Title:  Chief Deputy District Attorney (District Attorney)

DUTY STATEMENT:

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, the ability to work productively and professionally as a member of a team or work group and to interact appropriately with internal and external contacts, are basic requirements of all positions at Arapahoe County. Supports the County's strategic plan and goals.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Chief Deputy DA performs a variety of professional legal and supervisory functions to direct the work activities of a unit within the Office of the District Attorney.

DUTIES:

• Directs the work activities of assigned unit personnel. Acts as a resource on legal reasoning, statute interpretation, and trial tactics; directs the formulation of plea agreements in unusual or sensitive cases. Conducts annual performance reviews and makes recommendations with regard to salary adjustments/exceptional performance pay. Acts as a mentor/coach to improve/refine subordinates' trial skills and legal knowledge. Monitors division docket calendars to ensure coverage for deputies in trial and to minimize issues surrounding speedy trial.
• Acts as lead prosecutor on murder and other high profile/complex crimes; confers with the District Attorney and other Chief Deputies on the determination of high profile cases..
• Dependent upon assignment, may provide statistical data to reflect unit work activities as a basis for personnel and/or materials requests through the budget process.
• Acts as a member of the selection committee to interview and recommend attorney candidates for hire.
• Performs a variety of professional legal and docket management functions to intake and prosecute felony offenses, which require an advance level of experience and ability; reviews, prepares, and tries criminal cases, provides related legal advice to law enforcement agencies. Performs related legal research and writing. Participates in policy level decisions regarding office functions. May prepare and present cases for grand jury.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Considerable to extensive knowledge of the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence; ability to effectively apply same in a preliminary hearing/trial setting related to felony offenses.
• Considerable knowledge of state statutes and general knowledge of substantive case law related to felony offenses.
• Ability to advocate and/or present legal/factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to persons of highly varying legal, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively process and dispose of felony criminal case filings while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants; ability to assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical dispositions that are within policies promulgated by the District Attorney.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations/responses from defense attorneys and witnesses.
• Ability to write in a succinct and well-reasoned manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, co-workers, defense attorneys, victims, judges, court staff, police officers, witnesses, related agencies' personnel, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure
• 10+ years litigation experience
• 1+ years supervisory experience
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is split between a standard office environment, attending court, responding to crime scenes, and meetings inside and outside of the office with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses in various settings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 30 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 30 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Work is split between a standard office environment, attending court, responding to crime scenes, and meetings inside and outside of the office with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses in various settings.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.