Attorney Bureau Chief - County Attorney - Specialty Court and Diversion

Job Description Summary

Job Description

REVISED

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Unclassified

Job Classification: 3004 - Attorney Bureau Chief

Salary Grade: A5

Pay Range

Pay Range: $137,425 - $261,081 Annually 

Range Explanation: 

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position. 

The first review of applications will be on 09/11/2026.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office (PCAO) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to serve as the Specialty Courts and Justice Reform Attorney Bureau Chief within the Criminal Division. This role provides strategic and hands on leadership to attorneys and support staff, overseeing bureau operations, managing case flow and court schedules, addressing complex legal issues, and ensuring high-quality performance across the team. The Bureau Chief exercises substantial discretion and independent judgment and will actively participate in case evaluation, case processing, and court appearances, along with additional programs or projects assigned by the Chief Deputy and/or Criminal Chief Deputy.

We are looking for candidates with demonstrated expertise and preferably supervisory experience in the following areas:

• Deflection programs

• Diversion programs

• Restorative justice practices

• Problem solving courts, including drug, mental health, and veterans courts

Because many of these initiatives are grant-funded, skill in grant writing and grant administration is essential.

The PCAO team is seeking professional candidates with policy level experience implementing best practices for safe and appropriate deflection and diversion from the criminal justice system into medical and behavioral health systems. Experience collaborating with leaders in medical and behavioral health organizations that support alternatives to incarceration is highly valued.

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Supervises and leads attorneys and support staff of a respective bureau within the department;

• Supervises bureau activities involved in prosecution or defense of a variety of criminal and/or civil cases in Justice Court, Juvenile Court, Superior Court, Federal Court, Appellate Courts, and Administrative venues;

• Evaluates personnel and program performance;

• Makes recommendations to the Appointing Authority on matters including hiring, disciplinary actions, promotions, and employment termination;

• Manages and investigates complaints and ethical allegations;

• Supervises assignment of cases, prioritizes projects, and resolves workload and technical issues;

• Reviews case files and work products and ensures that quality standards are met;

• Develops charging decision guidelines, legal assessments and strategies, and office standards based on the law, strength of the case, and evidentiary standards;

• Provides advice and consultation to law enforcement agencies on investigations and case management;

• Manages complex and unusual cases and legal issues, and assists in preparing strategies to meet challenges from the opposition;

• Applies extensive knowledge of State of Arizona statues, case law, and judicial procedures and knowledge of County operations;

• Monitors and reviews trends in law enforcement and criminal justice issues, recommends operational, procedural and policy improvements, and provides guidance on regulatory, legislative and management issues;

• Acts as role model and ensures that integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the assigned Department and County are maintained.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate AND ten (10) years of previous experience practicing law in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings.

OR:

One year with Pima County in an Attorney Supervisor position.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.): 

• Experience developing policies, procedures, or programs using evidence-based best practices in criminal justice reform, diversion, deflection, specialty courts, or alternatives to incarceration.

• Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with leaders and stakeholders in medical, behavioral health, social service, nonprofit, governmental, or community organizations that support alternatives to incarceration.

• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in criminal justice reform, specialty courts, diversion, deflection, restorative justice, or a related legal or justice-system setting.

• Minimum three (3) years experience supervising attorneys and/or professional staff, including assigning work, evaluating performance, and providing strategic guidance.

• Experience securing, managing, or administering grant-funded programs, including grant writing, funding proposals, compliance, reporting, budgeting, performance measures, and coordination with grant partners or funding agencies.

Selection Procedure: 
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.      

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. All positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and experts in-person and/or on the phone. Regularly works in a professional office setting.

Working Conditions: Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position. Regularly receives and responds to telephone calls, text messages and emails.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.