DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the County Prosecutor and the First Assistant Prosecutor, this position is responsible for performing professional legal work in preparing and prosecuting cases in the Superior, Family and Appellate Courts in New Jersey. This position has a high degree of autonomy and works directly with multiple agencies including law enforcement, courts, administration and community groups.
NOTE: The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
- Makes charging decisions following review and evaluation of police reports in light of applicable law.
- Conduct trials and pretrial hearings, with or without assistance.
- Prepares cases for trial and negotiates plea agreements.
- Interviews witnesses, victims, attorneys and law enforcement officers, and presents arguments in court.
- Appears against accused in courts of law and presents evidence before a judge or jury.
- Confers with defense attorneys and/or witnesses in disputed cases and negotiates plea agreements when it is appropriate to do so.
- Prepares written motions, pleadings, arguments, and other memoranda.
- Reviews cases for negotiations, witnesses and discovery.
- Reviews legal documents in preparing cases for trial.
- Works on projects assigned by County Prosecutor or First Assistant Prosecutor, including legal research, drafting, and reviewing documents.
- Participates in ongoing legal education to remain up-to-date on criminal law.
- Serve as a legal advisor to local law enforcement personnel by keeping them apprised of relevant changes in criminal law and procedure through periodic in-service training and regular consultation.
- Analyzes, appraises and organizes facts and precedents to present in a clear and logical form.
- Determines alternative courses of action and anticipates possible courses of action of opposing counsel; uses logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
- Serves as liaison to specialized statewide and county practice groups and task forces.
REQUIREMENTS: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, and a Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited law school. Must be a member, in good standing, of the bar of the State of New Jersey.
LICENSE: Appointee will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated adherence to appropriate rules of professional and ethical conduct as set forth in the Code of Professional Responsibility, or as otherwise prescribed by law or generally accepted professional standards.
- Demonstrated brief writing experience and clear, concise writing style.
- Skill in organizing work, setting priorities and meeting deadlines with minimal direction.
- Skill in dealing courteously and diplomatically with the general public.
- General knowledge of prosecutorial duties, Rules of Criminal Procedures, the Code of Professional Responsibility and other applicable laws and Constitutional case decisions, as well as generally accepted professional standards of performance for public prosecutors.
- General knowledge of the general field of criminal law and procedure; Constitutional doctrines regarding the conduct of the police under the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution; and New Jersey law.
- General knowledge of the specific provisions of Title 39 pertaining to misdemeanor and traffic offenses.
- Basic knowledge of federal, state and local laws pertaining to the rights of crime victims in cases.
- General knowledge of state and local laws pertaining to DUI enforcement and procedures relating to administrative license suspensions.
- General knowledge of all stages of the criminal justice system and of municipal government, court procedures and applicable rules.
- Functional knowledge of computer applications and hardware related to the performance of the essential functions of the job, including the ability to learn new case management and court filing systems with training.
- Ability to conduct extensive legal research; assemble investigative information; and plan, organize and develop trial strategies and prepare various motions, legal memoranda, related documents and correspondence with a high degree of professional competence.
- Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to speak effectively and deliver effective presentations before groups and in a courtroom setting.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, county and state officials and the general public.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all local law enforcement officers and court personnel.
- Ability to effectively prosecute a heavy case load while maintaining administrative efficiency within the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office.
- Ability to effectively deal with crime victims and witnesses in a considerate manner.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
RATE: Salary range: $78,925–$120,654, commensurate with experience (Union: Assistant Prosecutor Association)
Benefits: Health, Pharmacy, and Dental Insurance, State Pension and Life Insurance, Paid Holidays, and Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Personal)
Additional Voluntary Benefits: Vision Insurance, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, 457(b) Accounts, Credit Union Membership, and Tuition Reimbursement
APPLY: Interested and qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to:
Hope Seiber, Office Manager
Salem County Prosecutor’s Office
87 Market St., Salem, NJ 08079
EEOC
This title is unclassified and non-competitive through Civil Service.
Applicants must possess United States citizenship. Residency in Salem County is preferred.