Diversion Program Coordinator Attorney (assistant Commonwealth Attorney Ii)

Job Announcement

The Office of Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano seeks a Diversion Program Coordinator Attorney (Assistant Commonwealth Attorney II) to coordinate the office’s diversion program. This individual will manage the office’s caseload in Veteran’s Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, and Drug Treatment Court. They will also coordinate the office’s diversion pilots in partnership with community-based organization OAR. Responsibilities will include covering court proceedings, reviewing referrals in consultation with other attorneys, attending stakeholder meetings, supervising the capacity of each diversion docket, and serving as the key point of contact for all diversion programs. Responsibilities may also include tracking recent trends and research in the field of diversion and determining how currents programs may be improved or expanded consistent with the agency’s mission.

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 writes memoranda regarding updates in the law and new issues arising in the prosecution of certain laws;
• Assists higher level attorneys with legal research and writing on constitutional motions and appeal briefs;
• 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 legal research methods;
• Ability to learn the criminal laws under the Code of Virginia and Fairfax County Code and the court decisions affecting the prosecution of those laws;
• 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 cases;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, law enforcement, 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, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Graduation from an accredited law school; plus one year 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 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; 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 and credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.
• All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Duties are generally sedentary, performed in a normal office environment. Visual activity is required to read data on computer monitor. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEURE:
Panel interview.

TO APPLY:
Please send a resume and cover letter to benjamin.shnider@fairfaxcounty.gov w ith “Diversion Program Coordinator Attorney” in the subject line.

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.

This job announcement is listed as "Open Continuous". Interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and qualified applicants will be referred until the position(s) have been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered.

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 military status 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.