Deputy District Attorney IV

Under the general direction of the District Attorney or designee, performs advanced professional legal work and assigned supervisory responsibilities in the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office. Independently handles the most difficult, complex, novel, sensitive, or significant matters in assigned practice areas while directing and reviewing the legal work of attorneys and support staff as assigned.

Deputy District Attorney IV is a working supervisor who carries a full case load as assigned while supervising assigned attorneys and legal support staff.

Provides legal leadership, supervision, consultation, and coordination within assigned areas. Advises the District Attorney and other office leaders on significant legal issues, case strategy, practices, and procedures. 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a supervisory attorney classification in the Deputy District Attorney series. Attorneys at this level combine advanced legal practice with responsibility for supervising assigned attorneys or legal staff and coordinating legal work.

The Deputy District Attorney IV is distinguished from the Deputy District Attorney III by assigned supervisory responsibility, accountability for a caseload requiring substantial knowledge, and litigation experience, as well as the work and development of others.  The Deputy District Attorney III is an advanced non-supervisory attorney classification.

The Deputy District Attorney IV is distinguished from Deputy District Attorney V by the broader executive, office-wide management, and strategic responsibilities assigned to the Deputy District Attorney V level.

Attorneys at this level exercise advanced legal judgment, develop case and litigation strategies, identify training needs, improve work processes, and serve as senior legal resources in their assigned areas.

An employee in this classification is an at-will employee serving at the pleasure of the District Attorney.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the District Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney. Exercises substantial independence in assigned legal and supervisory matters and consults on novel, highly sensitive, or consequential decisions as appropriate.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises assigned attorneys or legal support staff, including assigning and reviewing work, providing direction and coaching, addressing performance issues, and participating in evaluations and other personnel actions consistent with County policy and authority delegated by the District Attorney.

This is a senior lead attorney classification and is not ordinarily a formal personnel-management classification.

Deputy District Attorney IV attorneys may provide direction, consultation, training, mentoring, case coordination, work coordination, and professional guidance to Deputy District Attorneys and legal support staff. They may assist with the assignment and review of legal work and may provide professional feedback regarding the work of less experienced attorneys.

Formal personnel supervision, including performance evaluations, discipline, and other personnel actions, remains with the District Attorney, respective Chief Deputy District Attorney, or other authorized supervisors unless specifically delegated or assigned.

(Performance of these functions is the reason the job exists. Assigned job tasks/duties are not limited to the essential functions.)

1. Prosecutes criminal cases; evaluates charging decisions; prepares cases and witnesses for court; conducts negotiations, hearings, trials, sentencing proceedings, and other criminal proceedings; and performs related prosecutorial duties. 
2. Evaluates requests for criminal prosecution by analyzing the facts, evidence, and applicable law; determines whether criminal charges are legally and factually supported or whether additional investigation or evidence is required. 
3. Advises law enforcement officers and other criminal justice agencies regarding criminal law, investigations, warrants, evidence, criminal proceedings, and procedures. 
4. Interprets and applies statutes, constitutional provisions, court decisions, regulations, rules, and other legal authorities in the preparation and handling of assigned matters. 
5. Conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda, opinions, briefs, appeals, pleadings, reports, and other written legal work. 
6. Handles criminal appellate and post-conviction matters, including appellate briefing, extraordinary writ proceedings, post-conviction habeas corpus matters, oral argument, and other appellate proceedings as assigned; analyzes complex issues of criminal law, constitutional law, and criminal procedure; and provides legal guidance regarding appellate issues arising from criminal prosecutions. 
7. Provides legal representation and services in specialized areas of legal practice within the jurisdiction and responsibilities of the District Attorney’s Office, including civil litigation, juvenile delinquency, child welfare and dependency, child support establishment and enforcement, guardianship, administrative proceedings, and other specialized legal matters, as assigned. 
8. Provides legal advice and representation to County departments, elected officials, boards, commissions, special districts, and other governmental entities, as assigned; attends meetings as legal counsel when assigned; and advises regarding applicable law, governmental procedures, and County operations. 
9. Drafts, reviews, and assists in the preparation of contracts, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, policies, regulations, and other legal or governmental documents. 
10. Communicates and works with victims, witnesses, law enforcement officers, attorneys, County officials and employees, governmental agencies, courts, and members of the public in connection with assigned legal matters. 
11. Manages an assigned caseload and performs other professional legal duties necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the District Attorney’s Office. 
12. Manages assigned legal matters; prioritizes and coordinates workloads, deadlines, case quality, and compliance with applicable law and office procedures of subordinates, assigns caseloads in accordance with the direction of the District Attorney or assigned Chief District Attorney.
13. Supervises assigned personnel effectively; assigns and reviews work; gives clear direction and constructive feedback; trains and develops attorneys and staff; follows supervisory direction; addresses performance concerns through appropriate channels; and works effectively with victims, witnesses, law enforcement, County officials, courts, and the public.
14. Assists the District Attorney and respective Chief Deputy District Attorney with significant legal matters, development of legal strategies, and other professional legal responsibilities as assigned. 
15. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (KSAs are the attributes required to perform a job; generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or training.)

Knowledge of: 

Advanced knowledge of the substantive law, procedure, evidence, constitutional principles, legal research and writing, and ethical duties applicable to assigned practice areas; principles of legal supervision, case review, workload management, and professional development.

Knowledge of County and District Attorney’s Office functions, policies, and legal responsibilities and supervisory duties.  

Ability to:

Independently analyze and resolve difficult, complex, novel, sensitive, or significant legal matters; develop and execute legal strategies; exercise advanced professional judgment; and provide clear, reliable advice to the District Attorney, assigned staff, and governmental clients as appropriate.

Prepare and present significant matters in courts, administrative proceedings, and other forums as assigned; communicate effectively orally and in writing; manage demanding legal assignments; and coordinate priorities and deadlines across assigned work.

To make sound decisions on complex or significant legal matters and to direct, review, and improve the work of other legal professionals.

To manage priorities, provide feedback and training, and exercise judgment in personnel and operational matters within delegated authority.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training, education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to gain the required knowledge and ability is:

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is:

License or Certificate:

Humboldt County is an Equal Employment Opportunity provider in the services it offers.