Gang Violence , Drug Resource Prosecutor

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

**This position is time-limited, grant funded, full-time. Funding for this position will end on May 31, 2029.**

Help Build a New Statewide Initiative to Combat Gang Violence and Drug Trafficking!

Are you an experienced prosecutor who is ready to take on a new challenge, build something meaningful, and make an impact beyond a single courtroom or prosecutorial district?

The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys is seeking a highly skilled, motivated, and innovative attorney to serve as its Gang Violence and Drug Resource Prosecutor. This is a unique opportunity to be on the ground floor of developing a new statewide prosecution initiative focused on combating gang related violent crime, dismantling drug trafficking networks, and addressing other serious criminal activity that poses significant threats to public safety in communities across North Carolina.

This position is more than a traditional prosecutorial role. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape a new program from its inception, develop strategic partnerships, identify emerging threats, and strengthen the ability of prosecutors and law enforcement to investigate and prosecute complex gang and drug related criminal activity.

Working collaboratively with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, District Attorneys, and other criminal justice partners, the Gang Violence and Drug Resource Prosecutor will play a critical role in developing coordinated approaches to violent crime and drug trafficking that cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Our goal is to build a program that delivers meaningful resources, specialized expertise, and measurable results for prosecutors and the communities they serve.

• Build Something New: Help establish and shape a statewide gang violence and drug prosecution initiative, including developing its priorities, partnerships, resources, and long-term direction.
• Make a Statewide Impact: Work with elected District Attorneys and their teams throughout North Carolina to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of serious and complex criminal activity.
• Prosecute Significant Cases: Apply your courtroom skills and experience to complex gang related violence, drug trafficking, and associated criminal prosecutions that have a substantial impact on public safety.
• Develop Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies to improve coordination, share expertise, and develop innovative approaches to addressing criminal networks.
• Become a Statewide Resource: Serve as a trusted subject matter expert, providing prosecutors and law enforcement with specialized legal guidance, practical tools, training, and assistance.
• Lead and Innovate: Identify emerging criminal trends, develop new resources, and help shape effective prosecution strategies and best practices.
• Grow Professionally: Work in a supportive, team oriented environment that values initiative, collaboration, professional development, and leadership.

If you are passionate about prosecution, energized by complex challenges, and interested in helping build a program that will make a lasting difference in North Carolina, this opportunity is for you.

The Gang Violence and Drug Resource Prosecutor will serve as a statewide subject matter expert and provide specialized prosecution assistance, legal guidance, training, and resources to North Carolina's District Attorneys and their teams.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assist in the development and implementation of a new statewide initiative focused on gang-related violent crime, drug trafficking organizations, and related criminal activity that threatens public safety.  Work with Conference leadership and criminal justice partners to identify priorities, develop prosecution resources, and implement strategies to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of complex criminal cases. Foster communication, information sharing, and coordinated approaches to criminal activity involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies.

With appropriate authorization, prosecutor significant felony cases.  Prepare motions, briefs, legal memoranda, and other pleadings; conduct hearings and trials; and provide assistance with post-conviction and appellate issues as appropriate.    Assist prosecutors with case evaluation, charging decisions, legal analysis, trial preparation, evidentiary issues, and litigation strategies.  Work collaboratively with prosecutors and law enforcement during investigations to identify legal issues, develop evidence, and strengthen cases for successful prosecution. 

Provide timely, practical, and reliable legal and technical assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies on issues involving gang related offenses, violent crime, drug trafficking, and associated criminal activity.  Identify statewide training needs and develop, coordinate, and deliver high-quality training programs for prosecutors, investigators, law enforcement officers, and other allied professionals.  Research, draft, and maintain legal memoranda, prosecution guides, training materials, reference manuals, articles, and other resources for statewide distribution.  Prepare articles and educational materials for Conference publications and other appropriate professional resources to keep prosecutors informed of emerging legal issues, criminal trends, and effective prosecution practices.  Monitor developments in gang related criminal law, controlled substance offenses, organized crime, investigative techniques, digital evidence, and emerging technologies to ensure prosecutors have access to current information and effective tools.  Participate in state and national conferences, professional associations, and specialized training opportunities to maintain expertise and build relationships with other professionals working in this field.

