Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II
Apply NowCompany: City of Suffolk, VA
Location: Suffolk, VA 23434
Description:
Salary: $87,106.00 - $137,017.00 Annually
Location : Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 03826
Department: COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY
Opening Date: 02/10/2025
Closing Date: 3/3/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
**This is a re-advertisement: Previous applicants do NOT need to re-apply.**
Under limited supervision, performs professional legal work prosecuting criminal suspects on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Work involves performing legal research in the preparation of criminal trials; prosecuting jury and non-jury trials in misdemeanor and the more complex felony criminal cases and/or negotiating settlements; and preparing Appellate Court and other legal briefs, as necessary. Employee is also responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to public officials, law enforcement officials, victims of crime and the general public. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the proper course of action in a variety of legal cases and situations. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and discretion in frequent contact with crime victims, suspects, law enforcement and judicial officials, public officials, and the general public. Reports to the Commonwealth's Attorney and/or a Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions
Required Qualifications
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II - Juris Doctorate degree and 5 years of experience in the practice of criminal law; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skill, knowledge, and ability. Active License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Salary range: $87,106 Min to $111,410
Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of the proceedings, practices, policies, rules and regulations of the practice of criminal law and trial preparation.
Knowledge of all Commonwealth and local laws, codes and ordinances pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, and is able to perform comprehensive legal research.
Knowledge of the structure and operation of the judicial system.
Knowledge of statutory provisions applying to rules of order.
Knowledge of judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of criminal law, including court decisions and pertinent legislation.
Knowledge of the use of the National Crime Information Center computer system.
Skilled in legal writing and public speaking.
Ability to effectively interview criminal suspects, crime victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.
Ability to use common office machinery.
Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.
Ability to prepare and maintain complex legal records. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work.
Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, firmness and discretion in frequent contact with criminal suspects, crime victims, court and law enforcement officials, and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from superiors.
Ability to read a variety of informational documents journals, legal documents, drug analyses, criminal records, docket sheets, police reports, criminal histories, incident reports, driving records, laboratory reports, medical records, warrants, State Police reports, computer printouts, schematics, pre-trial motions, and various other court reports and records. Requires the ability to prepare complaints, motions, summons, orders, subpoenas, correspondence, petitions, trial dockets, action sheets, indictments, trial rosters, plea agreements, and warrants, using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style. Must be able to speak before an audience with poise, voice control and confidence.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; to deal with nonverbal symbolism in its most difficult phases; to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables; to comprehend the most abstruse classes of concepts.
Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to use and interpret criminal law terminology.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; and to determine percentages and decimals. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, and ratio and proportion.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to make major decisions affecting a segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment.
Performance Evaluation Criteria
Quality of Work
Quantity of Work
Dependability
Attendance
Initiative and Enthusiasm
Judgment
Cooperation
Relationships
Coordination of Work
Safety
Physical Requirements
Light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis; or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerance or limits of accuracy. Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which includes a copier, telephone, facsimile machine, etc. Must be able to exert a minimal amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with an emergency. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
FLSA Status
Exempt
Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;
Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.
Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.
Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.
Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.
Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.
Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01
Do you have a Juris Doctor degree?
02
Do you currently hold a valid, active license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia?
03
Do you have a valid driver's license?
04
Do you have any local government experience?
05
Which of the following best summarizes your experience in the practice of criminal law?
06
Have you ever been disciplined by any state or federal bar?
Required Question
Location : Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 03826
Department: COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY
Opening Date: 02/10/2025
Closing Date: 3/3/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
**This is a re-advertisement: Previous applicants do NOT need to re-apply.**
Under limited supervision, performs professional legal work prosecuting criminal suspects on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Work involves performing legal research in the preparation of criminal trials; prosecuting jury and non-jury trials in misdemeanor and the more complex felony criminal cases and/or negotiating settlements; and preparing Appellate Court and other legal briefs, as necessary. Employee is also responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to public officials, law enforcement officials, victims of crime and the general public. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the proper course of action in a variety of legal cases and situations. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and discretion in frequent contact with crime victims, suspects, law enforcement and judicial officials, public officials, and the general public. Reports to the Commonwealth's Attorney and/or a Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions
- Prepares misdemeanor and felony cases for trial, including, but not limited to, negotiating plea agreements, conferring with witnesses and law enforcement and performing legal research.
