ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY

Prosecutors Office

Recruitment #2303-0622-005

Introduction

The City Prosecutor's Office is seeking an entry-level attorney to prosecute misdemeanor offenses in City Court.  The prosecutor performs all pre-trial, trial, and post-trial functions.

City-Wide Benefits

· Medical: Choice between a high deductible plan (HSA or HRA), or Network plan.
· Dental: Choice between a national dental PPO and a local dental HMO.
· Vision: Coverage for annual eye exam and glasses or contacts, plus LASIK. 
· Life: City-paid coverage for you & dependents, plus option to buy more. 
· Long-Term Disability: Income replacement of up to 60% of your base salary in the event of a qualifying disability. 
· Employee Assistance Program: Enhance your wellbeing when life doesn’t go as planned.
· Flexible Spending: Pay for qualified health and dependent care expenses using pretax dollars. 
· Colonial Voluntary Benefits: Financial help in the event of cancer, hospitalization, accident, more.

 

Your Security and Future

· Pension: Generous pension plans that help both civilian and public safety employees retire more comfortably.
· Deferred Compensation: Save more toward a comfortable retirement with a 457(b) plan.

· Training & Tuition Assistance: Pursue your dream through internal training or financial help toward a degree. 
· Education Assistance, Reimbursement, and Qualified Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Get assistance paying off your student loan debt. 
· Back-Up Care: Care for your loved ones when your regular care is unavailable.

 

Your Peace of Mind

· Paid Parental Leave: Six (6) weeks paid leave when you welcome a child, plus other generous leave policies for FML, Medical and USERRA. 
· Paid Time Away: New hires enjoy 37 days of paid time off in the first year, with time increasing steadily thereafter (In year one: 13 accrued days of vacation, 13 accrued days of sick leave, and 11 paid holidays)
· Employee Discounts: Generous discounts, ranging from car rentals to computers, gifts to groceries, electronics to entertainment.
· Social Connectedness: Forge connections with the community we serve through paid volunteerism and payroll-deducted charitable giving.

General Description

Works in the Criminal Division of the City Attorney's office under supervision of more senior and experienced attorneys and prepares cases for all phases of misdemeanor prosecution.  Conducts both bench trials and jury trials. Identifies and analyzes legal issues associated with driving under the influence, domestic violence, and other misdemeanor charges.

Essential Functions

Orders evidence and prepares pretrial statements and plea offers. Maintains familiarity with civil or criminal procedures in City, state and federal courts.

Conducts legal research and analysis for cases and projects, and assists supervisor at state and federal court trials. In civil division assignments, identifies, analyzes and discusses legal issues associated with projects and cases. Assists in the integration of legal advice to the operational levels of City departments, the City Manager's office and the Mayor and Council.

In criminal division assignments, investigates and prosecutes misdemeanor cases. Supervises law student volunteers and engages in public outreach and educational opportunities within the community.

Identifies and analyzes legal issues associated with projects and programs of City wide importance by attending court, attending meetings with City executive staff, discussing issues and law with peers and supervisors, and presenting issues and analysis to supervisors for review and guidance.

Assists victims by phone and in person regarding pleas, case status, and court processes.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education Level & Type: Juris Doctorate

Minimum Experience Qualifications: Under 1 year civil and/or criminal litigation

Special Job Requirements

The City of Tucson will be instituting the Supreme Courts “Limited Practice” rule that allows recent Juris Doctor graduates to practice in Court under the supervision of a Senior Attorney until they can take and pass the Bar Examination.

Applicants who have sat for the Bar Exam, but have not yet received their Arizona State Bar License are eligible to be considered. Please submit the letter recommending admission from the Supreme Court of Arizona's Committee on Examinations and Character and Fitness at the time of your oral board interview.  

Selection Plan

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile and the responses to their supplemental questions. Highest scoring applicants will then be invited to participate in Oral Board Interviews. 

A legal writing sample MUST be uploaded with resume and Cover Letter as one PDF document composed within the last 2 years (maximum 10 pages). The legal writing sample may include actual work done as a law clerk, lawyer, or alternatively, it may be work done in law school to continue in this process.

  • Virtual Oral Board Interviews will be held the week of April 3, 2023
Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service list will be based on their final score which will be calculated as:

  • 15% of your rating for Education and Work experience
  • 15% of your Legal Writing Sample
  • 70% of your Oral Board Interview

This recruitment will establish a civil service list that will be utilized to fill vacancies occurring within the next 6 months.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must email your documentation at the time of your interview.  The DD 214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service.

If you are in need of Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process, please email ankita.bhargava@tucsonaz.gov at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation.  

Conclusion

Communications throughout this process will be sent via email exclusively so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly; this may include your junk box/spam filter. Failure to respond or follow instructions will result in disqualification.

Pre-employment Medical Testing Requirements

 None

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To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.