We are seeking an experienced prosecutor who combines strong courtroom skills with initiative, sound judgment, creativity, and commitment to public service.  The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated leader and collaborative problem-solver who understands the complexities of prosecuting violent crime and organized criminal activity and is excited by the opportunity to develop a new program.  This position requires someone who can move comfortably between the courtroom, the classroom, and the conference table. The successful candidate must be equally capable of prosecuting complex felony cases, advising fellow prosecutors, delivering effective training, and developing productive working relationships with criminal justice partners.  Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our commitment to strengthening North Carolina's prosecution community and protecting the people we serve.

• Federal and North Carolina criminal statutes, constitutional law, common law, criminal procedure, judicial processes, and the rules of evidence.
• Laws governing violent crimes, controlled substance offenses, conspiracy, organized criminal activity, criminal gangs, and related offenses.
• Criminal investigative methods, evidentiary collection, digital evidence, and the legal considerations associated with complex criminal investigations.
• Legal research methods, sources, databases, and other legal research tools.
• The operation of North Carolina's court system and the respective roles of local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
• Ethical and professional standards applicable to prosecutors, including discovery obligations, confidentiality, and the appropriate handling of sensitive criminal investigations.

• Analyzing complex criminal cases and developing effective prosecution strategies.
• Interpreting and applying criminal laws to evidence, investigative information, and case-specific facts.
• Conducting thorough legal research and preparing clear, persuasive legal documents.
• Managing complex felony prosecutions, including cases involving multiple defendants, extensive discovery, and complicated evidentiary issues.
• Presenting persuasive arguments, examining witnesses, and effectively communicating with judges and juries.
• Establishing and maintaining productive professional relationships with prosecutors, investigators, law enforcement agencies, and other criminal justice partners.
• Developing and delivering engaging, practical, and effective training programs.
• Organizing multiple responsibilities, establishing priorities, meeting deadlines, and working independently with minimal supervision.

• Exercise independent judgment, initiative, discretion, and sound prosecutorial decision-making.
• Analyze complicated facts and legal issues and communicate practical recommendations.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a new program serving prosecutors across North Carolina.
• Work collaboratively with agencies and individuals representing different jurisdictions, responsibilities, and perspectives.
• Identify emerging criminal justice issues and develop innovative, effective responses.
• Prepare legal memoranda, motions, briefs, reports, articles, and other professional publications.
• Explain complex legal and investigative concepts in a clear and accessible manner.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Adapt to changing priorities and respond effectively to the needs of prosecutors throughout the state.
• Travel throughout North Carolina to provide prosecution assistance, training, and support.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to the minimum qualifications, possess one or more of the following:

• Significant experience prosecuting violent felony offenses, gang-related crimes, drug trafficking offenses, conspiracy cases, or organized criminal activity.
• Experience investigating or prosecuting complex, multi-defendant, or multi-jurisdictional criminal cases.
• Experience working collaboratively with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies or participating in multiagency criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• Experience prosecuting cases involving criminal enterprises, organized drug trafficking networks, firearm related violence, or related offenses.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced investigative methods, complex evidentiary issues, digital evidence, or other specialized tools used in serious criminal prosecutions.
• Experience developing or implementing prosecution programs, initiatives, or collaborative criminal justice projects.
• Experience designing and delivering legal education or professional training programs.
• Prior service in a North Carolina District Attorney's Office or other criminal prosecution agency.

Interested applicants must submit:

• A completed State of North Carolina employment application.
• A current résumé.
• A cover letter describing relevant prosecution experience, qualifications, and interest in developing this new statewide initiative.

The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys is committed to supporting prosecutors and strengthening the administration of justice throughout our state.  Our Resource Prosecutors do more than handle cases. They share their knowledge, mentor colleagues, build partnerships, develop innovative resources, and help prosecutors across North Carolina meet the challenges of an increasingly complex criminal justice system.  As part of our team, you will work in a collaborative environment that values professional excellence, integrity, innovation, and service. The position offers opportunities for specialized training, leadership development, professional growth, and meaningful collaboration with prosecutors and law enforcement professionals throughout the state.

Few opportunities allow a prosecutor to combine significant courtroom experience with the ability to build a statewide program from the ground up. This is one of them.  If you are ready to bring your experience, leadership, and vision to a new challenge, we invite you to join us and help shape the future of gang violence and drug trafficking prosecutions in North Carolina.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

HumanResources@nccourts.org