Section Chief - Juvenile Unit

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!

The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced and highly motivated attorney to serve as the Juvenile Unit Section Chief. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the prosecution of juvenile offender and Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases, providing legal guidance and supervision to attorneys and support staff, and ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the Juvenile Unit. The ideal candidate will possess strong legal expertise, sound judgment, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to serving the community. This position works collaboratively with law enforcement, the judiciary, community partners, and other stakeholders while helping develop and implement policies and procedures that support the mission of the District Attorney’s Office.

The starting salary for this position is $131,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Essential Duties:

• Maintains a functional knowledge of Constitutional law, federal law, federal and state case law, Kansas statutes, municipal codes, criminal procedures, rules of evidence, local court rules, professional ethical standards, administrative regulations, and applicable civil laws, rules, and procedures to serve as a subject matter expert and make appropriateprosecutorial decisions including arrest, search, bond recommendations, and criminal charging regarding complex and high-level felony district court cases.
• Applies previously described legal expertise to responsibly and effectively prepare criminal cases for presentation to the court through review of evidence, persuasive legal argument, effective motions practice, effective legal research, successfully interviewing witnesses and victims, etc.
• Applies previously described legal expertise to responsibly and effectively present complex and high-level felony cases to the court and serve as a local subject matter expert for an area of practice within the organization.
• At all times promotes positive and collaborative professional working relationships with agency partners including internal partners, law enforcement - to include 24/7 on-call availability for area of suppression, the judiciary, members of the defense bar, crime victims, members of the public, members of community-based organizations, and other colleagues to include, as needed, serving as a media contact for assigned cases or matters relevant to delegated area of subject matter expertise.
• Maintains required continuing legal education hours and pursue elective continuing education opportunities that foster development of subject matter expertise.
• Assumes responsibility for the professional development and organizational advancement of internal and external partners through teaching appointments, such as at the Police Academy, and through leadership appointments to boards and/or committees for projects or agency partnerships.
• Represents the State of Kansas in cases beyond the 10th Judicial District, by appointment as a Special Prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, or Special Assistant Attorney General or by researching, drafting, and presenting appellate arguments. Will, with the approval and at the request of the District Attorney, propose and present new legislation to the Kansas legislature.
• Provide strategic input toward the development of the organization to include on-going review and implementation of policies, processes, and procedures and identification and presentation of resource needs to the District Attorney.
• Provide strategic input toward the development of the organization to include on-going review and implementation of policies, processes, and procedures and identification and presentation of resource needs to the District Attorney.
• Supervises a team of legal professionals to include assisting in the recruitment and selection of entry-level attorneys, developing, implementing, and monitoring team goals, performance, policies, and procedures, manage professionaldevelopment of team members, ensure equitable case distribution among team members and related case coverage, provide substantive feedback for team member evaluations, provide on-going, daily coaching and counseling, trouble shoot processes, procedures, legal questions, or personnel matters among team members, and remain available to legal team members in an on-call capacity 24/7.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate, active Kansas license to practice law, and eight years of prosecution experience are required. Experience serving as lead counsel on high level and/or complex criminal cases for at least 25 jury trials, 50 bench trials or appellate briefs, or some combination thereof is required. Demonstrated leadership abilities through appointments to community/agency partner boards, service project leadership, etc is required. KS/MO driver’s license may be required.
• Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions. Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation. May be required, as needed, to handle physical evidence, which may include weapons, biological materials, etc.
• Will be exposed to photos, videos, written reports, and other materials that may be disturbing.
• May be required, as needed, to work additional hours during times of jury trials and on-call.