Prosecutor

Under limited supervision, the Prosecutor provides a full range of legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments, with emphasis in criminal prosecution. Represents the City in various courts and prosecutes criminal misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and municipal code violations in Municipal Court.

Candidates may be hired in the level based on training and experience**

Prosecutor I

Prosecutor II $8,286 - $10,904

$9,136 - $12,022

Essential Functions:
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administers all aspects of misdemeanor prosecution to include investigations, arraignments, pre-trial hearings and motions, bench and jury trials, sentencing, review hearings, and appeals.
• Prepares pleadings and plea offers on misdemeanor cases occurring within the City; ensures cases are resolved within office policy guidelines.
• Prepares charges and makes charging decisions as referred by Law Enforcement.
• Follows cases through sentencing procedures and manages criminal appeals.
• Provides legal research, training, and assistance to the Police Department in criminal matters, including statutory interpretation, enforcement issues, and case decisions.
• Prepares cases for prosecution including contacting the Police Department, witnesses, victims, and defense attorneys.
• Prepares cases and collaborates with other City attorney(s) to prepare cases with the City's civil code enforcement personnel to pursue nuisance claims, zoning violations, building code violations, and life safety claims.
• Assists the Public Safety Committee in developing ideas regarding crime prevention and enhancing public safety.
• Contacts victims to request subpoenas, gather information, evaluate evidence, determine witness' role in prosecution, and monitors the victim's safety.
• Presents cases before the court and argues facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent.
• Represents the City in a variety of legal and administrative proceedings; provides legal advice and interprets State laws and City ordinances; assists with case preparation and prosecution of City code violations.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Mount Vernon and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, and City staff; enthusiastically promotes the City goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Additional Duties if Assigned as Prosecutor II

Provide legal assistance on handling civil lawsuits including research, preparing briefs, depositions, and courtroom advocacy.

Qualifications:
Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines

Prosecutor I
Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association AND one (1) year of motion or trial practice at the Municipal or District Court level; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Prosecutor II
Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association AND three (3) years of motion or trial practice at the Municipal or District Court level; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Pretrial, trial, and sentencing procedures.
• Criminal law and procedure.
• General office policies, procedures, and equipment.
• Customer service principles, practices, and etiquette.
• Records maintenance and retention policies and procedures.
• Legal research methods, techniques, sources, databases, and other research tools.
• Case management procedures, tactics, and techniques.
• Principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records, and other data that may be used in court, and rules of evidence.
• Appropriate criminal investigation methods and procedures.
• Domestic violence issues.
• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a prosecutor, including rules of professional conduct and standards for ethical behavior.
• Appellate law and procedure.
• Requirements of criminal record maintenance and retention.

Skill in:

• Performing effective and strategic trial advocacy.
• Representing the City at various court and administrative levels in criminal, civil forfeitures and infractions.
• Working independently with little direction and efficiently organizing work schedules and tasks.
• Using effective interrogative procedures and recognizing suspicious and deceitful behavior patterns.
• Communicating complex legal issues, verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Preparing and presenting bench and jury trials.
• Drafting and interpreting City ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
• Performing responsibilities with sensitivity, empathy, understanding, and awareness of issues affecting individuals involved in the prosecution of criminal cases.
• Representing widely diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, educational and ability levels, and familial/social environments.
• Researching and analyzing complex legal issues and implementing appropriate responses.
• Maintaining accurate records and filing systems.
• Reading, interpreting, explaining, and applying legal and technical language, including Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• Handling and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Interacting tactfully and professionally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public.
• Preparing clear and concise communications, reports, and technical documents.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Being tactful and exercising discretion and maintaining composure and professional demeanor in dealing with issues of a difficult and emotional nature.
• Effectively represent the City in situations that may be adversarial or stressful.

License and Certification Requirements

• An Active Washington State Bar Association License Is Required.
• A Valid Washington State Driver's License Is Required.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurances
• Life Insurance Policy
• Employee Assistance Program
• Department of Retirement Systems Retirement Plan
• Paid Vacation, Holidays and Sick Leave
• Gym Membership Reimbursement
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)

Application Process:
Interested Applicants Must Submit a Cover Letter and Resume with Their Application. Applications Must Be Received No Later than Sunday, November 29, 2026 at 11:59 Pm.

For Additional Information, or A Complete Job Description, Please Visit Https://www.Governmentjobs.Com/careers/mtvernonwa/classspecs