Attorney III​/IV

Our Values

• Integrity
• Common Sense
• Innovation
• Accountability

Attorney III-S

Regular

Exempt (ineligible for overtime)

Annual Pay Range as follows:
Attorney III - $128,708 - $139,318 (ATT III Step 1-5)
Attorney IV - $146,758 - $165,273 (ATT IV Step 1-7)

Annual Hiring Range as follows:
Attorney III - $128,708 - $136,586 (ATT III Step 1-4 DOQ)
Attorney IV - $146,758 - $155,741 (ATT IV Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date:
Open until filled with weekly reviews.

The Yakima County Assigned Counsel Office (Office of the Public Defender) has immediate openings for Attorneys at the Attorney III and IV levels. The incumbent is responsible for providing professional legal indigent defense for clients in the District Court or Superior Court (Adult, Juvenile and/or ITA). Assignment is subject to the needs of the indigent defense program.

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• Retirement Benefits
• 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)

Performs complex and serious cases and assignments at a journey to advanced level, with moderate to minimal supervision in a wide variety of criminal and/or civil legal work, depending upon assignment. Uses attorney training, office resources, and timely involvement of supervisors to ensure effective and professional representation of parties involved. When assigned, exercises lead or limited supervisory authority.

Performs the most complex and most serious cases and assignments at a journey to advanced level, with low to minimal supervision in a wide variety of criminal and/or civil legal work, depending upon assignment. Uses attorney training, office resources, and timely involvement of supervisors to ensure effective and professional representation of parties involved.

Evaluates each case and assesses its factual and legal sufficiency under the law at each stage of a criminal proceeding by reviewing police and other reports and analyzing all information available. (Prosecution only: makes charging decisions regarding legal and factual sufficiency for filing of a case.)

Evaluates strengths, weaknesses and facts of each case for purposes of additional investigation, plea negotiations, development of case strategy and trial preparation.

Coordinates or conducts case investigation for trial preparation as necessary. Arranges for tests of physical evidence, testimony of expert witnesses and interviews or directs interviews of witnesses as required. (Indigent defense only: interviews and confers with client regarding facts, plea discussions, trial, sentencing and progress of case and maintains client confidentiality.)

Instigates or responds to plea bargaining negotiations with opposing counsel and represents the interest of the state (prosecution) or client (indigent defense.)

Represents the state (prosecution) or client (indigent defense) at preliminary appearances, arraignments, pre-trial motions, pleas of guilty, sentencing hearings and post-trial matters such as restitution hearings and sentence reviews/amendments.

Conducts all trial actions including: selection of jury, opening arguments, direct and cross examination, introduction of evidence and exhibits, preparation of jury instructions, closing arguments and post-trial motions.

Responds to law enforcement (prosecution) or to individuals arrested who wish to consult with an attorney (indigent defense) at critical stages of proceedings.

Represents petitioners (prosecution) or clients (indigent defense) at all stages of civil commitment proceedings, Involuntary Treatment Act hearings (mental), child support proceedings, paternity proceedings, contempt proceedings, child dependency proceedings, truancy proceedings, and drug forfeiture proceedings. Performs case evaluation, additional investigation, trial preparation, settlement negotiations, pre-trial motions, trials and appeals as required.

In child support enforcement (prosecution), represents the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support in family law matters or proceedings in Superior Court to establish parentage and child support orders, modify child support orders, enforce child support orders, and other associated actions or proceedings.

In child dependency proceedings (indigent defense) represents parents and children in regards to matters and proceedings under RCW 13.34 initiated by the State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services, Child Protective Service alleging abuse and/or neglect by a parent and/or to terminate parental rights.

In all civil matters, performs case evaluation, additional investigation, trial preparation, settlement negotiations,…