Chief of Criminal Division

Criminal Chief

Performs complex professional work managing the Criminal Division of the County Attorney's Office. Serves as the lead criminal law assistant and advisor to the County Attorney and the Chief Deputy County Attorney. Work is performed under the general direction of the County Attorney. Supervision is exercised over all personnel within the division.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Serves as Chief of the Criminal Division and is the top criminal law advisor to the Wright County Sheriff, County Attorney, the Chief Deputy Attorney, and external law enforcement agencies.
• Supervises, manages, and directs the Criminal Division of the Wright County Attorney's Office, which includes the adult Felony/Gross Misdemeanor Division, the Misdemeanor Division Prosecution Teams, the Juvenile Division Prosecution Team and the Victim Witness Coordinators. This includes the assigning of cases and legal proceedings to attorneys; ensures that prosecutions are completed and attorney coverage is maintained for all court matters; ensures that the "Team Approach" to prosecution is followed; ensures the Criminal Division adheres to prosecution, County, and office guidelines/policies; provides guidance and training on various matters impacting the Division.
• Serves as a legal advisor to the County Sheriff and all external law enforcement partners by providing legal services, direction, and advice on procedural and substantive matters affecting the County.
• Uses independent judgment providing supervision and leadership to personnel under position's span of control; makes and participates in decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, layoff, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under position's span of control; sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance; creates and maintains a positive work environment fostering effective performance of staff.
• Serves as primary liaison for Division to Law Enforcement, Jail staff, Judiciary, the Medical Examiner, and Court Administration; reviews newly arrested persons and receives reports in connection with arrests; supervises the preparation of criminal complaints to ensure arrested persons appear in court in compliance with time constraints imposed by law; supervises and responds to emergencies that arise with respect to conditions of arrested persons that render incarceration difficult; makes decisions regarding extradition matters; handles and resolves issues relating to the calendar plan, court coverage, and supervision of offenders on probation matters.
• Maintains an individual caseload that includes performing all essential functions listed for Attorney III; supervises litigation of high-profile/homicide cases and with Grand Jury proceedings, as assigned by the County Attorney.
• Assists with preparation of annual budget; monitors budget administration; and informs County Attorney of concerns.
• Serves as member of County Attorney's Office management team; conducts confidential discussions with County Sheriff, external law enforcement agencies, County Attorney, Chief Deputy and Office Manager on a wide range of sensitive matters.
• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Education and Experience

Juris Doctorate in law, or related field, and at least six years of experience as an Attorney with at least three years of experience as an Assistant County Attorney with one of those years being a County Attorney III, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Up-to-date status for continuing legal education, monitored by the Minnesota Office of Continuing Legal Education.

License to practice in Federal District Court, Federal Court of Appeals and US Supreme Court if representing County in these courts.

Successful completion of the Minnesota Bar Exam and license to practice law in Minnesota.

Requires ability to pass BCA background check.

A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Knowledge of all duties and responsibilities of the County Attorney's Office; knowledge of Minnesota statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to criminal law, child support and paternity matters, and specific statutes, ordinances, regulations, and case law affecting operation of Wright County departments and court system; knowledge of electronic legal research techniques; knowledge of courtroom decorum and trial procedures and tactics; proven leadership qualities with ability to motivate employees; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs; analytical skills sufficient to analyze, interpret, and apply a complex and wide variety of County, State, and Federal statutes, regulations, and ordinances; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and understand legal documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding sensitive information; ability to be persuasive with judges, juries, other attorneys, and members of the general public; ability to apply legal principles and precedents and prepare and try complex civil or criminal cases; ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale; ability to deal effectively with demanding/challenging individuals and individuals in crisis; ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan, make decisions and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; a bility to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).