Minimum Qualifications for Assistant County AttorneyThe employee must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota. The employee is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license.
For Senior Assistant County AttorneyRequires a minimum of eight years of prosecution experience (including felonies) and more complicated civil matters).
2026 Salary Range for Assistant County Attorney$90168.00-$126484.80
2026 Salary Range for Senior Assistant County Attorney$103230.40-$144830.40
Benefits May Include:Paid Time Off
Low Cost Medical Plan
Pension plan that provides income when you retire
Employer paid life insurance
Employer paid short term disability
Tax free expense accounts for health, dental and dependent care
Employee Assistance Program for work/life support
Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Assistant County Attorney- Provides legal advise, support and representation to County officials, department heads and employees
- This position represents the County in litigation, including pleadings, motions, legal research and court appearances.
- Prepare cases for trial by analyzing investigation reports, interviewing persons involved, drafting legal documents, presenting evidence and arguments in court, and negotiating settlements when determined appropriate
- Represent the County in civil and criminal litigation and appeals in matters not resolved at the trial court level
- Reviews drafts and negotiates contracts and other legal documents for the County
- Study, interpret and apply laws, decisions, rules of court, and other authorities in preparation of cases, opinions and briefs
- Keep abreast of the new and amended laws, court decisions, rules and regulations. Relies on judgment in assessing risks, reviewing cases and advising county departments and employees
- Participates in call rotation for office, is available to law enforcement in the evenings, on holidays and weekends
- Develops and presents training seminars for law enforcement
- Anticipates and responds to legal risks as issues arise, and protects county from same
- Assists with policy development to address potential risks to county departments and employees, working closely with the County Administrator and Board of County Commissioners
Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Senior Assistant County Attorney- Carries majority of criminal case load, including felonies
- Represents the County in litigation, including pleadings, motions, legal research and court appearances; prepares cases for trial by analyzing investigation reports, interviewing persons involved, drafting legal documents, presenting evidence and arguments in court, and negotiating settlements when determined appropriate, as well as to represent the County in civil, criminal and juvenile litigation, and appeals in matters not resolved at the trial court level
- Review, draft and negotiate contracts and other legal documents for the County
- Provide legal advice, support and representation to County officials, department heads and employees
- Study, interpret and apply laws, decisions, rules of court, and other authorities in preparation of cases, opinions and briefs
- Keep abreast of new and amended laws, court decisions, rules and regulations. Relies on extensive experience and judgment in assessing risks, reviewing cases and advising county departments and employees
- Examine legal date to determine advisability of prosecuting a case and makes a decision
- Participate in call rotation for office, is available to law enforcement in the evenings, on holidays and weekends
- Develop and present training seminars for law enforcement
- Participates as a team member on the Wabasha County Substance Abuse Court program, which includes District Judge, public defender, probation officers, treatment providers, law enforcement and program coordinator, attends staffing and court sessions, participates in call rotation by carrying drug court cell phone. Prepares orders for custody when necessary
- Anticipates and responds to legal risks as issues arise, and protects county from same
- Develops policies to address potential risks to county departments and employees.
- Supervise legal secretary and paralegal, addresses issues related to job performance after consultation with County Attorney
- Acts as a department head for the Wabasha County Substance Abuse Court program coordinator, addresses issues relating to job performance, appears before the County Board as a department head, supervises program budget and appears before County Board as necessary.
- Shared responsibility with the County Attorney in supervising the Assistant County Attorney position.
Minimum Abilities Required- Ability to independently plan and perform detailed and difficult work with minimum supervision, while maintaining a very high standard of accuracy
- Ability to fully comply with Court and office rules concerning confidentiality and discretion
- Must possess excellent interpersonal skills; be able to deal with persistent and difficult individuals; and understand that stressful emergency situations do occur occasionally
- Knowledge of the civil, criminal and juvenile laws
- Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research
- Knowledge of the pleadings and practice of effective presentation in court cases
- Ability to appraise and organize facts and to present evidence and other material in written and oral form
- Ability to negotiate; and the ability to conduct legal research, analysis of data, determination of proper courses of action, and the ability to present facts and arguments
- Ability to persuade or influence people in favor of specific actions, changes in attitude, or insights
- Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding, to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form, the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations, and the ability to work closely with others both inside and outside the office
