AN OUTSTANDING CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Join the Seattle City Attorney’s Office Criminal Division and launch or advance your litigation career while making a meaningful impact on public safety and justice. As an Assistant City Prosecutor, you will manage a diverse caseload, develop courtroom and trial advocacy skills, and represent the City in a wide range of misdemeanor criminal matters.

ABOUT SEATTLE

Seattle is a city that combines breathtaking natural beauty with the energy of a thriving urban center. Nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Seattle offers year-round access to outdoor recreation, from sailing and paddleboarding to hiking and skiing. Home to more than 740,000 residents, the city is a major hub for commerce, culture, technology, and international trade, known for its vibrant arts scene, professional sports, iconic waterfront, and world-famous Pike Place Market.

The City of Seattle is driven by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, equity, and public service. With more than 12,000 employees across 40 departments, the City works every day to enhance the quality of life for residents through services that support transportation, housing, public safety, environmental stewardship, arts and culture, and more. Joining the City of Seattle means becoming part of a diverse and dedicated workforce focused on creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and building a city where everyone can live, work, and thrive.

THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and the third-largest public law office in Washington State. The Office is dedicated to fostering a safe, healthy, thriving, and inclusive community for all residents. Guided by a commitment to integrity, fairness, and innovation, the Office works to advance justice while addressing historical inequities within the legal system through continuous self-assessment and improvement. Through transparent practices and collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders, the Office strives to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and community trust.

THE POSITION

The Assistant City Prosecutor position is an exciting opportunity for attorneys to learn to manage dynamic caseloads and develop trial skills. Prosecutors represent the City in prosecuting misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and traffic infractions in Seattle Municipal Court, including driving under the influence, domestic violence, theft, assault, property damage, and trespassing. The City Attorney’s Office rotates prosecutors through units dedicated to reviewing incident reports and filing cases, trials, and domestic violence cases. Opportunities also exist for prosecutors to work in therapeutic courts - Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court.

Key responsibilities include representing the City of Seattle in the prosecution of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal offenses, probation violations, and related matters; reviewing citations, arrest reports, and other law enforcement documentation, gathering and evaluating facts, conducting legal research and analysis, and determining when criminal charges are appropriate; managing an assigned caseload from intake through resolution by working closely with witnesses and crime victims, negotiating plea agreements, and developing prosecution and trial strategies in collaboration with supervisory attorneys; conducting witness interviews and examinations, presenting persuasive oral arguments, and advocating effectively in a courtroom setting; and assisting experienced prosecutors with complex misdemeanor prosecutions, including arraignments, motions, plea negotiations, evidentiary hearings, and trial preparation.

QUALIFICATIONS

The City welcomes applications from licensed attorneys and Rule 9 Licensed Legal Interns awaiting bar examination results. Candidates must either be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association or be eligible to obtain membership within 30 days of an offer of employment. Individuals hired under Rule 9 status must successfully pass the Washington State Bar Examination and obtain Washington State Bar Association membership within six months of their hire date.

A successful candidate will have the knowledge and skills to effectively manage a large and diverse trial­ focused caseload; thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence and criminal procedure; effective legal  research and writing; persuasive advocacy skills; ability to quickly address a wide variety of legal issues; creativity in developing different solutions to problems; and flexibility to respond to competing demands.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for the Assistant City Prosecutor is $104,312 to $139,609, with a typical starting salary of $104,312 and reaching top salary after six years. Higher qualified candidates may begin with a higher starting salary. The City offers an excellent benefits package including retirement provided through the Seattle City Employee’s Retirement System (SCERS) and the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Apply immediately – This recruitment will close once a strong pool of candidates has been established. Interested candidates must apply online by clicking on the APPLY HERE button on this page. Applicants will be asked to include a cover letter, resume, and a legal writing sample that is 5-15 pages in length (this can be an excerpt from a larger sample).

CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRES ARE WELCOMED TO THE SEATTLE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES:

Travis Parke, HR Manager | travis.parke@Seattle.gov | (206) 684-0921