Attorney II - Public Defense Services

Job Description Summary

Department - Public Defense Services

Job Description

_ REVISED _

THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER for current and future ATTORNEY II vacancies which serve all levels/assignments of Attorney in the offices of the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Legal Advocate; Legal Defender; Mental Health Defender; Office of Children's Counsel; Public Defender; Public Fiduciary).

Job Type: Unclassified

Job Classification: 3002 - Attorney II

Salary Grade: A3

Pay Range
Pay Range: $94,494 - $179,524 Annually 

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.  

Coordinates and conducts professional legal work in Public Defense Services Department offices. Incumbents perform advanced level legal work in the area assigned for either criminal or civil matters. Attorneys at this level regularly prepare, defend, and resolve the most complex legal work involving serious and consequential matters or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience and training, demanding a higher degree of resourcefulness, skill and knowledge than that assigned to lower-level attorneys. Work is performed with considerable latitude, independent judgment, and professional discretion.

Pima County Public Defense Services represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the Court in felony cases, misdemeanor cases, juvenile delinquency matters, dependency and severance proceedings, Title 36 proceedings, guardianship cases, and appeals in Pima County. Attorneys provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness. Attorneys work collaboratively and holistically with paralegals and/or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand the circumstances and priorities of each client and advocate for their desired outcomes through strategic and personalized litigation, negotiation, and mitigation.  

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at:

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Prosecutes or defends the most difficult and complex criminal or civil cases, or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience and training, brought for and against the County, in State or Federal Courts;

• Manages the most demanding criminal or civil cases in public sector law or manages caseloads requiring specialized skills and experience;

• Represents County departments, boards and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters;

• Prepares ordinances, resolutions, contracts and leases for consideration by county officials;

• Prepares legal opinions and advises county officials on a variety of legal matters;

• Engages in negotiations for compromise and settlement of cases and complies with Victims’ Rights;

• Engages in pretrial, trial, post-trial and appellate practice as required by cases;

• Prepares litigation, deposes witnesses, provides witness notification, and conducts complex bench and jury trials;

• Develops, refines, and presents legal strategies, reviews legal documents, extracts relevant information, evaluates legal issues and legal system variables and negotiates agreements;

• Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues;

• Researches and drafts legal motions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents;

• Reviews, evaluates, and participates in investigations;

• Complies with all rules regulating professional responsibility;

• Upholds the values and goals of the assigned Department and County.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate AND five (5) years of relevant prosecution, defense, or civil experience.

**Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):**

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience.

• Experience handling serious cases or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience/training.

• Experience with little to no supervision on serious case types handled. 

• Knowledge and appropriate application of systems, policies, and procedures of Pima County (additional assessments of current and previous Pima County employees may be conducted).

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.  

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain / maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and experts in-person and/or on the phone. Regularly works in a professional office setting. Occasionally drives to conduct field work. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Occasionally remains in a stationary position. Occasionally moves about inside an office.

Working Conditions: Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position. Regularly receives and responds to telephone calls, text messages and emails. Drives to visit clients and witnesses at residence or at jail, and other locations to speak with other case involved parties.

EEO Information:  Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.