintain confidentiality and comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct. 

Supervision in All Matters: Close to moderate or moderate supervision in handling cases or matters of the type assigned.  Works with supervisors in resolution of ethical issues and in response to problems and complaints.

Other Duties as Assigned:

Performs other duties as assigned such as: preparation of appellate briefs in connection with appeals; preparation of correspondence and pleadings on a personal computer; participation in or preparation and presentation of in-house training programs; and presentation of educational programs to local school, community or civic organizations.

Education and Experience:

Attorney I- requires admission to the Washington State Bar Association. Training is provided on the job.

Attorney II - Admission to the Washington State Bar. 
A minimum of four (4) years of law practice experience.

If you are awaiting results of the Washington State Bar Exam and/or awaiting admission to the WSBA, we encourage you to apply.

Required:

• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation which includes fingerprinting.

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and proof of insurance at time of employment may be required.

Equipment Used:

Telephone, copy and fax machines, and personal computer. Must have the ability to drive personal and/or County vehicle, and travel to locations outside of the courthouse.

Working Conditions:

This position is rated as Sedentary Work:  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Sedentary work involves sitting, most of the time. 

Environment: Pathogen exposure work in locked down facilities, exposure to hostile/angry individuals, work outside of standard business hours and multiple work locations;

Physical Demands:  bending, carrying, handling, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, hearing, smelling, talking, visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands:  ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate in conversations, ability to follow written and verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

• The laws of the State of Washington, rules of evidence and procedure, and Washington Court rules;

• The field of assignment sufficient to perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of responsibility as illustrated in the class description and essential duties; 

• The ethical and professional responsibilities of an attorney generally and for the field of assignment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Using a personal computer and related software applications, and operating basic office equipment;

• Performing legal research; analyzing and applying legal principles, statutes, constitutional provisions, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems;

• Prioritizing work under varying conditions and effectively managing time;

• Finding solutions to problems and making decisions within the scope of responsibility and the law;

• Exercising sound judgment in consulting senior attorneys and supervisors with questions and concerns, and, in referring matters to others which are beyond the scope, knowledge or authority of the position.

• Working individually and cooperatively as a member of a team;

• Applying knowledge of the law in writing various documents, organizing evidence, drafting interview questions, presenting legal arguments, and legal and/or factual situations;

• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with co-workers, individuals involved in the court systems, media and diverse members of the public while maintaining focus on case and client interests;

• Maintaining confidentiality; and

• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, in clear concise language appropriate for the purposes involved and the parties addressed, including court appearances.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.