Assistant District Attorney
Office: Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) District Attorney's Office
Location: Utqiaġvik
Job Description
The Utqiaġvik District Attorney’s Office is recruiting for an Assistant District Attorney to prosecute violations of criminal law. 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. This office is supervised by the Fairbanks District Attorney’s Office and is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the State of Alaska in the North Slope region, which includes Utqiaġvik and eight surrounding communities. Some travel within Alaska will be necessary.
This is a two-attorney office and, accordingly, 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 experience that is highly valued within the division.
Formerly known as Barrow, voters opted to return Utqiaġvik to its traditional Inupiaq name in 2016. Situated on the Chukchi Sea, temperatures in Utqiaġvik are rarely the coldest in the state, although it does have the lowest average temperature. You can leave your umbrella at home, however, as Utqiaġvik is technically classified as a desert, enjoying only 5 inches of rainfall (or the snowfall equivalent) per year. Living in Utqiaġvik you can observe whale hunting or the local high school football team, (appropriately named the Whalers) hosting in-state rivals on the northernmost AstroTurf field in the world. Life above the Arctic Circle offers polar bears, arctic foxes, views of the aurora borealis, snow-machining, and some wonderful birding opportunities.
As an Utqiaġvik Assistant District Attorney, you would discover the challenges and rewards of working for justice within this small, culturally-rich community. This job would appeal to someone seeking a unique professional experience.
Contact
Individuals who would like more information may contact Fairbanks District Attorney Joseph Dallaire at 907-451-5983, or by email at joe.dallaire@alaska.gov.
Benefits & Compensation
State Benefits Package
- Health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits
- Generous leave accrual, starting at 21 days a year
- 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.
