Chief of Criminal Division

Salary : $139,880.00 - $198,619.20 Annually
Location : Justice Center, 3700 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo MN 55313, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026 June - Criminal Chief
Department: Attorney
Opening Date: 05/13/2026
Closing Date: 6/3/2026 4:30 PM Central


General Definition of Work


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.

Essential Functions


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.

Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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.

Special Requirements

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, Skills and Abilities

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; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements
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).
Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension). For a more detailed overview of our benefit package,
01


I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete all the following supplemental questions. I understand that I will only receive credit to responses that are supported in the information I provide in my employment application and that a resume will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Please check the "yes" button if you have read and understand this.

• Yes
• No

02


This position requires a 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. Do you possess the minimum qualifications for the position?

• Yes
• No

03


Describe your education and experience that indicates you fulfill the listed minimum qualifications.
04


Please indicate what institution you received your degree from and the date received. Also, indicate when you received your license to practice law in Minnesota and include License Number.
05


Do you possess a valid driver's license or can you provide evidence of equivalent mobility?

• Yes
• No

06


This position requires the employee must have no criminal history record that would prevent access to the criminal justice information data banks. Would you be willing to be fingerprinted for a BCA background check?

• Yes
• No

07


How many years of experience do you have managing adult felony and/or gross misdemeanor cases?

• I do not have this experience.
• Less than 3 years experience
• 3 years to less than 6 years experience
• 6 or more years of experience

08


If indicated you have experience in the question above, please describe experience in the related areas of practice. (If no experience, type "N/A")
09


How many years of experience do you have managing misdemeanor cases?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years to less than 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

10


If indicated you have experience in the question above, please describe experience in the related areas of practice. (If no experience, type "N/A")
11


How many years of experience do you have managing juvenile cases?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years to less than 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

12


If indicated you have experience in the question above, please describe experience in the related areas of practice. (If no experience, type "N/A")
13


How many years of experience do you have managing CHIPS/child protection cases?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years to less than 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

14


If indicated you have experience in the question above, please describe experience in the related areas of practice. (If no experience, type "N/A")
15


Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to competitive exam results. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive 10 or 15 preference points subject to the provisions of MN Statutes 197.447. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4) or DD 215 (Copy 2, 4, or 6). Disabled veterans must also supply a letter from the USDVA verifying active duty disability. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veteran's DD214 and a letter from the USDVA verifying the veteran's disability or death certificate. Veterans applying for promotional exams may only claim veterans preference points if they have a service connected disability of 50% or more. The five points preference is only available when applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County. All required documents must be received no later than the closing deadline for accepting your application. Are you applying for Veterans Preference points?

• No
• Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge - see MN Statute 197.447
• Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connect disability of 10% or more
• Yes - Spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability of 10% or more (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties)
• Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more days, received an honorable discharge, had a service connected disability of 10% or more and was disabled at the time of death. You are ineligible if you have remarried or were divorced from the veteran.
• Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran. You are ineligible if you have remarried.
• Yes - Current employee with a 50% or more service connected disability rating applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County.

16


I understand that any falsified information, omissions of important facts, or misrepresentation of my job education or experience on either the application or during my interview may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may be considered justification for dismissal, if hired.

• Yes
• No

Required Question