Closing Date: 22nd September, 2025

Description:

Description of Work:
Not sure you meet all listed requirements? Let our team take a look. Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

The Starting Salary for This Position Is Limited to $92,917 - $115,937. Salary Offers for The Selected Candidate Are Based on The Candidate's Education and Experience Related to The Position, as Well as Our Agency Budget and Equity.

This Position Is, but Not Limited, To:

Represent the State in State and Federal Post-Conviction Cases as Assigned by The Section Head.
Research and Prepare the State's Briefs and Present Oral Argument in Complex Criminal Cases Before the Supreme Court of North Carolina and The North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Prepare the State's Response in Federal Habeas Corpus Petitions.
Assist and Advise Other Attorneys in The Department of Justice in Criminal Appellate Matters.
Implement All Other Duties and Responsibilities of The Section as Detailed Below Under Section Information.

Some Travel, Including Some Overnight Stays Are Required.

Selected Candidate Will Undergo a Background and Records Check.

Note to Current State Employees:
The Salary Grade for This Position Is Lg09. State Employees Are Encouraged to Apply for Positions of Interest Even if The Salary Grade Is the Same As, or Lower Than, Their Current Position. Please Detail All Work History Including Non-State Service Experience. if Selected for This Position, a New Salary Will Be Recalculated Taking Into Consideration the Quantity of Relevant Education and Experience, Funding Availability, and Internal Equity. Based upon These Factors, a Pay Increase May or May Not Result.

The State of North Carolina Offers Employer Paid Health Insurance Plus Twelve Paid Holidays, Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual, Dental, Vision, and Other Insurance Options, and Retirement Benefits. You Can View Our Benefits Information at Employee Benefits.

Section Information:
The Appellate and Post-Conviction Section of The Criminal Division of The North Carolina Department of Justice Is to Represent the State in Criminal Matters After a Defendant's Trial Is Completed. This Includes: (1) Direct Appeals of Criminal Convictions in Any of The Judicial Districts of The State Before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and The Supreme Court of North Carolina as Well as State Post-Conviction Petitions Filed in The State Appellate Courts;(2) to Research and Prepare the State's Briefs and Present Oral Argument in Federal Habeas Corpus Litigation in The Federal District Courts and The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; (3)the Attorneys in The Section Handle the Most Difficult and Complex Criminal Appeals and Petitions, and Therefore, Because of Their Expertise, Also Serve as Resources for All of The Attorneys in The Department of Justice Who Handle Occasional Criminal Appeals as Part of Their Duties Through the Criminal Brief Rotation; (4) the Section Attorneys Also Represent the State of North Carolina in Capital (death Penalty) Litigation, Particularly at The State and Federal Post-Conviction Levels Before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of The United States, and The Lower Federal Courts; (5) Assist District Attorneys in All Aspects of Such State Capital Litigation, Both at Trial and In Post-Conviction Proceedings; (6) Act as Liaison with Attorneys General and Prosecutors on Criminal Law Issues; (7) the Section Attorneys Represent the State in Non-Capital State Post-Conviction Petitions Filed upon Request of The District Attorneys and Approval of The Division Head; (8) the Section Also Has the Responsibility to Defend Against Non-Capital Federal Habeas Corpus Actions Filed in Federal Courts by State Prisoners Seeking to Overturn Their North Carolina State Court Convictions, and Thereby Prevent Expensive and Time-Consuming Retrials or The Premature Release of Criminals Who Cannot Be Retried.

Department Information:
The North Carolina Department of Justice (https://ncdoj.gov/), Led by The Attorney General of North Carolina, Represents the State, State Agencies, and Elected Officials, and Defends the Rights of The People of North Carolina. the Department Handles All State Criminal Appeals Cases and Assists District Attorneys with Complex Criminal Cases at Their Request. Additionally, the Department of Justice Includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab (https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits), the North Carolina Justice Academy (https://ncdoj.gov/ncja/), and The Sheriffs (https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/sheriffs/)' and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions. (https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:
Management Preferences:

Knowledge of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Appellate Procedure, as Found in State Statutes, State and Federal Case Law, and State and Federal Court Rules.
Expertise Conducting Criminal Litigation in The Appellate Courts.
Ability to Read, Analyze, and Understand Complex Legal Issues.
Ability to Recognize and Analyze Issues, and To Develop and Express Arguments and Conclusions Clearly and Logically in Both Oral and Written Form.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Licensed to Practice Law by The North Carolina State Bar and Four Years of Progressively Responsible Professional Legal Experience. Note: Gs 114-2 and 114-6 Make It the Duty of The Attorney General of Nc to Represent the State of North Carolina in All Litigation Unless Another Statute Specifically States Otherwise.