Assistant City Attorney

Salary range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.

Hiring range is an estimate of the compensation amount for the selected candidate. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and equity amongst other City employees in a similar position.

Embrace the New – Do Right – Lend a Hand – Find a Way – Enjoy our Work – Celebrate Uniqueness

Under  general supervision, this position provides professional and administrative legal work ranging from general legal advice and counsel to City management and employees on major departmental issues and projects to assisting decision makers with the legal implications of decisions; code development or revision; negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts and development agreements to meet the needs and projects of various departments; representing the City before boards, commissions, and administrative bodies in connection with claims or actions filed by or against the City.

The ideal candidate must be a graduate of law school, licensed to practice law in Arizona, and must possess general legal experience with a preference for government law.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provides legal advice on city operations to employees and occasionally the City Council, and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, and data for the guidance of the departments in the city. Attends City Council meetings or Boards and Commission meetings as designated to give legal advice.
• Prepares and/or reviews resolutions, motions, ordinances, and council agendas.  Negotiates and drafts contracts, leases, development agreements, intergovernmental agreements, and memorandums of understanding, letters of intent, and conveyance documents.  Reviews, revises, drafts and approves as to form all city contracts. 
• Represents the City, Mayor, City Council, and City management in court, before boards, commissions and administrative bodies.  Represents the City in litigation matters in assigned areas of practice and/or supervises and assists outside counsel hired to represent the city in such matters.  
• Investigates claims and complaints by and against the city and makes or reviews findings and recommendations regarding such claims.  
• Enforces City policies regarding land use, water issues, nuisances, jurisdictional issues and other City interests.  
• Represents the City in acquisition of property through negotiated purchase or condemnation proceedings. 
• Reviews and/or drafts responses or position statements regarding EEOC claims asserted against the City. 
• Negotiates and represents the City during discussions with third parties and regulatory agencies on a wide variety of agreements, settlements, rules and enforcement actions taken by or against the City.
• Keeps abreast of current court decisions and legislation and advises relevant City departments of the effects of those decisions on the City's business.  Provides input for legislative action on matters of concern to the City.  Answers communications from the public relative to legal matters affecting the City.  When directed, acts for the City Attorney in his/her absence.  
• Provides legal advice regarding personnel policies, discipline, complaints, claims and other personnel matters. Reviews, revises, drafts and approves employment/personnel policies or forms when requested.
• Provide legal services to City Departments, including legal advice on administrative and operational issues; conducts legal research along with reviewing recent court decisions to determine the relationship with current and/or proposed policies, procedures, officer training, handling/disposition of evidence, etc.; recommend, draft, and/or amend revisions to policy and procedures.   Monitors and provides department legal updates regarding court decisions and relevant legislation.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Education and Experience:
Graduation from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate Degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• General municipal, state and federal laws affecting city government.
• State of Arizona criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Arizona judicial, trial & appellate procedures and rules of evidence.
• Legal precedents and court decisions impacting municipal government.
• City ordinances, particularly those relating to the authority and functions of City departments.
• Specialized legal areas of emphasis, such as civil litigation, land use, environmental law, public utility law, rural property and conveyances, public rights of way, contracts and development agreements, eminent domain, water rights, employment and labor law, and other specialties. 
• State and federal court rules and trial techniques and procedures.
• Established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to City activities.
• City development processes.
• City contracts.
• Research methodologies and application of law.

Skill in:

• Computer software programs including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Ability to:

• