Assistant City Prosecutor | Firearm Prosecutor | Criminal Division

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Firearm prosecutor is responsible for supporting the development of policies, procedures, and trainings for best practices related to firearms work in Seattle Municipal Court, King County District Court, and King County Superior Court. The Firearm prosecutor will work in coordination with the Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit. With a focus on harm reduction and prevention, the mission of the Regional Unit is to reduce gun violence and increase victim and community safety through regional collaboration and proactive enforcement of firearms laws. This Regional Unit is the culmination of a multi-year system review, dedicated to developing effective strategies for Washington State’s Protection Order firearm relinquishment law (RCW 9.41) and Extreme Risk Protection Order law (RCW 7.94).

• Support the development of procedures to reduce gun violence and increase victim and community safety through regional collaboration and proactive enforcement of firearms laws;
• Participate in weekly case staffing meetings to review and develop cases within the Regional Unit;
• Appear in court at King County Superior Court for weekly Firearms Compliance Review hearings.
• Appear in court at Seattle Municipal Court for Firearm Status hearings. 
• Testify before House or Senate committees regarding firearms legislation;
• Work closely with law enforcement to review cases, obtain search warrants, and retrieve firearms;
• Develop trainings for attorneys and law enforcement;
• File criminal firearms charges at the City;
• File civil contempt charges at King County;
• Manage and prosecute a caseload of firearms cases;
• Assist in Regional Unit Division policy formulation, implementation, and enforcement; and
• Other duties as assigned.

• Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or eligibility to obtain membership within 30 days of an employment offer.
• Two years’ minimum criminal prosecution experience, preferably including:
  • Domestic violence prosecution experience
  • Jury trials
  • Filing criminal charges
• Experience working with crime victims, advocates, and law enforcement;
• Expertise in Case Development (investigation, witness interviews and filing charges);
• Experience in training and mentoring prosecutors;
• A practical knowledge of common firearm types and basic terminology, or ability and desire to learn quickly;
• A high level of analysis is necessary in assessing risk/danger/threat of each case and triaging those cases appropriately; and
• Implement, follow, and enforce policies and decisions made by the Unit supervisor, Criminal Division Deputy Chief, and the Criminal Division Chief.

Union: Local 21-PA 

Application Process – For your application to be accepted, you must:

Application Submission Guidelines – All applicants must submit their applications by the closing date indicated in the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email or on websites such as Indeed will not be considered unless the individual has applied for the position through the Government Jobs site. Note: The required documents listed in the "Application Process" section above must be attached to the application prior to the indicated job closing date to ensure consideration of the application. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] on or before the closing date indicated above should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation – The full pay range for this step-progression position is $50.15 - $67.12 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $50.15 hourly. Current City employees' starting pay rate will be based on the Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, 12 official holidays, 2 floating holidays, sick leave, and paid parental leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits is available at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits under “Most Employee Benefits”.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a federal program that forgives the remaining balance of your federal student loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments are made while working full-time for a qualifying public service employer. Forgiveness is tax-free by statute under 26 U.S.C. § 108(f)(1).  Learn more about PSLF and confirm whether your loans and payments qualify. StudentAid.Gov/PSLF

Language Premium (Protec 17, L21PA)* – Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Workplace Environment – The Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Office Location: Columbia Center, 701 5^th Avenue, Suite 2050, Seattle, WA 98104 

Background Check Requirements – All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at [email protected].