Deputy City Prosecutor

Salary Range

$11,956.00 - $17,933.00

Job Summary

The City of Vancouver is currently recruiting for a Deputy City Prosecutor who would serve as the Criminal Division Chief and first in succession to the City Prosecutor in periods of unavailability. The primary responsibilities for the job are to be responsible for ensuring the effective presentation of the City’s legal position in criminal prosecution matters, to include prosecuting misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors in District Court and handling appeals in Superior Court and the Court of Appeals. To provide legal advice to City departments, conduct legal research and staff specialty courts and provide direct supervision of attorneys and support staff within the Criminal Division of the City Attorney’s Office.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.

A cover letter and resume are required; applications submitted without both will not be considered.

This position is contingent on City Council approval, as part of the 2026 - First Supplemental Budget.

Job Details

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with the City Prosecutor to affirm a shared understanding of goals and objectives. Represent the City by prosecuting various criminal offenses, municipal code violations and probation violations. Prepare pre-trial motions and jury instructions; prepare for and defend against motions to limit evidence or suppress evidence; initiate or respond to appeals, writs of review; write briefs and oral arguments. Conduct jury and bench trials.
• Supervise Assistant City Attorneys and legal staff assigned to the Criminal Division to ensure that their legal presentation and advice to clients are rendered in a manner consistent with department standards on a broad range of criminal legal matters.
• Evaluate Assistant City Attorneys’ performance, provide performance feedback, facilitative leadership, coaching, counseling and discipline on an as-needed basis.
• Work collaboratively with the City Attorney to ensure that the department maintains a reputation of professional excellence.
• Attend meetings, boards and commissions in-person to provide legal advice and representation.
• Conduct plea negotiations with defense attorneys and pro se defendants
• Coordinate investigation efforts with Vancouver Police and cultivation of partnerships with social service programs and law enforcement.
• Review reports and conduct legal research.
• Review police reports and make charging decisions on criminal cases.
• Locate and interview witnesses.
• Act as internal counsel in advising City officials on the development and interpretation of municipal policy and actions related to the domestic violence unit, various legal specialties, and applicable areas as assigned.
• Represent the City in therapeutic courts (Veteran’s Court, Substance Abuse Court, Mental Health Court.) Staff cases for admission, sanctions, termination and graduation. Exercise veto power over admissibility when appropriate. Ensure court follows a best practices model.
• Seek restitution for crime victims.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Seven (7) or more years of relevant criminal law experience as an attorney with an emphasis on criminal prosecution. Prior supervisory experience or demonstrated leadership experience preferred.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word. Proficiency in using online legal research services such as LexisAdvance.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• License and membership in good standing in the Washington State Bar Association.

Knowledge

• Legal Principles and their application within area of assignment, including but not limited to criminal law and criminal procedure
• Methods, procedures, and practices used in the preparation of legal instruments
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence
• Precedents applicable to criminal prosecution and all other assigned legal specialties
• Organization, powers and limitations of municipalities
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a municipal law program
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws that pertain to: area of assignment
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

Abilities

• Perform the complete range of criminal prosecution legal work and present cases before any court within the state
• Analyze legal problems and apply legal principles and practices
• Present facts, arguments and laws clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Conduct legal research
• Draft ordinances, contracts and other legal instruments, including pleadings and briefs
• Represent the City in various civil and criminal proceedings
• Prepare sound legal opinions
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance management and evaluation
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
• Responsible for ensuring a safe workplace in compliance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations. Ensures supervised employee review of the City Core Accident Prevention Plan, relevant safety policies and procedures, and training on illness and injury response and specific job-related safety concerns. Reports and appropriately escalates all safety issues and all injuries.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check, a driving abstract and may include a fingerprint-based criminal history check.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us

Job Posting End Date

April 13, 2026