Description:

Under limited supervision of the County Attorney, plans, directs, and manages the operations of the Civil Division of the Cochise County Attorney's Office. This senior leadership role provides complex and high-profile civil litigation and advisory matters, supervises attorneys and staff, and exercises significant independent judgment to ensure that all civil legal services are delivered ethically, professionally, and in the best interests of Cochise County.

Essential Functions:
As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 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.

Typical Duties: (Illustrative Only)

Direct, manage, and provide leadership for the Civil Division, including civil deputy attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.
Oversee and guide complex civil litigation, administrative proceedings, negotiations, and settlements, including high-risk and politically sensitive matters.
Establish division priorities; assign and manage caseloads; and determine litigation and resolution strategies consistent with County interests, and at times interacts with outside counsel.
Serve as lead or supervisory counsel on significant civil cases with substantial legal, financial, or policy implications.
Provide legal advice and consultation to the Board of Supervisors, County elected officials, County departments, boards, commissions, and special districts.
Serve as a primary liaison between the County Attorney's Office and the Board of Supervisors, Sheriff's Office, and Human Resources Department.
Lead and represent the County in Merit Commission hearings and other personnel-related proceedings.
Develop and manage the Civil Division annual budget, including staffing, resource allocation, and recommendations for budget and salary adjustments.
Participate in County decision-making regarding special district rates, Cochise College enhancement funds, and other governance matters.
Supervise, mentor, train, and evaluate civil deputy attorneys; conduct performance evaluations and support professional development.
Ensure compliance with Arizona law, federal law, ethical standards, and County policies.
Maintain confidentiality, integrity, professionalism, and public trust in all Civil Division operations.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the County Attorney.

Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited law school, active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience, including substantial government civil law and litigation experience; demonstrated experience supervising attorneys or legal programs with the ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion and independent decision-making; must possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference may be given to individuals who possess the following:

Ten (10) or more years of government civil legal experience.
Experience advising elected officials or governing boards.
Experience with public sector employment law, public records, procurement, contracts, and administrative law.
Experience managing budgets and participating in senior leadership decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed under limited supervision. Incumbent generally performs work in a typical office, meeting room or court setting with appropriate climate controls. In-person work required.
Physical Requirements: Essential functions of this position require: lifting, manual dexterity, ability to communicate.
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds requires a good deal of walking, standing or involves sitting most of the time.
Mental Application: Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills are important.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for those that are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Cochise County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.