Chief Deputy District Attorney

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

Education and/or Experience:

• Juris Doctorate from and ABA accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado
• Valid Colorado Driver's License
• Demonstrated adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards
• Meet all the benchmarks for DDA I, II, III, IV and SDDA
• Minimum 7 years of experience as a felony level prosecutor, demonstrated leadership abilities, and relevant experience supervising the work of prosecuting attorneys
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of Colorado criminal law; working knowledge of the rules, regulations, and protocols of the various divisions of the District and County courts
• Demonstrated ability to think analytically and solve complex problems
• Demonstrated ability to listen and consider diverse viewpoints
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, one on one and in small and large group settings
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships with internal employees, external law enforcement agencies, and government officials

Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal opinions, professional journals, and legal statutes. Ability to write opinions, legal motions, legal briefs, and general correspondence. Ability to effectively present information to, and respond to questions from, judges, jurors, defense counsel, witnesses, victims, law enforcement, and the general public. Must speak, read, and write in English fluently, secondary language beneficial.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to identify and define issues, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Computer Skills:
Proficient use of technology to include computers, software applications, and audio and video presentations.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of constitutional law
• Principles of substantive criminal law
• Principles of procedural criminal law
• Relevant laws pertaining to the presentation of evidence

Competence in:

• Conducting criminal trials, including jury selection, preparation, presentation, and cross-examination of witnesses
• Presenting and effectively arguing legal and factual issues to courts and juries
• Drafting and responding to legal motions
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment with established guidelines
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with an appropriate level of direction
• Applying logical thinking to solve complicated problems or accomplish complex tasks
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in written form
• Directing, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of CDDA, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use fingers and hands to perform various functions. The employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee is required to use eyes to see, including far and near vision.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The work environment will include office, courtroom, the general community, and crime scenes. The work environment could include satellite offices, other judicial districts, or remote work.

Summary

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned):

• Maintain a working knowledge of current Colorado criminal and procedural statutes and relevant case law.
• Attend Colorado Case Law Updates, Crime Victim Rights Act (VRA) Updates, Legislative Updates, Harassment Prevention, and other mandatory training.
• Attend the required number of intra-office training programs as established by the District Attorney's Office Training Program. The CDDA will effectively apply a mastery of the statutes and case law to the facts in each case assigned to them.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the operations and activities of specialty units in the District Attorney's Office. Defines and develops procedures for prosecuting cases, ensuring the implementation of appropriate standards, policies, and guidelines within divisions, and routinely review policies and procedures. Supervises Senior Deputy District Attorneys (SDDAs) who directly report to the CDDA.
• Responsible for developing strategic plans that positively impact the District Attorney's Office and community safety by collaborating with law enforcement agencies and community leaders.
• Direct operations of specialty units as assigned, to include the Homicide Prosecution Team, Special Victims Unit, Economic Crime, Appeals, Juvenile Prosecution, and County Court
• Mentor, motivate, train and serve all SDDAs assigned to lead specialty units. Develop and strengthen leadership skills of SDDAs, while providing management guidance for personnel issues.
• Review performance evaluations prepared by SDDAs to ensure consistency between specialty units. Provides guidance to SDDAs in development of performance plans to correct and strengthen poor performance. Will work closely with SDDAs to address complaints and work to find effective and timely solutions to identified issues.
• Meets regularly with SDDAs to strategize on best practices, ensure appropriate staffing levels, and maintain mission effectiveness.
• Prosecutes homicide and high-profile cases; reviews case for filing of charges, prepares for trial, responds to, and initiates pre-trial motions; performs legal research, interviews victims and witnesses and presents case to the jury. Review all plea negotiations on homicide cases with Chief of the Homicide Team, ADA, and DA prior to finalizing pleas.
• Demonstrate a mastery in researching and drafting legal pleadings necessary for the successful prosecution of their cases.
• Appropriately identify the issues requiring written motions and response motions. Draft clear and concise pleadings. Ensure that all pleadings are filed with the Court in a timely manner. CDDA will share their expertise, to include providing copies of motions, with less experienced prosecutors.
• Effectively prepare for and conduct contested hearings, court trials and jury trials. Including a mastery of felony trial techniques, to include motions practice, trial notebooks, exhibit lists, jury instructions, and witness preparation.
• Creatively organize case information for persuasive presentation in court. Thoroughly prepare wit

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