Lead Prosecutor, Domestic Violence Unit | Criminal Division

Full Job Description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state.

Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone.

We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness.

We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Criminal Division’s Domestic Violence Unit seeks a prosecutor with demonstrated leadership abilities and expertise in the case development, prosecution, and filing of domestic violence cases to serve as team lead.

The Domestic Violence Unit is transitioning to a vertical model, and the Lead Prosecutor will play a central role in implementing and maintaining this structure.

The Seattle City Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit prosecutes misdemeanor crimes of intimate partner violence, family violence, elder abuse, stalking, assault with sexual motivation, animal cruelty, and child abuse/neglect cases.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is committed to increasing case diversion and identifying restorative solutions that minimize harm while taking a deeper look at the needs of survivors from historically marginalized communities.

Requirements

The primary duties of this position include:

• Conduct weekly case staffing meetings to review cases, develop case strategies, allocate additional resources to higher-risk cases for upcoming trials.

• Assist in training and overseeing the daily functions and work of the Domestic Violence Unit and the Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit

• Manage the review and filing of cases, including making charging determinations and filing cases by warrant

• Serve as point of contact with other team members and supervisors as to court coverage and attendance at work

• Attend meetings or sit on committees, in place of, or in addition to, the Domestic Violence Unit Supervisor, Deputy Criminal Division Chief, or Criminal Division Chief

• Manage and prosecute a caseload of high-risk and complex cases

• Refer and track felony cases to King County for review

• Assist in the development and implementation of training programs focused on best practices for handling Domestic Violence Unit cases, legal updates, and courtroom strategies

• Assist in Domestic Violence Unit and Seattle City Attorney-Criminal Division policy formulation, implementation, and enforcement; and

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 3 years of general prosecution experience within the CAO Criminal Division, or the equivalent in another jurisdiction

• Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association OR the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership within 30 days of an offer of employment

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Significant experience as a prosecutor in Domestic Violence:

  • A rotation in the Domestic Violence Unit at the Seattle City Attorney’s Office or comparable Domestic Violence experience elsewhere

  • Experience taking cases to trial, including stalking charges

  • Domestic Violence case filing

• Understanding of diversity, racial equity, and inclusion principles, and the ability to apply them

• The skills needed to perform case development, prosecution, and filing responsibilities of this position may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including but not limited to comparable experience

• Working with crime victims, advocates, and law enforcement

• Expertise in investigation, witness interviews, and filing charges)

• Experience in training and mentoring prosecutors

• Implement, follow, and enforce policies and decisions made by the Domestic Violence Unit Supervisor, Deputy Criminal Division Chief, and the Criminal Division Chief

Additional Information

Union Membership – This position is part of the Local 21-PA union.

Application Process – For your application to be accepted, you must:

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application
  1. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle
• Include the following required attachments (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format):
  1. Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
  2. Resume detailing your relevant experience.
  3. Attach a legal writing sample that is 5-15 pages in length. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.

Application Submission Guidelines – All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting.

Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.

Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted.

Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation – This position is in the Discretionary Pay Program which is based on the assignment of duties that exceed those of a journey-level employee.

The full salary range for this position is $67.13 - $87.26 per hour.

The successful candidate, whose salary is currently in the Discretionary Pay Program, is not guaranteed automatic annual increases in pay.

The successful candidate should anticipate that they would continue to receive any additional compensation only so long as they continue to be assigned increased and/or specialized duties and/or responsibilities as defined in Article 6.4 of the collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees.

Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program.

More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Language Premium (Protec 17, L21PA)* – Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Workplace Environment – Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Office Location: Columbia Center, 701 5^th Avenue, Suite 2050, Seattle, WA 98104

Background Check Requirements – All positions are security sensitive.

Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17.

Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics.

The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.