- Presents cases in court, argues appropriate motions, and recommends sentences to judicial personnel.
- Prepares legal briefs to the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Virginia Supreme Court.
- Provides legal advice and counsel to public officials, law enforcement and the general public.
- Screens cases for prosecution.
- Represents the Commonwealth of Virginia in drug asset forfeiture proceedings.
- Represents the Commonwealth of Virginia in petitions for the restoration of drivers' licenses.
- Prosecutes cases in other jurisdictions as a special prosecutor when those jurisdictions have a conflict of interest that prevents their office from prosecuting a case.
- Conducts preliminary hearings, bench trials, jury trials, sentencing hearings, and revocation hearings.
- Meets with witnesses and crime victims to prepare for trial.
- Conducts preliminary and transfer hearings, as necessary.
- May be responsible for writing the VSTOP Domestic Violence grant and preparing quarterly and final reports.
- May facilitate local domestic violence task force meetings and attend regional task force meetings; may act as member of VSTOP State Team board and attend quarterly meetings; and police officer training.
- Performs legal research and prepares memorandums of law pertaining to assigned criminal cases.
- Synthesizes and integrates analysis of data or information to discover facts and develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures, or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge or interpretations.
- Negotiates, exchanging ideas, information and opinions, with others to formulate policy and programs or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, or solutions.
- Interprets policy as legal counsel and responsible for achieving major economies or preventing major losses.
- Participates in office outreach endeavors.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II - Juris Doctorate degree and 5 years of experience in the practice of criminal law; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skill, knowledge, and ability. Active License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Salary range: $87,106 Min to $111,410
Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of the proceedings, practices, policies, rules and regulations of the practice of criminal law and trial preparation.
Knowledge of all Commonwealth and local laws, codes and ordinances pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, and is able to perform comprehensive legal research.
Knowledge of the structure and operation of the judicial system.
Knowledge of statutory provisions applying to rules of order.
Knowledge of judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of criminal law, including court decisions and pertinent legislation.
Knowledge of the use of the National Crime Information Center computer system.
Skilled in legal writing and public speaking.
Ability to effectively interview criminal suspects, crime victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.
Ability to use common office machinery.
Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.
Ability to prepare and maintain complex legal records. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work.
Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, firmness and discretion in frequent contact with criminal suspects, crime victims, court and law enforcement officials, and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from superiors.
Ability to read a variety of informational documents journals, legal documents, drug analyses, criminal records, docket sheets, police reports, criminal histories, incident reports, driving records, laboratory reports, medical records, warrants, State Police reports, computer printouts, schematics, pre-trial motions, and various other court reports and records. Requires the ability to prepare complaints, motions, summons, orders, subpoenas, correspondence, petitions, trial dockets, action sheets, indictments, trial rosters, plea agreements, and warrants, using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style. Must be able to speak before an audience with poise, voice control and confidence.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; to deal with nonverbal symbolism in its most difficult phases; to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables; to comprehend the most abstruse classes of concepts.
Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to use and interpret criminal law terminology.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; and to determine percentages and decimals. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, and ratio and proportion.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to make major decisions affecting a segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment.
Performance Evaluation Criteria
Quality of Work
Quantity of Work
Dependability
Attendance
Initiative and Enthusiasm
Judgment
Cooperation
Relationships
Coordination of Work
Safety
Physical Requirements
Light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis; or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerance or limits of accuracy. Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which includes a copier, telephone, facsimile machine, etc. Must be able to exert a minimal amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with an emergency. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
FLSA Status
Exempt
Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;
Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.
Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.
Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.
Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.
Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.
Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01
Do you have a Juris Doctor degree?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you currently hold a valid, active license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have a valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have any local government experience?
- Yes
- No
05
Which of the following best summarizes your experience in the practice of criminal law?
- Less than 2 years
- More than 2, but less than 4 years
- More than 4, but less than 6 years
- More than 6, but less than 7 years
- More than 7, but less than 8 years
- More than 8, but less than 9 years
- More than 9, but less than 10 years
- 10 years or more
06
Have you ever been disciplined by any state or federal bar?
- Yes
- No
Required Question