Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II
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Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II
Salary
$90,438.40 - $115,856.00 Annually
Location
Charlottesville (22902), VA
Job Type
Regular Full-Time
Job Number
260400011
Department
Commonwealth Attorney's Office
Opening Date
05/04/2026
Closing Date
5/15/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Description
Benefits
Questions
General Summary
The Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II p erforms responsible professional work as a senior level trial lawyer, responsible for the prosecution of complex, serious, and/or sensitive criminal felony and misdemeanor cases. Work is performed under limited supervision and reports to the Commonwealth's Attorney.
Required with the online application: Cover letter, Resume, and 3 Professional references.
(Applications without these elements will not be considered. Although a resume required, it is not a substitute for completing the required information on the application.)
The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $90,438.40 - $115,856.00 A nnually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following benefits:
Choice of retirement plan:
Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan
The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage (https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits) .
Essential Responsibilities and Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City and Commonwealth Attorney retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.
Prosecutes complex, serious, and/or sensitive criminal felony and misdemeanor cases, occasionally presenting high-profile matters to special grand juries.
Prepares and argues pre-trial and post-trial motions, prepares exhibits and evidence for trial, examines and cross-examines witnesses, delivers opening and closing arguments and argues admissibility of evidence, chooses and prepares jury instructions, determines trial tactics, and argues sentencing in cases.
Determines the method of prosecution including potential case negotiations, plea agreements, and sentencing requests.
Prepares legal memorandum, indictments, search warrant affidavits, plea bargain agreements, extradition requests, property forfeiture and property release papers, and other court papers.
Researches legal issues and maintains familiarity with local, state, and federal laws.
Maintains contact with the public, with victims and witnesses, and with law enforcement officers; consults with police, victims, witnesses, and concerned citizens about the disposition of criminal cases and trial testimony.
Addresses media on significant and/or high-profile cases receiving substantial public attention.
Implements the policies set by the Commonwealth's Attorney, case assignments, and court scheduling.
Directs and coordinates the work of police officers in the investigation of matters being prepared for prosecution, providing guidance on search and seizure issues, the constitutionality of police actions, and planning and conducing regular police trainings on a variety of issues.
Visits crime scenes; studies scientific analyses and other investigative reports and memoranda.
Develops and implements a community prosecution program where attorneys work with specific and targeted neighborhoods to solve public safety problems, prevent crime, and receives, analyzes and appropriately implements feedback into the local justice system.
Serves as legal advisor to specialized units within the Police Department such as JADE (firearms and narcotics), ICAC (internet crimes against children), Elder Abuse and Fraud, and the Major Case Division of Investigations (rape, robbery, and homicide).
Provides technical legal guidance and mentoring to new attorneys, reviewing and editing court pleadings and appellate briefs.
Trains and assists support staff and victim witness advocates with victim interviews and preparation of court testimony.
May be assigned to a one of the legal specializations:
Serve as a Drug Treatment Court prosecutor screening applicants, assisting with admissions and terminations, and attending and participating in graduations, responsible for regular EBDM supported updates and revisions to Drug Court manual; or
Participate as a member of a Sexual Assault Resource Team and a Child Abuse and Neglect Multi-Disciplinary Team, leading investigations and prosecuting charged individuals.
Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Other Duties
May be assigned to administering a specialized program; providing primary liaison to a particular County, State or Federal program/agency; or being assigned to a specialized area of law.
May serve as a Special Prosecutor throughout the Commonwealth in significant and/or high-profile matters.
Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.
Education, Experience and Skills
Education and Experience:
Completion of the requirements for graduation with a JD in law from an accredited college or university.
AND
Minimum 10 years of experience as a criminal trial attorney OR 5 years as a prosecutor.
Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:
Licensed to practice law within the Commonwealth of Virginia (or eligible to be admitted to practice).
Ability to qualify and serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) in federal court.
Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
Job Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of Virginia law, including knowledge needed for and membership to the Virginia State Bar.
Thorough knowledge of legal research methods.
Thorough knowledge of the Code of Professional Responsibility for attorneys.
Thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and related community agencies.
Reading
Advanced: ability to read, understand, and interpret complex regulations, codes, laws, police reports, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.
Writing
Advanced: ability to research and prepare legal documents with proper documentation, reporting, record keeping and compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The ability to write editorials, journals, speeches, manuals, or critiques, and to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex thoughts and ideas in writing.
Math
Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.
Communication Skills
Advanced: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city and state officials, City administration and staff, court officials, members of the bar, and the public. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates customer satisfaction, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction. Provide oral and written presentations in public. Ability to analyze, distill, and present to a jury complex data collected, including data from cellphone or electronic devices, during criminal investigations.
Independence and Decision-Making
Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.
Technical Skills
Basic: uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skill in computer applications such as word processing and spreadsheets, maintain records and generate reports; uses of computer technology for legal research.
Fiscal Responsibilities
No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.
Supervisory Responsibilities
May occasionally direct helpers, assistants, seasonal employees, interns or temps.
Other Characteristics
Exercise the highest degree of confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
Excellent organization and time management, sometimes under strict time constraints.
Coordinate, prioritize and work on multiple activities simultaneously under often stressful and busy conditions.
Frequent change of tasks.
Working closely with others as part of a team.
Must work effectively with sensitive and confidential materials and issues.
May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
May be required to work additional hours such as evenings, nights, weekends, standby, and/or emergency on-call.
Physical Conditions & Additional Information
Physical Demands:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Remains in stationary position most of the time.
Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.
Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Ability to observe at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:
Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.
Work Environment:
Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
The noise level is typically moderate.
The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.
The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated February 9, 2026
Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.
LEAVE:
Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:
Years Worked
0 -
3 -
Hours Accrued Biweekly
3.09
3.85
4.62
5.4
6.16
6.93
7.7
Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.
Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):
OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS
New Years Day
Dr. Martin Luther King Day
Presidents' Day
Liberation & Freedom Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
1 Floating Holiday
Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.
INSURANCE:
Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.
Choose from two options:
Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)
Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)
Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)
Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)
Delta Dental Plan:
Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
$1,500 Annual benefit maximum
$1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)
MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)
$2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
$130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.
Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.
Long-Term Disability: U pon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.
Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection
RETIREMENT:
Pension:
Choose from two (2) options:
A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).
Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.
VOLUNTARY:
Wellness:
Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)
Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses
Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions
Employee Assistance Program:
A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.
Tuition Reimbursement:
Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.
01
This posting indicates that a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references must be submitted with the application. Have you provided this information with your online application? (Note: This is a requirement for the position. Applications without these elements will not be considered.)
Yes
No
02
To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.
Yes
No
03
I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.
Yes
No
Required Question
Employer
City of Charlottesville
Address
P. O. Box 911 605 East Main Street Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902
Phone
(434) 970-3490
Website
http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs
