Job Announcement

The County Attorney's Office is seeking an attorney with high-quality legal knowledge and skills in the area of mental health services; solid litigation and trial experience in administrative and state courts; and proficiency in researching, writing, and public speaking. The position is in the Office of the County Attorney's Community Services Board section, which represents Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, county agencies (including department heads, division directors, and other employees), and does related work as required.

The successful applicant will personally represent the county’s interests in civil commitment hearings before Special Justices that take place every weekday for individuals who have been recommended by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for involuntary hospitalization for mental health treatment. This position requires daily attendance at early morning hearings Monday - Friday, as well as work on weekends and holidays. This position requires in-person attendance at the daily hearings.

Fairfax County's Office of the County Attorney functions as in-house counsel to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, department heads, division directors, and other employees. Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia with more than 1.1 million residents and more than 12,000 employees. Fairfax County government is widely recognized as a superior government organization. In 2019, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) announced that it had awarded its Certificate of Excellence to Fairfax County for the tenth consecutive year. The county is among only 27 jurisdictions across the nation recognized by ICMA in 2019 for its superior efforts and results in performance measurement and management with this award - the organization's highest level of recognition.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the sources of legal reference;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of law;
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and court decisions affecting the practice of the law;
• Ability to learn Fairfax County ordinances and resolutions;
• Ability to analyze facts and reach logical conclusions;
• Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, County officials and the public.

Employment Standards

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four years of experience in the practice of civil law in the employ of a municipal or county government, or acceptable equivalent experience. Litigation experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
License to practice law in the state of Virginia.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated litigation experience and demonstrated experience in handling civil commitment hearings and mental health matters.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check.
• All positions allocated to the County Attorney series are under the Fairfax County Merit System of personnel administration and are limited to full-time employment and preclude the private practice of law. However, the phrase "private practice of law" does not include the provision of pro bono public legal services in a pro bono legal services program approved by the County Attorney and in accordance with the policy of the County Attorney governing participation in an approved program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor; incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Ability to lift up to 15 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.