Position Description

Position Objective
To provide effective legal services by representing the State of Minnesota and Stearns County in juvenile cases. This position is responsible for assisting the County Attorney by providing legal advice and representation, preparing and presenting findings, briefs, legal documents, and cases to courts and juries.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

1. Collaborates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies concerning juvenile delinquency and child protection matters.
2. Reviews and evaluates law enforcement reports, education and counseling records, forensic science data, witness statements, physical evidence, and human services agency documents.
3. Prepares cases regarding juvenile delinquency, extended jurisdiction, certification, truancy, runaways, children in need of protection or services, maltreatment findings, administrative or licensing cases, short and long term placement, termination of parental rights, and adoption.
4. Prepares cases for judicial and administrative proceedings by investigating facts; researching law; drafting subpoenas, search warrants and pleadings; interviewing victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers; analyzing the opposition's case, and writing legal memoranda and briefs.
5. Prepares and participates in pre-trial proceedings, court trials, and post-trial proceedings including appellate court practice.
6. Develops dynamic presentations involving a case theme, opening statements, and closing arguments.
7. Serves as a legal counsel and provides legal training and advice to law enforcement officers, attorneys, corrections agents, social workers, and other relevant parties in delinquency and child protection cases in areas of investigation, trial techniques, juvenile law, strategy, and legal issues pertinent to the area of assignment.
8. Represents the County Attorney before task forces, governmental organizations, committees, and other groups.
9. Attends work in a regular and timely manner.
10. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications and Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• Juris Doctor degree
• Valid license to practice law in the State of Minnesota
• Available by telephone 24 hours per day
• Experience using Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to comply with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's criminal history related security requirements

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications: experience as a law clerk in a federal, state, county or municipal prosecution office or private firm with a prosecution contract, or as a judicial law clerk, or in the licensed practice of law in Minnesota including adult criminal prosecution or juvenile delinquency/petty offense matters including general adult misdemeanor/traffic, adult felony, adult appellate, juvenile delinquency, child protection, or juvenile appellate experience.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Knowledge of litigation techniques used before grand juries and in court and jury trials.
2. Knowledge of Minnesota law and court rules involving juvenile delinquency, child protection and truancy.
3. Knowledge of negotiation techniques.
4. Ability to research legal issues and write persuasive legal memoranda.
5. Ability to resolve cases in accordance with office policies and procedures.
6. Ability to organize and prioritize work.
7. Ability to accept and complete assigned work in a timely manner.
8. Ability to appraise, interpret, and apply legal precedents to legal problems.
9. Ability to present statement of fact, law, and argument in written or oral form.
10. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Accountabilities, Work Environment and Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
1. Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's mission and values.
2. 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.
3. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
4. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
5. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
6. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
7. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 100% of the time indoors. May require occasional travel to off-site locations and minimal attendance at early morning or evening meetings. Will have infrequent exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief of the Juvenile Division.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Frequent.

Supervision of Others
None.

Hours of Work, Testing and Interview Dates

Hours of Work
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm and additional night and weekend hours as client needs, caseloads and trials require. Potential to work hybrid location/flexible work hours.

Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on Monday, June 5, 2023. Interviews may occur remotely. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.

For additional job information, click here.

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.