Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor

Salary : $163,770.36 - $199,538.28 Annually
Location : Ellensburg
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Prosecutor's Office
Opening Date: 11/12/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Non-Union

Description

The Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney manages the day-to-day operations of the Criminal Division of the Prosecutor's Office. In consultation with the Prosecuting Attorney, oversees and coordinates a variety of functions, policies, and procedures in the operations and programs of the office. This class specification reflects the general concept and intent of the classification and should not be construed as a detailed statement of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

This position is open-until-filled with a first review after 11/19/2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for optimal consideration.

Benefits

Kittitas County provides base medical, dental, and vision insurance covered in full for employees and their eligible family members. Leave benefits include 11 paid legal holidays, vacation and sick leave, bereavement leave, FMLA, Washington State Paid Family & Medical Leave, and more. Student loan forgiveness is available under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Retirement benefits are provided through the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
Examples of Duties
This position may be required to perform a portion or all of the duties described below, as determined by Prosecutor, and MUST MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

Supervisory Duties

• Make hiring and personnel assignment recommendations to the Prosecuting Attorney.
• Plan, schedule, and assign work of division staff; establish priorities; instruct and train correct methods and procedures.
• Review and evaluate staff performance; mediate problems and conflicts among attorneys and support staff.
• Supervise assigned Deputy Prosecutors in their provision of written and verbal legal advice to County offices and designated agencies.
• Oversee the Prosecuting Attorney's obligations under the County's Risk Management Program. This includes the review of claims filed against the County and representation of the County in all actions for damages brought against the County.
• Responsible for the initial review and assignment of cases; ensure proper representation of the County is provided.

Act as a representative of/liaison for the Prosecuting Attorney

• Maintain positive relationships with other agencies to address problems and resolve inter-agency conflicts as they arise.
• Represent the Prosecuting Attorney's Office with various agencies, judges, court commissioners, County officials, school officials, bar association, etc.
• Respond to inquiries from the public and give appropriate answers or make referrals.
• Serve on specific task groups or committees as directed by the Prosecuting Attorney.
• Supervise the Prosecuting Attorney's obligations under the County's Risk Management Program. This includes the review of claims filed against the County and the supervision of the representation of the County in all actions for damages brought against the County.
• Be available on a 24-hour on-call basis to advise the Prosecuting Attorney, Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys and/or law enforcement officers during investigations.
• Advise the Prosecuting Attorney as to the merits and statutes of cases and legal opinions.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Perform additional work of a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney as necessary.
• Confer with the other Chief Deputies and the Prosecuting Attorney concerning media relations including the release of information, press conferences, responses to inquiries on cases, etc.; conduct media releases and interviews when directed or authorized.
• Assist the Prosecuting Attorney in the preparation and administration of the office budget throughout the year.
• Assist in drafting and preparing proposals for legislation and/or ordinances, gather and analyze pertinent court decisions, legislation and regulations from other sources.

This job description is a summary of the primary functions and expectations for this position. Additional department-related duties may be assigned as required.
Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school followed by admission to the Washington State Bar.
• 15+ years of relevant practice as an attorney with preferably three (3) years' experience working in government related criminal or civil matters.
• Two (2) or more years of supervisory experience.
• Current member of the Washington State Bar Association.
• A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified applicants. Convictions may preclude candidates from employment in certain circumstances. Factors such as relativity to the position, age and time of the offense, seriousness and nature of the violation, and rehabilitation will be taken into account.

Supplemental Information
Work is generally performed in a high volume office or courtroom setting with sustained posture in a seated position, prolonged periods of computer operation, and periods of standing; frequent use of standard office equipment; regular interaction with employees and the public; periods of increased activity and exposure to angry or emotional customers; strength to lift, pull, push, and/or carry up to 25 pounds and potentially more with assistance; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate clearly in person or over the telephone; ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, ascend/descend stairs, and reach with arms and legs. Duties may occasionally be performed in non-office settings, outdoors, or at a variety of County locations.

Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality are required and expected Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; however, exempt/management positions are expected to work the number of hours required to complete the duties of the position, and may have to respond outside of regular business hours, including weekends and holidays.

Periodic travel will be required for meetings and/or training opportunities. Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle in varied weather conditions and levels of daylight.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most permanent employees who at least 20 hours per week on a regular schedule are entitled to healthcare, retirement, and leave benefits, pro-rated to the scheduled hours of work.

HEALTHCARE BENEFITS
Eligible employees and their family members have access to medical, dental, and vision benefits. The base plans for these benefits are paid 100% by the County regardless of the number of family members enrolled. Plan buy-up options are available for a small cost via payroll deduction.

LIFE INSURANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCTS
Kittitas County offers access to a $12,000 basic life/accidental death and dismemberment insurance plan as well as a base long term disability plan through Mutual of Omaha as part of the core benefits program.

Supplemental products are available for eligible employees who choose to purchase them through AFLAC, Allstate, Colonial, and Mutual of Omaha. These products include:

• Supplemental life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Disabilty insurance

LEAVE BENEFITS
Eligible County employees have access to a variety of leave programs. The amount of paid leave an employee may accrue and bank will vary between employee groups and collective bargaining agreements. Types of leave available include, but are not limited to:

• Legal holidays
• Personal holiday
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)

RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Most benefited employees are eligible to participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Participation in the DRS retirement program is mandatory for all eligible employees. Both the employee and the County contribute to the plan at a rate set by the State legislature.

For more information regarding DRS you can visit their website at https://www.drs.wa.gov/.

Employees who want to save additional dollars for retirement may do so voluntarily by participating in a choice of 457 deferred compensation plans. A 457 plan allows employees to defer funds through payroll deduction, up to a maximum amount set each year by the IRS.
01

Please describe your experience supervising criminal charging decisions, case assignment, plea negotiations, trial preparation, and courtroom prosecution. Include the number and type of staff supervised.
02

Describe your supervisory approach for deputy prosecutors and legal support staff. Address coaching, performance management, workload distribution, professional development, and accountability.
Required Question