ADA Unit Supervisor

Starting Compensation:

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Assistant District Attorney who supervises the Domestic Violence Victims Unit must: 

• Oversee prosecution of all misdemeanor and felony domestic violence, and Indirect Criminal Contempt prosecutions relating to protection from abuse cases.  This includes the following approximate annual case load:  domestic violence/criminal: 500 cases; domestic violence/PFA violations: 250.  These duties include case assignment and active monitoring and supervision of all cases in the unit and all unit members.  It should be noted that many of the cases in the unit are extremely victim and subject nature sensitive and thus take more resources and specialized skills than other units.  Further, in light of the nature of the cases the supervisor of this unit must take extra care to ensure staff are complying with the unit protocols and victim rights are given special consideration.
• Reports to the First Assistant District Attorney concerning unit case status and unique unit issues of which there are many.  This area of prosecution is particularly challenging as well as more fluid than many other areas and thus requires an absolute expert in their field of practice
• Be responsible for personal caseload including investigation review/consultation; victim interviews, preliminary hearing, appropriate bail hearings, pretrial matters, plea negotiations, trials, and post-trial and appellate matters.  Because this unit's cases are victim-sensitive (domestic/physical or sexual assault), it is imperative that the ADA has knowledge of all pertinent victim impact information  in the present case, as well as any relevant history of defendant's abuse towards other victims. 
• Consult with necessary persons for case preparation and disposition including victims, witnesses, police officers, legal advocates, probation officers and civil attorneys.  DV-ADAs must be aware of the status of any on-going family law proceedings (i.e., divorce, custody, PFA, Children and Youth) and their possible impact on the criminal prosecution.
• Provide local trainings for municipal and PSP law enforcement agencies to familiarize departments with the county Domestic Violence Police Response Protocol and local court procedure, and to provide legal updates on domestic violence investigation and prosecution.  Review new domestic violence prosecution techniques and procedures nationwide.  Recommend appropriate procedures for the District Attorney’s consideration for local implementation.
• Grant Coordinator for Lancaster County STOP Violence Against Women Project, including coordinating grant application to PCCD; collecting statistical data and preparing annual program report to PCCD; liaison to PCCD in all reporting matters.
• Sits on the following committees: STOP Grant Coordinating Team; Judicial PFA Coordinating Team; Lancaster County Children's Alliance Advisory Committee.
• Ensure that all scheduled DV/IP matters - DV Central Court/PFA-ICC Court, specially scheduled SBI felony preliminary hearings, after hours on-call, criminal trials, etc. are appropriately staffed.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position supervises Special Victims Unit Personnel, including a number of Assistant District Attorneys, and works closely with two Paralegals, two victim/witness advocates, and a county detective.
• This position reports to the First Assistant District Attorney with oversight by the District Attorney.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Supervise DV personnel and administrate cases to include plea negotiation advice and approvals as well as merit reviews for all unit members.
• Prosecute personal caseload as described above including but not limited to PFA violations, assault, stalking, burglary, and homicide.
• Liaison to various committees working with SVU staff described above.
• Other general prosecution tasks/duties listed above.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Present guilty plea lists to court.
• Present parole violation hearings.
• Represent the office in bench warrant court.
• Handle questions from and advise police officers and less experienced prosecutors on cases and law.
• Present sentencings.
• Respond to crime scenes to assist investigations as needed.
• Act as Duty DA to be on call for the office on a rotating basis.
• Draft appellate briefs.
• Provide trainings to police when requested by the DA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Juris Doctorate
• Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of PA

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• This ADA who holds this position must be an expert in PA criminal prosecutions particularly of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse;
• Must be able to provide effective training to law enforcement personnel on these issues;
• Must be able to direct a major criminal investigation;
• Must be able to work with law enforcement, other government agencies, and private victim service agencies. 

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Juris Doctorate
• Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of PA
• Background check

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required.
• Must be able to work extended hours when in a trial and/or on a major investigation as needed.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.