Job Description

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This position will stay open until filled. Applications will be reviewed weekly, and selected candidates will be invited for interviews.

JOB TITLE:

Assistant County Attorney

DEPARTMENT:

County Attorney

STATUS:

Full Time; Exempt

STARTING SALARY:

Salary will be based on experience. Receive anniversary step increases. In addition, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).

The Douglas County Attorney's Office is hiring a full-time Assistant County Attorney.

This position involves a variety of legal work, including criminal, social services, and civil cases for the county attorney's office.

Strong courtroom and legal research skills are essential.

We are located in the Alexandria Lakes Area - the ultimate destination to work, live, play, and prosper.

Our office consists of the elected county attorney, six assistant county attorneys,

six support staff, and a part-time investigator.

A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree is required. License to practice law in Minnesota. (must have passed the MN State Bar Exam and maintain certification).

Must possess a valid MN driver's license and pass a background check for employment.

Previous experience in a county attorney's office is preferred, but not required.

JOB OBJECTIVES:

The Assistant County Attorney represents the State of Minnesota and Douglas County in the enforcement of law in District Court and other court settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of those specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Manage the following cases from start to finish: Truancy and Runaway Petitions, Civil Commitment Petitions (mental health and/or chemical dependency, Guardianship/Conservatorship cases, juvenile diversion cases, dangerous dog appeals, prosecute all juvenile cases (petty, misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felonies), Ordinance Enforcement, License Enforcement, assist County Assessor with tax appeals including litigation in Tax Court, and conduct trust reviews for Social Services. Manage child protection cases from start to finish, including Termination of Parental Rights and permanency cases. Collect reports. Analyze evidence. Organize the CHIPS case. Inspect all pleadings and motions. Prepare for contested hearings. Estimate the time needed for court hearings. Select witnesses. Examine witnesses in court. Argue motions. Devise and execute a trial plan. Manage the following cases from start to finish: Truancy and Runaway Petitions, Civil Commitment Petitions (mental health and/or chemical dependency, Guardianship/Conservatorship cases, juvenile diversion cases, dangerous dog appeals, prosecute all juvenile cases (petty, misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felonies), Ordinance Enforcement, License Enforcement, assist County Assessor with tax appeals including litigation in Tax Court, and conduct trust reviews for Social Services. Manage child support cases from start to finish, including contempt cases. Collect and evaluate social services reports and data. Collaborate with the child support officer. Present the case in court. Propose an appropriate child support amount. Justify the same. Interpret Minnesota law. Appraise the relative strength of a criminal case. Choose appropriate criminal charges. Estimate the likelihood of a successful prosecution. Argue for appropriate bail in court. Justify said amount based on public safety concerns and flight risk. Create advisory opinions for all county departments as necessary. Provide legal advice to law enforcement on a 24/7 basis, including weekends. Review and approve 48-hour probable cause holds for weekend arrests. Reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality. Other duties, as assigned or apparent.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide information to law enforcement outside of normal office hours as needed. Answers phone and takes messages. Prepares subpoenas and miscellaneous documents. Copies video and audio recordings as needed. Directs and screens inquiries from the general public. Attends continuing legal education courses to keep the license to practice law current.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees

Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's vision, mission, and values. Implicit in the employer-employee relationship is the right of Douglas County to rely upon the presence of the employee during assigned hours of work and the obligation of the employee for timely and regular attendance. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and County-wide policies, protocols, and procedures that apply to the performance of this position. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters about assigned job responsibilities. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Access to Not Public Data

In this job, you may come across private or confidential information about people we serve. This data is protected by law and should only be viewed or used when it's truly needed for your work. You are expected to only look at private data when your job duties require it. Keep it secure and make sure others who don't need to see it don't have access. Stop accessing the data once your task is done, and store or dispose of it properly, following the rules in Minnesota's Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). If your job duties change and you need access to different private data, that access should also be limited to only what you need to do your job.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT HIRE:

Education

Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school. Requires research of new legislation every year in all aspects of the County Attorney's responsibilities including criminal, juvenile, family, and extradition law, and all other areas of practice.

Experience

None.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

An employment background check is required.

A valid MN driver's license is required.

Must have passed the Minnesota State Bar Exam and remain certified throughout employment.

REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES AT HIRE:

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job are:


Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.

