Assistant District Attorney
Office: Kotzebue District Attorney's Office
Location: Kotzebue
Job Description
The Kotzebue District Attorney’s Office is recruiting to fill an assistant district attorney position to prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the State of Alaska. The work includes frequent trials, significant pre-trial motion practice, daily court hearings and some post-conviction and appellate work. You will need strong oral advocacy skills. Prior trial experience and experience in the practice of criminal law is a plus but is not required. This position requires the ability to think critically and reason logically; the ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing; the ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in a deadline-controlled atmosphere; and the ability to manage numerous matters simultaneously. In addition to Kotzebue, this office serves all the villages of the Northwest Arctic Borough plus Point Hope. Some travel within Alaska will be necessary. State housing is available.
Kotzebue sits at the tip of the Baldwin Peninsula, in the middle of Kotzebue Sound, which is in turn fed by the Noatak, Selawik, and Kobuk rivers. This is the Arctic, and weather will be harsh, but the country is spectacular. The Inupiaq have called it home for over 4,000 years, subsisting on sea mammals along the coast, and caribou inland. This lifestyle remains a vital part of the local culture. Today, visitors come from around the world to enjoy the scenic rivers, the caribou hunting and outdoor photography. The next assistant district attorney in Kotzebue can enjoy all this and more including, in season, the finest sheefishing through the ice available, and it is even within walking distance of the office.
Kotzebue is a two-attorney office and as such it provides ample opportunity to acquire experience in a wide variety of criminal prosecutions, both misdemeanor and felony, in a short period of time. Assistant District Attorneys who fulfill a two-year commitment in a rural location are given preference to transfer to other district attorney offices in the state as vacancies occur. A rural commitment is a great way to acquire a wide variety of experience that is highly valued within the division.
Contact
Individuals who would like more information may contact District Attorney John Earthman, (907) 443-2296 or via email at John.Earthman@alaska.gov.
Benefits & Compensation
State Benefits Package
- Health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits
- Generous leave accrual
- 12 paid holidays
- A variety of retirement plans
- Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
- 37.5-hour workweek
- Eligibility for part-time teleworking, alternate workweek, or a flex schedule after an initial training period.
Estimated Compensation
The table below gives an estimate of compensation based on a combination of judicial clerking and licensed legal experience. The compensation listed in the table represents the base pay. Several locations around Alaska have geographical pay differences. Upon a job offer, you would receive a firm salary quote based on location of position and qualifying experience. Attorneys are eligible to promote from Attorney 1 through 4 with service and acceptable job performance.
| Attorney level | Experience level | Pay range and step | Base pay* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney 1 | Unlicensed attorney | 18 D or E | $87,282-$90,012 |
| Attorney 2 | Less than two years of licensed experience | 20 C or D | $96,349.50-$99,840 |
| Attorney 3 | More than 2 but less than 4 years of licensed experience | 22 B or C | $106,684.50-$109,960.50 |
| Attorney 4 | More than 4 years | 24 B through F | $121,836-$139,542 |
*Summary of Geographical Pay Rate Differences.
| Location | Base pay + geographical difference |
|---|---|
| Anchorage, Kenai, Palmer, Ketchikan | Base pay / no geo dif |
| Fairbanks | Base pay + 3% |
| Juneau, Sitka | Base pay + 5% |
| Kodiak | Base pay + 11% |
| Nome, Dillingham | Base pay + 37% |
| Bethel, Utqiagvik | Base pay + 50% |
| Kotzebue | Base pay + 60% |
Application Instructions
Candidates must submit:
- A resume that includes a complete history of education and professional work experience.
- At least three professional employment references.
- A professional writing sample.
- A cover letter which includes the position of interest.
Preferably applications may be submitted electronically to:
CriminalLawRecruit@alaska.gov
or via hard copy to:
Department of Law
Criminal Division Central Office
P.O. Box 110300
Juneau, AK 99811-0300
The Department of Law is an equal opportunity employer and complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodation to apply may contact the Relay Alaska at (800) 770-8973 or Criminal Division Central Office at (907) 465-3600.
All interested and qualified applicants will be considered, but not every applicant will be interviewed. A preference will be given to applicants with the ability to fluently speak another language that is commonly used in the geographic locations related to this position.
