Thurston County Government · 6 days ago
DEP PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Olympia, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$6,825/mo - $13,188/moThurston County Government is seeking an experienced Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for its Criminal Division. The role involves prosecuting criminal cases, providing legal advice to law enforcement, and preparing cases for trial while maintaining a high ethical standard and commitment to public service.
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Responsibilities
Review and evaluate evidence presented in criminal referrals from law enforcement to determine if criminal charges should be initiated in accordance with office policy, ethical rules, and state law. Conduct all aspects of case prosecution including case management, legal research and document preparation, motion advocacy, plea negotiations and agreements, change of plea hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings. May be assigned cases with charges ranging from misdemeanor to felonies brought in District or Superior Court or other courts if required
Provide legal advice to law enforcement with respect to ongoing criminal investigations and assist law enforcement in applying for search warrants, subpoenas, or other investigatory judicial orders. This includes responding to crime scenes at any time to better understand the scene and provide on-scene advice to investigators
Responsible for all aspects of preparing charged cases for trial including but not limited to interviewing witnesses, examining physical evidence, trial strategy planning, bringing motions on behalf of the state and responding to defense motions, preparation of trial memoranda and exhibits, and other tasks as may be necessary to the presentation of the evidence
Responsible for all aspects of trial work including the presentation of evidence and overall trial advocacy on behalf of Thurston County or the State of Washington. This work is done independently, with minimal supervision and involves the exercise of considerable professional discretion
May be assigned to handle appeals filed by either party in any criminal case. This work includes but is not limited to legal research, brief writing, and the presentation of oral arguments in state or federal appellate courts
May be asked to provide training presentations to attorneys and staff in the office, law enforcement officers, or other lawyers and legal staff on behalf of other organizations such as the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
May lead or supervise other attorneys or legal support staff
Qualification
Required
Graduation from a recognized and accredited school of law and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association
Basic knowledge of the laws of the State of Washington; the rules and procedures of county, state, and federal courts and administrative agencies, and basic techniques of litigation and trial work
Ability to perform legal research; analyze and apply rules, statutes or other laws or legal principles and precedents to facts to provide advice to clients and formulate arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; work harmoniously with County officials and court personnel; and maintain good public relations
Preferred
Manage a high-volume caseload of domestic violence and special victims cases, overseeing all stages from initial charging decisions through jury trial and sentencing
Prosecute felony and misdemeanor offenses involving physical assault, stalking, harassment, and violations of protection orders
Develop trauma-informed litigation strategies to successfully prosecute cases involving non-cooperative witnesses or recanting victims
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement, medical professionals, and child advocacy centers, to gather forensic and expert testimony
Guide victims through the criminal justice process, ensuring their rights are protected under state law and providing consistent updates on case status
Conduct sensitive pre-trial interviews with survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse, prioritizing emotional safety while securing critical evidence
Coordinate with victim advocates to connect survivors with emergency house, counseling, and legal resources to ensure their long-term safety and cooperation
Draft and argue motions for specialized protection, including no-contact orders and witness anonymity, to prevent further intimidation or harm
Litigate complex evidentiary issues, such as the admissibility of prior bad acts, hearsay exceptions, and forensic medical reports in special victims cases
Present compelling opening and closing arguments that humanized victims while maintaining a rigorous focus on the legal elements of the crime
Train junior attorneys and law enforcement on best practices for documenting domestic violence scenes and interviewing vulnerable witnesses
Solid understanding of laws of the State of Washington, criminal procedure, and the rules of evidence
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical reasoning abilities
Capacity to evaluate cases, apply statutes and case law, and make appropriate charging and disposition decisions
Proficiency in drafting clear, persuasive motions, memoranda, and trial materials
Confidence and professionalism in courtroom presentation and oral advocacy
Ability to effectively examine witnesses, argue motions, and conduct bench or jury trials
Skill in plea negotiations, case preparation, and presentation of evidence
Willingness to develop advocacy skills through mentorship, feedback, and courtroom experience
Commitment to ethical prosecution and the pursuit of justice over convictions
Ability to exercise sound discretion, fairness, and transparency in decision-making
Respect for the rights of victims, defendants, and the broader community
Clear, professional, and respectful communication—both written and verbal
Ability to work effectively with law enforcement, defense counsel, victims, court personnel, and office colleagues
Professional demeanor under pressure and in high-stakes environments
Empathy and sensitivity when interacting with victims and witnesses
Ability to manage a high-volume caseload with accuracy and efficiency
Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple deadlines
Self-motivated, organized, and responsive in a fast-paced team environment
Dedication to justice, public safety, and the fair administration of law
Understanding of the diverse communities served by Thurston County and a willingness to approach the work with cultural awareness and respect
Interest in ongoing professional growth, training, and community engagement
Proficiency with case management and digital evidence systems
Competence with Microsoft Office Suite, legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis), and electronic filing and case management systems
Benefits
Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid.
Company
Thurston County Government
Thurston County, Washington is located at the southern end of Puget Sound in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Founded in 1852Olympia, Washington, USA
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageCompany data provided by crunchbase