Demonstrates knowledge of legal principles and practices.

Demonstrates skills in a group presentation.

Demonstrates skills in writing clearly and informatively.

Demonstrates ability to work well under pressure.

Demonstrates ability to share knowledge of and experience with the justice system.

Demonstrates ability to allocate time for professional development.

Demonstrates ability to remain current on legislative changes.

Demonstrates ability to plan and present court cases effectively.

Demonstrates ability to conduct legal research.

Demonstrates ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.

Demonstrates ability to read and interpret written information.

Demonstrates ability to accept responsibility for own actions.

Demonstrates ability to follow through on commitments.

Demonstrates ability to effectively perform under high-stress situations.


Numerical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract; multiply and divide totals; determine percentages, compute discount, interest, profit, loss, ratio and proportion; and interpret same as may be appropriate.


Language Ability:

Requires the ability to read a variety of professional, technical, and administrative documentation, directions, regulations, instructions, methods, and procedures. Requires the ability to communicate with people to convey or exchange professional information.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education


See required minimum qualifications at hire.


Experience


A minimum of five years of experience as an attorney is preferred.


Previous experience in a county attorney's office is preferred.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES:

See the required minimum knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualities at hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Public building. Work is normally performed in an office environment.

HOURS

A minimum of a 40-hour work week. As an exempt position, it may require more than 8 hours of work on any day or more than forty hours of work on any week to perform duties and meet expectations.

Physical Demands can involve, but are not limited to:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines and equipment, including but not limited to computers, copier, fax machine, DVD player, and telephone.


Must be able to move or carry job-related objects or materials. Must be physically capable of reaching to obtain various books, printouts, file boxes, computer paper, etc.

Amount Lifted:

Amount Lifted Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Amount Lifted 11 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present

Amount Pushed or Pulled:

Amount Pushed or Pulled Up to 10 lbs. to 101+ lbs.: Not Present

Vision:

Near & Far Vision: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Depth: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Field of Vision: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Color: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Contact With Others:

Works Alone: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Works with and around Others: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Customer/Public Contact: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Clients with Behavior Challenges: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Communications:

Talking & Hearing & Reading: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Basic Body Positions:

Sitting: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Standing: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Walking/Moving About: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Climbing & Balancing: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Crouching & Kneeling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Crawling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Motor Skills:

Handling & Grasping: Rare: Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Using Fingers: Rare: Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Reaching & Feeling: Rare: Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Driving: Not Present

Exposures To:

Mechanical Equipment: Not Present

Electrical Equipment: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Pressurized Equipment: Not Present

Burning Material/Equip: Not Present

Explosive: Not Present

Radiant Energy: Not Present

Moving Equipment: Not Present

Heights: Not Present

Fumes/Odors: Not Present

Dirt/Dust: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Gases: Not Present

See also Physical and Environmental Factors Form.

EXAMPLES OF EQUIPMENT USED

Office equipment. Case Management software.

OTHER

All listed above are essential functions of the job.

SALARY:

Receive anniversary step increases. In addition, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefits

- We also offer no-cost/low-cost health insurance plan options. Douglas County contributes to a Health Savings Account and a (PERA) pension plan. Become vested in as little as 3 years of employment for lifetime benefits upon retirement! Douglas County is also a qualified Employer for the Public Sector Loan Forgiveness Program.

Life Insurance

- as a County employee, you will be covered by $40,000 of life insurance at no expense. Supplemental coverage is available for you, your spouse, and your dependents.

The official holidays for this Douglas County postion are:

New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr Day Presidents' Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Fourth of July Labor Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving (in place of Columbus Day) Christmas Eve Day Christmas Day Personal Holiday.

Sick Leave/Earned Safe and Sick Time:

An employee shall be credited with 1 day of sick leave for each month of service, accumulative to 90 days. The first 48 hours (or up to 80 hours if any eligible time was carried over) will be counted as ESST.

Vacations:

Employees will accrue vacation according to the following schedule:

0 - 5 years - 10 working days.

6 -10 years - 15 working days.

11 - 15 years - 20 working days.

16 - 20 years - 25 working days.

Over 20 years - 30 working days.

Supervision Received:

Supervised by County Attorney.

Supervision Exercised:

Labor Group:

Non-Union

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Grade:

17

EEO Job Category:

Professionals

Work Comp Code:

8820

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Revised: 2025