Lead Prosecuting Attorney

Basic Function

Under the direction of the City Attorney, the Lead Prosecuting Attorney serves as the City’s primary prosecutor for misdemeanor and gross-misdemeanor criminal cases and select civil matters, including code compliance. This role represents the City in arraignments, pre-trial hearings, motions, jury and bench trials, appeals, probation violations, and related proceedings.

The position supervises and manages the Criminal Division, providing leadership, direction, and support to staff and ensuring high standards of professionalism, fairness, and accountability. This role requires sound judgment, excellent courtroom skills, the ability to manage a complex caseload, and the capacity to navigate a fast-paced environment with resilience and clarity.

In alignment with the City’s broader organizational values, the Lead Prosecuting Attorney is expected to promote trust, communicate effectively, demonstrate courage and integrity in decision-making, and foster a collaborative, respectful work culture.

Representative Duties

• Serve as Lead Prosecuting Attorney in criminal misdemeanor cases filed by the City; represent the City in jury and bench trials, arraignments, pre-trials, motions, sentencing, probation violations, and other misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor hearings and cases and probable cause; investigate and charge criminal cases; prepare documents including complaints, memorandums, and jury instructions; make plea offers and negotiate in various cases. E
• Manage and organize case information and analyze pertinent case facts and evidence; research legal precedent and develop arguments as appropriate; perform a variety of case preparation duties such as brief writing, negotiating, and interviewing witnesses; litigate cases from filing through conviction and appeal. E
• Supervise and delegate/assign work to Prosecuting Attorney and support staff in the criminal division in accordance with the City’s policies, procedures, labor contracts, applicable laws, and its vision, mission, and values. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, participating in the hiring decisions, discipline, and formally evaluating performance. E
• Communicate with witnesses, police, other attorneys, and defendants as needed; communicate and coordinate with court administrative personnel, City departments, Public Defenders, and other personnel in matters related to criminal cases. E
• Perform legal research and prepare opinions related to various legal issues; prepare and draft ordinances and resolutions, contracts and other legal documents and instruments. E
• Communicate and coordinate with City departments including police, code compliance, and court staff, regarding procedure, the legality of documents and instruments, and the prosecution of criminal cases. E
• Assist the Prosecuting Attorney and support staff with professional development. Serve as mentor, coach, trainer, and daily educator. E
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

E denotes an essential function of the job

To view the entire job description including a list of representative duties, please click here.

Required Education And Experience

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT

A cover letter and resume are required with your application. Applications missing either document will not be considered.

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• A minimum of seven (7) years criminal legal experience.
• At least three (3) years prosecution experience required.
• A combination of education, training and experience that provides the candidate with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform the job will be considered.
  
  

Knowledge Of

City and State laws related to the prosecution of court cases.

• Municipal government organizational structure, operations, policies, objectives and
  
  

jurisdiction.

• Legal research methodology.
• City organizations, operations, policies, and objectives.
• Supervisory principles and practices.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of civil and criminal law including court
  
  

procedures and rules and case decisions.

Skill In

Case preparation and litigation techniques.

• Negotiation and trial techniques.
• Oral and written communication.
• Interpersonal skills exercising tact, diplomacy, patience, and courtesy.
• Methods, principles and practices of effective conflict resolution.
• Interpreting and explaining codes, rules, and regulations.
  
  

Ability To

• Prepare and deliver oral presentations and arguments.
• Supervise, train, assign, and review the work of direct reports.
• Research, draft, and author briefs, opinions, and ordinances.
• Analyze, evaluate, organize and prepare case information.
• Organize and analyze case facts and legal precedents.
• Establish guidelines, and best practices for prosecuting criminal cases.
• Maintain confidentiality and operate with discretion as appropriate.
• Provide assistance on civil matters.
  
  

Licenses And Other Requirements

• Admission to the Washington State Bar Association.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and satisfactory three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
  
  

The City of SeaTac offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to all eligible employees. These benefits include the following:

Medical Benefits/Life Insurance

• Regence Medical Insurance: choice of a copay or High Deductible Plan with option of a Health Savings Account
• Kaiser Permanente with a Deductible
• Choice of Delta Dental of Washington or Willamette Dental Group for Employer Paid Dental Plans
• VSP is Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance with the Hartford Insurance Company
• Employer Paid Long Term Disability with Standard Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program with Compsych
  
  

Retirement:

Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS); employee and employer contribute to the plan.

Social Security Replacement

The City contributes 5.058% to the 401a Social Security Replacement Plan with MissionSquare 401a. Employee contributes 6.2%.

Deferred Compensation

Employees have the option of contributing to an MissionSquare 457 plan.

Paid Leave

• Accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month
• Accrue 8 hours of vacation leave per month
• 11 paid holidays; 2 floating holidays per year
• Management leave for exempt personnel
  
  

Tuition Reimbursement: employees are eligible to participate after completion of their probationary period.

Wellness Program: Fun and engaging wellness activities to encourage a healthy work place.

Commuter Trip Reduction Program: The City provides incentives to reduce single occupancy vehicle commute, and provides a monthly pass up to $100 to cover transit needs.

01

Do you certify that you have read the entire job description and acknowledge that you can can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Do you have at least seven (7) years of criminal legal experience?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Do you have at least three (3) years of prosecution experience involving misdemeanor or gross-misdemeanor cases?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Please indicate your level of experience conducting jury trials in criminal cases.

• No jury trial experience
• Assisted or second-chaired trials
• Independently conducted 1–5 jury trials
• Independently conducted 6 or more jury trials
  
  

05

How would you rate your experience supervising or leading legal staff?

• No supervisory experience
• Occasional lead or mentorship duties
• Regular supervisory responsibilities
• Full supervisory experience including hiring, evaluation, and discipline
  
  

06

Describe your experience making charging decisions and evaluating probable cause in criminal cases.

07

This role requires managing conflict and communicating with diverse stakeholders, including defendants, defense attorneys, and police. How comfortable are you navigating conflict in a legal setting?

• Uncomfortable
• Somewhat comfortable
• Comfortable
• Very comfortable
  
  

08

Please describe a time you exercised sound legal judgment under pressure, such as during trial, negotiations, or emergency court proceedings.

• Required Question