Prosecuting Attorney

The City of Renton is seeking a licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar for the position of Prosecuting Attorney to join a dedicated, zealous, and supportive team of civil servants in the Prosecution Division of the City Attorney's Office. The Prosecution Division directly supports the City's goals of providing a safe, healthy, and vibrant community, promoting economic vitality and strategically positioning Renton for the future. By building an inclusive, informed and hate-free city with equitable outcomes for all in support of social, economic, and racial justice through the prosecution of individuals who commit misdemeanor crimes against Renton's citizens, businesses, and interests with the City of Renton.

A strong candidate brings to the position: knowledge and experience in criminal law, municipal court practice, and/or misdemeanor prosecution, skill in legal research, analysis, and writing. As well as proficiency managing core job specific tasks, competency in oral advocacy and presentation, and the ability to keep up with the demands of a fast-paced and high-volume practice. The preferred candidate appreciates the heightened duty imposed on prosecutors and embraces the role to carry out the mission of the Prosecution Division in furtherance of the goals of the City of Renton.

2025 Annual Salary Range as Listed
2026 Annual Salary Range $115,760 - $154,050

Telework Program:
The City of Renton supports workers performing in a hybrid capacity (partial telework/in-office) where job responsibilities can be performed remotely. This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement, working certain days/times remotely, based on the operational needs of the City and specific Department. Regardless of job title or telework arrangement, City of Renton employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Working for the City of Renton comes with an excellent benefits package, including:

• Deferred compensation with the City contributing 4% of the employee's salary
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance at affordable rates
• Paid leave for vacation, sick, eleven holidays and two "personal" holidays a year
• State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) plan enrollment

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Represent the City in the prosecution of gross and simple misdemeanor criminal cases and in civil traffic infraction, impound, and forfeiture cases.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state laws, state and local codes and ordinances, legal authority, federal, state, and local court rules, evidentiary and procedural rules, professional rules and standards, and other authoritative sources pertinent to criminal law and prosecution.
• Review and analyze referrals to make filing decisions, return to law enforcement for further investigation, or decline to prosecute and prepare notices, when appropriate.
• Represent the City in all criminal hearings, including arraignments, pretrial hearings, motions (testimonial and non-testimonial), bench and jury trials, sentencing hearings, probation review hearings, evidentiary hearings, RALJ appeals, and crime victim restitution hearings, and in civil hearings, including forfeiture hearings and contested traffic infraction and impound hearings, as assigned.
• Manage assigned cases to the extent required to provide high-quality representation and competent presentation of criminal and civil cases in court by, including but not limited to, maintaining organized, well-documented, and up-to-date case files, managing requests for and disclosure of all discovery, directing further investigation of cases, as needed, interviewing witnesses and coordinating appearance and testimony in court; anticipating and analyzing evidentiary and legal issues in cases; performing relevant legal research as required; and preparing exhibits, legal briefs, oral arguments, and motion, trial, and or appellate strategies.
• Engage in good faith plea bargaining, negotiations and prosecution of filed cases in pursuit of public safety and the interests of justice.
• Adhere to and consult routinely with the professional and ethical standards for prosecuting attorneys established and set forth by the American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, State Statute, State Rules of Professional Conduct, and established internal policies and standards in the Prosecution Division of the City Attorney's Office.
• Communicate and coordinate in all criminal and civil matters with crime victims, civilian witnesses, law enforcement, opposing counsel, privately retained attorneys for witnesses, pro se defendants, judicial officers, court staff, City Departments, and members of the public, to the extent necessary and as required by state law and court rules, internal polices, and professional and ethical standards.
• Collaborate and coordinate with judicial officers, court staff, jail staff, law enforcement officers, and public defense, and others, as needed, to ensure efficient delivery of service and effective operation of the criminal justice system, as legally and constitutionally required.
• Maintain good standing with the Washington State Bar and a current, valid license to practice law in Washington State, and monitor and satisfy mandatory continuing legal education credit requirements, per the rules of the Washington State Bar Association.
• Voluntarily attend and provide training, where feasible, to further develop professional skills and institutional knowledge

• Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.
• Participate in and help provide cross-training in processes as directed by management to ensure a well-rounded team for coverage purposes.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Current license to practice law in the State of Washington.
• Minimum 2 years of prosecution or defense experience in a municipal/district court.
• Active membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• Valid Washington State driver's license.
• Successful passing of a required driving record check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Approved reasonable accommodation requests will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Accommodation

Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact sjacobs@rentonwa.gov at least 2 days prior to the need.

Communication from the City of Renton: We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. We also communicate via text and encourage you to sign up for text alerts when completing your job application.

Recruitment Process: The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check. This position requires driving and is also subject to a driving record check from the WA State Dept of Licensing (or other state equivalent). Driving records will be evaluated based on a points system depending on the infraction and severity. This position also requires accessing areas that contain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS). For that reason, this position is also subject to a national fingerprint-based records check.