Job Announcement

The Office of Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano seeks an Asst Commonwealth Attorney III to be assigned a combination of cases to include misdemeanor offenses in the General District Court level and more serious felony cases at the Circuit Court level. Depending on level of experience, assignments generally include the prosecution of misdemeanor cases in General District Court (DUI, traffic offenses, and simple drug possession), and the prosecution of felony cases to include violent crimes (murder, rape, abduction, robbery etc.)

Prepares and prosecutes misdemeanor cases and felony cases, conduct legal research and argument for hearings, compose appellate briefs, advise local law enforcement agencies, and work closely with victim/witness advocates. Due to the high caseload, the attorney must be organized, work efficiently, be flexible, and be able to think on his or her feet in busy and time-pressured situations. As experience, knowledge, and skills are obtained and developed, the ACA III will mentor and assist with the development of ACA I, ACA II, and staff.

“Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in Virginia and the Commonwealth’s Attorney is the chief prosecutor for the County as well as the leader of its criminal justice system. The County is also increasingly diverse - 16% Latin American, 19% Asian American, and 10% African American as of 2019.

Upon taking office in January of 2020, Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano embarked on an ambitious criminal justice reform agenda that has included restructuring the office to produce accountability around reforms, ending the prosecution of marijuana possession, ending the use of cash bail, issuing a comprehensive policy to address mass incarceration, and the formulation of a Justice Advisory Council. The office seeks to add team members with a passion for criminal justice reform and working to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in our local justice system.”

Note: This job announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Illustrative Duties

• Represents the Commonwealth of Virginia in prosecutions of violations of criminal law.
• Appears in General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to prosecute criminal misdemeanors and traffic offenses.
• Appears in Circuit Court to prosecute the appeal of misdemeanor offenses in jury and bench trials.
• Appears in Circuit Court to prosecute felony offenses in jury and bench trials.
• Conducts legal research and composes briefs in opposition to constitutional motions and petitions for appeal.
• Drafts correspondence on legal matters.
• Advises County and State law enforcement officials concerning the investigation of criminal violations and trial preparation.
• Reviews search warrants, affidavits and court orders submitted by law enforcement for the obtaining of evidence related to criminal cases.
• Advises citizens of Fairfax County on issues relating to criminal law violations in the community and court procedure.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of law and their application.
• Knowledge of trial procedure and the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of criminal law; including trial practice, motion practice, and appellate practice.
• Knowledge of the criminal laws under the Code of Virginia and Fairfax County Code and the court decisions affecting the prosecution of those laws.
• Knowledge of legal research methods.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently prosecute felony cases.
• Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
• Ability to interview victims, witnesses and law enforcement to obtain the necessary information to prosecute criminal cases.
• Ability to maintain an effective working relations hip with associates, law enforcement officials, the judiciary and the general public.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar.
• Any combination of education, training and experience equivalent to: graduation from an accredited law school; plus two years of experience as a practicing attorney.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with law enforcement personnel, expert witnesses, and lay witnesses; effectively address, with sensitivity, the needs of victims of crime; work proficiently in a collaborative, team environment, engage people of various social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial and ethnic backgrounds; maintain a fast-paced workload/docket while keeping case files and workplace organized; prepare and present cases before a trial court in a short period of time; and establish and maintain constructive, effective and professional relationships with fellow attorneys, public officials, judicial officers and the public.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Duties are generally sedentary, performed in a normal office environment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

NOTE: The appointee(s) of the position(s) have a one (1) year probationary period. Employment is at-will serving at the pleasure of the Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney.

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.