Prosecutor

The City of Puyallup is seeking a Prosecutor for immediate hire. This is a limited term position funded through August 31, 2023, with the possibility of extension, and is eligible for full city benefits including health insurance, retirement program, and paid sick and vacation leave.

The primary duty is to represent the City in criminal misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases filed in Puyallup Municipal Court. The person in this position is expected to exercise sound professional judgment and conduct throughout the performance of his or her duties.

The in-house City Attorney manages the City’s legal affairs. The Prosecution team is comprised of three in-house prosecuting attorneys, one full-time and one half-time support staff, one part time Rule 9 intern, and one Domestic Violence Victim’s Advocate. Police services for the City are provided by the Puyallup Police Department, a 98 member agency.

The City’s Municipal Court is located in at 929 E. Main, Puyallup, WA. The Court has one full-time elected Judge and it’s own probation department. Court is held every day between the hours of 8:30 am and 5 pm. The Court uses the online court document system OCourts for all pleas and court documents. Presently most calendars are held in person, with two pre-trial calendars being held by ZOOM each week. The court transitioned to fully in person calendars as of October 1, 2022.

• This Associate City Attorney position is responsible for the prosecution of violations of the City's criminal and civil codes;
• Such duties include, but are not limited to, reviewing cases, preparing cases for filing, contacting witnesses, preparing documents to be filed in court, preparing cases for trial, trying cases in municipal court, and briefing and arguing appeals before the superior court, courts of appeal, and various administrative bodies;
• This position also advises the Police Department regarding criminal matters;
• The Associate City Attorney, on a limited basis, may perform some duties relating to civil legal services and may be required to attend City Council meetings and meetings of other administrative bodies;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures of criminal law;
• Case preparation and litigation techniques;
• Municipal government structure, operations, jurisdiction and issues;
• Organization and analysis of case facts and legal precedents;
• Federal, state and local jurisdictional aspects of criminal justice system;
• JABS, OCourts, and the Criminal Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, and
• Legal research methodology.

• Provide advisory, litigation and administrative support services to City departments;
• Perform comprehensive legal research on matters impacting City operations;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Work independently with little direction;
• Prepare and review legal opinions, contracts, ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents;
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work; and
• Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

• Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree; or a combination of education, experience, and training that indicates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position listed above;
• Trial experience in civil or criminal law preferred;
• Experience in municipal law or general work in the government sector preferred.

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain, and maintain throughout employment, a valid Washington State driver's license.

Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities to perform essential functions and communicate with others. Constant fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc. Frequent sitting, may be extended at times, while doing desk activities. Frequent bending/twisting at waist/knees/neck while working at desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position. Frequent standing in combination with walking (short distances) throughout work shift in office and court areas. Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25?pound documents, materials, file boxes, etc. Occasional pushing/pulling force up to 10 pounds opening doors, drawers, and moving materials. Requires mental acuity to ensure thorough mental analysis of situations in a fast-paced environment. Works indoors in a climate-controlled office environment with low noise levels.
Constant Demands: Sitting, talking, seeing, hearing. Frequent Demands: Standing, walking, kneeling/squatting, repetitive hand motion, handling/grasping objects, bending at the waist. Occasional Demands: Driving, lifting, carrying, climbing, pushing/pulling, climbing stairs and ladders, working at heights/balancing, lifting an average of 15 pounds; maximum of 30 pounds, twisting at the waist, crawling, reaching below the knees - knees to shoulder - above the shoulder, crouching, repetitive arm motion, and foot controls. Environmental Factors: Low noise level with 100 percent of employee’s time spent indoors in an office environment.

SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants must attach a cover letter describing your interest in the position and your relevant experience, a resume, and a writing sample.

Notification – Following submission of application, an email acknowledgment receipt of application is given. Persons selected for an interview and/or testing will be notified by email, normally within 15 working days following the closing date on the job announcement.
Not Selected – No formal notification is usually sent by the City to applicants not selected for an interview or test. Should the same or another position open for which the applicant wishes to apply, he/she must apply online for each new opening.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Essential Functions – The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.
Hours of Work – Full time, Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm.
FLSA Status – This is a FLSA Exempt position.
Equal Employment Opportunity – The City of Puyallup is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran's status or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.
Background – The City of Puyallup will need to obtain the proper background and criminal history information pursuant to RCW 43.43.830/832 for positions where the employee will or may have unsupervised access to children, developmentally delayed persons or vulnerable adults.
Disability – In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in the context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. Accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment will be made upon request with reasonable notice. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information. The physical demands described in this job announcement are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Identification – Applicants who are offered employment with the City are required to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States within three days of date of hire, as required by the 1986 Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. A list of acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work will be provided to those who are offered employment. The City uses E-Verify program.
Drug-Free Workplace –The City of Puyallup is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace.
Note – The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Paid Leave: Regular, full-time, unaffiliated City employees receive 8 hours of sick leave per month and 12 holidays per year, and vacation days are earned at the rate designated by Policy 2.7.3, Vacation Accrual and Use, of the Administrative Policies and Procedures of the City of Puyallup. Vacation, sick leave, and holiday leave are prorated for regular, part-time employees.

Vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday provisions are determined through collective bargaining for affiliated employees. All Collective Bargaining Agreements can be found on our website at http://www.cityofpuyallup.org/465/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.

Retirement: Regular-status City employees are mandatory members of the State of Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Employees and the City jointly contribute to the plans. Deferred compensation plans are also available on an optional, voluntary basis.

Group Insurance: Currently, unaffiliated full-time, regular-status employee benefits include City paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents, plus life and long-term disability insurance coverage for employees. Employees may be required to premium share benefit costs depending upon their status in the city's wellness program. Employees scheduled on a regular status part time basis will be offered pro-rated insurance benefits.