Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01106

Department: Law Department

Job classification: City Prosecutor, Assistant-BU

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Legal, Paraprofessional, Attorney, Criminology

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The MHC prosecutor is responsible for covering 4 regular calendars and 1 abbreviated “Must Do” calendar each week, in addition to attending a weekly MHC staffing meeting and a monthly MHC team meeting. There may also be opportunities for the prosecutor in this position to attend conferences focusing on therapeutic courts and related topics. This position is directly supervised by the Specialty Court Unit supervisor. This position requires collaboration with the court, defense, the court clinician, and the MHC probation counselor. The MHC prosecutor must be committed to therapeutic alternatives to traditional criminal prosecution, and “thinking outside the box” is encouraged. This position requires the MHC prosecutor to constantly balance defendants’ need for treatment with public safety. The MHC prosecutor is also a backup to the other attorneys in the Specialty Court Unit, including LEAD, LINC, Infractions, and Connection Court. Cross-training between the sub-units and willingness to assist between the sub-units is essential. All ACPs will also support jail holiday coverage on a rotating basis and general criminal division support as needed.

About the court:
Mental Health Court is a voluntary therapeutic court for defendants who have an eligible DSM-5 mental health diagnosis and who are amenable to committing to a treatment plan and court oversight lasting up to 24 months. The MHC prosecutor is part of a team consisting of the judge, defense attorneys, the MHC probation counselor, and the MHC Court Clinician who work collaboratively to connect defendants to appropriate treatment to address their underlying behavioral health issues. This court is also responsible for adjudicating all phases of competency raised under RCW 10.77 in all criminal cases pending in Seattle Municipal Court. Regular court calendars are scheduled every afternoon, Monday through Thursday, with a Friday morning “Must Do” calendar.

Examples of duties

• Representing the City in all hearings in MHC, including arraignments, pretrial hearings, probation review hearings, contested competency hearings, and competency restoration hearings
• Drafting and submitting relevant written briefs in support of contested competency hearings and competency restoration hearings
• Negotiating appropriate dispositions for MHC participants
• Negotiating appropriate sanctions for MHC participants who are non-compliant with their dispositional conditions
• Keeping advocates and assigned trial prosecutors updated on the status of competency hearings and orders, pertinent rulings, and case dispositions
• Staffing cases at weekly meetings with members of the MHC team
• Attending a monthly MHC team meeting
• Reviewing competency evaluations written by forensic psychologists
• Generating and filing all competency-related forms in the Seattle Municipal Court portal and assisting other prosecutors in the Criminal Division with properly completing the forms
• Providing periodic training to Criminal Division attorneys and staff on therapeutic courts and competency
• Representing the City as backup to other SCU sub-units, including LEAD, LINC, Infractions, Veteran’s Treatment Court, and Connection Court.
• Providing holiday jail coverage on a rotating basis and general criminal division support as needed.

Qualifications

• One year of general prosecution experience within the SCAO Criminal Division as an Assistant City Prosecutor OR the equivalent in another jurisdiction, including trial experience.
• An interest in therapeutic courts as alternatives to traditional prosecution
• An interest in and willingness to learn about common mental health diagnoses, presentation, individualized treatment resources, and community partnerships and resources
• The desire and ability to work collaboratively with all members of the MHC team, including defense
• The ability to manage a large and diverse caseload that includes domestic violence cases, high-utilizer cases, and other high-profile cases
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds
• The ability to balance the underlying treatment needs of MHC participants with the need to protect the public

Supplemental information

Application Process – For your application to be accepted, you must:

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application
  1. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle
• Include the following required attachments (PDF, .doc, or .docx format):
  1. Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
  2. Resume detailing your relevant experience.

Application Submission Guidelines –All applicants must submit their applications by the closing date indicated in the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email or on websites such as Indeed will not be considered unless the individual has applied for the position through the Government Jobs site Note: The required documents listed in the "Application Process" section above must be attached to the application prior to the indicated job closing date to ensure consideration of the application. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at Law_HR@Seattle.gov on or before the closing date indicated above should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative

Compensation – The full pay range for this step-progression position is $50.15 - $67.12 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $50.15 hourly. Current City employees' starting pay rate will be based on the Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, 12 official holidays, 2 floating holidays, sick leave, and paid parental leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits is available at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits under “Most Employee Benefits”.

Language Premium (Protec 17, L21PA)* – Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Workplace Environment – Currently, 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.

Office Location: Columbia Center, 701 5th Avenue, Suite 2050, Seattle, WA 98104

Background Check Requirements – All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov