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KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STAFF REPORT FOR STUDY SESSION PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE STUDY SESSION DATE: 9/8/2026 TOPIC: Discussion/Decision—Prosecutor's Staffing Request ACTION REQUESTED: Approval LEAD STAFF: Therese Murphy RECOMMENDATION: Approve request to hire full-time Rule 9 Intern for up to one year. BRIEFING SUMMARY: The Prosecutor's Office has a vacant Deputy Prosecutor position after a staff departure. The Prosecutor is requesting to fill the vacant position with a Rule 9 Intern who plans to sit for their bar exam in February of 2027. BACKGROUND: As the Board is aware, recruiting qualified attorneys for essential positions has been challenging. During a recent recruitment process, we interviewed a candidate with whom we would have offered a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney position had she already been licensed to practice law. She is currently eligible to practice as a Rule 9 intern, is available to work full-time, and our office now has a vacancy that requires coverage. Based on the current composition of our attorney staff, we believe this candidate can meet our operational needs both in her current Rule 9 capacity and upon licensure. DISCUSSION: Upon completion of the bar exam and acceptance to the Washington Bar Association, the employee will be reclassified to a Deputy Prosecutor I. FISCAL IMPACTS: This request will result in cost savings to the office. The previous staff member was employed as a Deputy Prosecutor III; a significantly higher paid position than a Rule 9 Intern/Deputy Prosecutor I. The full-time Rule 9 Intern position will be placed at pay grade 19 on the non-union salary matrix. ATTACHMENTS: Rule 9 Intern job description. Legal consultation?Yes Finance consulted?No Page 1 of 1 Prosecutor's Office"Study Session Staff Report",9/08/2026