NAELA's CareerCenter

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POSITION SUMMARY
At will position appointed by and reporting to the County Attorney. Maintains the moral and legal authority of the executive branch of the local government to enforce the law and impose social justice. Performs a variety of administrative, technical, and advanced professional legal work of moderate to considerable difficulty in representing Buchanan County and the State of Iowa in criminal, juvenile, civil and post-conviction relief matters.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Represents Buchanan County and the State of Iowa in criminal, juvenile, post-conviction relief and civil matters at all levels, including administrative proceedings and appeals to the District Court; proceeds independently with minimal amount of guidance and direction.
• Negotiates various aspects of criminal matters, including what charges are filed, when filed, how a suspect is taken into custody, the appropriate amount of bond to request, the timing of arraignment and trial dates, completion of the discovery process, communication with and securing the presence of witnesses and victims, forming recommendations as to the nature and length of probation and/or incarceration, evaluating when and under what circumstances revocation of probation is warranted.
• Negotiates various aspects of juvenile matters, including jurisdiction, grounds/charges to be pursued, identification of necessary parties and their legal standing, whether removal or retention of the juvenile with a parent/guardian is in the juvenile’s best interests, assess the need for abuse/psychiatric evaluations, recommends visitation arrangements, , pursue termination of parental rights when/if warranted, challenge preliminary or final court decisions when/if necessary, make recommendations pertaining to disposition.
• Conducts independent criminal investigations, assists law enforcement personnel in preparing and obtaining search warrants, prepares and obtains confidential investigatory subpoenas from the court when necessary.
• Presents evidence and legal arguments in criminal, juvenile and civil matters in which the County or State are involved; independently researches applicable law and legal principles as well as other preparatory duties prior to trials and hearings.
• Serves as an internal legal representative and advisor for the County in matters pertaining to the preparation, drafting and review of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, title opinions and other legal documents; furnishes legal opinions to County officials upon request; represents and prosecutes/defends
  the County and its officials acting within their official capacity in all matters of litigation.
• Prepares and drafts pleadings, motions, and interrogatories; prepares letters, opinions, memoranda, briefs, contracts, title opinions and other legal documents; prepares and drafts orders based on the record made in Court.
• Utilizes case management software to track and maintain caseload.
• Performs such other duties as delegated and assigned pursuant to the Code of Iowa.

INCIDENTAL JOB DUTIES

• Any other duties as assigned or required by the County Attorney.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skill and abilities.

• Knowledge of the application of legal principles and the methods of legal research.
• Knowledge of the United States and Iowa Constitutions, Iowa Code, Iowa Administrative Code and Iowa Rules of Court.
• Ability to present statements of fact or law and to argue clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Ability to analyze situations, evidence, and precedence accurately and to adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems.
• Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft related, dishonest or unethical behavior.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other offices, county employees, the public, elected officials, law enforcement agencies and other federal, state and local agencies.
• Ability to work in either a team environment or individually and provide assistance internally within the office to others in performing their job duties as operational needs of the office require.
• Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.
• Knowledge of basic office practices and the use of personal computers, printers, scanners, copy machines, shredders, and other general office equipment.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Microsoft Office and case management software, preferably PROSECUTORbyKarpel (PbK)
• Ability to use oral and written communication skills to provide appropriate guidance and advice in legal matters, in representing Buchanan County and the State of Iowa, in gathering evidence and in developing strategy, arguments and testimony, in presenting evidence, interrogating and cross examining
  witnesses, anticipating potential problem areas in case presentation and pursuing alternative options, summarizing a case before a judge/jury with articulate and credible conviction, skill and effectiveness in presenting, explaining, or arguing cases to administrative boards or commissions or to the courts.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull a minimum of ten (10) pounds with ease, and to safely climb, balance, walk or stand, sitting for prolonged periods.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Education/Training: Graduation from an accredited law school and a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
• Required licenses, registrations, and certifications: Possession of a valid State of Iowa Driver’s license; license to practice law in the State of Iowa and be a member in good standing with the Iowa Supreme Court.

Required post-offer physical examinations: Must meet all requirements as outlined in the Buchanan County Employee Handbook.
Required drug testing: Drug testing shall be required as allowed by state law.
Residency requirement: None.
Other testing required: None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; climb; sit; stand for extended time periods; turn; twist body; bend; crawl; use hand to finger manual dexterity, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk and
  hear. The employee must frequently push/pull or lift up to ten (10) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include near vision, far vision, depth perception, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee’s work is primarily performed inside in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Work time may require irregular hours and shift times.

HOURS OF WORK
Minimum requirement of 37.5 hours per week to maintain full-time benefits. May be required to work additional hours per week to meet operational needs of office. Work hours or days may change with minimal notice.

1. Marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties have been excluded from this job description.
2. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective employee and incumbents are encouraged to discuss possible accommodations with the County.
3. Job descriptions in no way state or imply that the description includes every duty to be performed by the employee in the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
4. The County reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.
5. Buchanan County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

About Buchanan County Attorney's Office

Submit your resume, references and a completed Buchanan County Employment application, along with a signed job description by email to attorney@co.buchanan.ia.us or mail or drop these items off to: Buchanan County Attorney, Attn: Shawn Harden, 210 5th Ave NE, Suite F, Independence, IA 50644. Employment application and the full job description can be downloaded off the county website at: www.buchanancounty.iowa.gov. Employer will not be responsible for application documents lost in transit. Documents will be accepted until the position has been filled. Buchanan County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). It is the policy of Buchanan County to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendment.

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