Chief Deputy County Attorney

CLOSES: 8/14/25

Interview Dates: Wednesday, September 3 - Thursday, September 4, 2025. 

Second Interview Dates: Tuesday, September 9 - Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Location: Carlton County Justice Center Conference Room

Healthcare Benefits:

• Family Health Insurance - Monthly Premium of $320.16
• Single Health Insurance – Premium paid in Full by Employer
• HEALTH INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES COVERED IN FULL WITH A VEBA ACCOUNT FUNDED BY EMPLOYER

Basic Functions:

• Under the direction of the County Attorney, the Chief Deputy County Attorney is responsible for directing and supervising the activities and operations of the County Attorney’s Office and its legal staff in the support of the department’s policies, procedures and strategic initiatives. Lead the prosecution of criminal cases and mentoring of staff. Participate in labor negotiations and labor negotiations strategy.

Essential Functions:Criminal Case Work (50%)

• Participate in and prosecute criminal cases.Prepare assigned cases for judicial and administrative proceedings by interviewing clients and witnesses, investigating facts, researching law, drafting pleadings, analyzing the opposition’s case and writing legal memoranda and briefs.
  1. Try assigned criminal cases and represent the County at judicial hearings by presenting facts, analyzing evidence and information as it is conveyed during the proceedings, and adjusting the County’s case as necessary; make recommendations on whether to file appeals.
  2. Recommend the disposition of cases to judges, referees, arbitrators and administrative law judges.
• Mentor, supervise and lead attorneys in the decision-making process concerning case disposition.
  1. Oversee the evaluation of criminal cases to determine whether to charge, drop charges or negotiate pleas by analyzing facts in relation to established charging or plea negotiation standards; consult with crime victims in accordance with the Victim’s Rights Act.
• Prepare legal opinions and plan litigation in order to resolve immediate issues and to establish a basis for resolving future matters of a similar nature.
• Assist in the development and implementation of department policies, procedures and initiatives related to criminal caseloads.

Supervision (40%)

• Supervise, direct and develop department personnel.
• Assist and participate in the recruitment, interviewing and selection of department personnel.
• Oversee new staff orientation and ongoing staff development.
• Monitor, evaluate and conduct formal performance reviews and informal workload reviews for direct reports.
• Determine and manage job expectations for positions within the department.
• Respond to and address departmental personnel-related issues.
• Initiate personnel actions (e.g., discipline, promotion, demotion, discharge, etc.) in consultation with human resources.
• Assist staff attorneys in trial preparation and presentation.
• Guide attorneys with procedural and ethical guidance.
• Participate in labor negotiations and labor negotiations strategy and planning.

Public Relations (10%)

• Coordinate and provide training of law enforcement personnel, non-profit, other governmental agencies and/or county entities regarding legal issues, concerns and matters.
• Conduct public relation activities and responsibilities.
  1. Provide public outreach services to inform the community regarding activities of the County Attorney’s Office and/or requests for information.
  2. Respond to data practices requests on behalf of the county.
• Serve as representative of the County Attorney’s Office on selected committees, task forces, special projects and/or boards, as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position is appointed at the discretion of the County Attorney.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• Eight (8) years of full-time legal and litigation experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.

Training Required:  

• None

Certificates/Licenses Required: 

• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota with the ability to complete 45 credits of continuing legal education every three (3) years to maintain licensure.
• Must hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Additional Notes:

• Must pass a security background investigation.

Knowledge, skills and Abilities Required:

• Thorough knowledge of state, federal and local laws and statutes applicable to areas of practice.
• Knowledge of principles, concepts, practices and standards of the legal professional including rules of conduct, rules of evidence, rules of court, civil and criminal procedures/processes.
• Knowledge of negotiation techniques and processes.
• Knowledge of the principles, techniques, methods, and resources of legal research.
• Knowledge of principles, concepts and practices pertaining to legal arguments.
• Knowledge of the court system in Carlton County.
• Knowledge of Carlton County organizational structure and functions.
• Knowledge of supervisory and management fundamentals.
• Knowledge of law enforcement policies and procedures.
• Skill in oral, presentational and written communications.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with department personnel, judges, attorneys, State Attorney General, U.S. Attorney’sOffice, other County Attorneys’ Offices, law enforcement personnel, probation officers, social service professionals, clients, witnesses, law enforcement, other county staff, elected officials, and the public.
• Skill in conducting legal research, analyzing and interpreting legal data and matters of law.
• Skill in preparing cases for legal proceedings and in presentation of legal matters in various legal proceedings and hearings.
• Skill in preparing legal documents, pleadings, memoranda, briefs, stipulations or other legal/court documents in a clear and concise manner.
• Skill in persuasion, negotiation and advocacy based upon the merits of individual issues and the information present.
• Skill in supervising, directing, evaluating, and providing coordination in the administration functions and staff of the department.
• Strong public relation skills to deal with the media and the public regarding requests for information involving legal matters.
• Strong conflict resolution and organizational skills.
• Ability to apply and determine appropriate course of action on cases based upon matters of law, fact and legal research.
• Ability to make appropriate decisions with respect to negotiations and settlements, when appropriate.
• Ability to advise and provide direction to law enforcement and county staff concerning varied legal issues, opinions and matters of law.
• Ability to perform responsibilities of the position under pressure, court deadlines, political ramifications, and project deadlines.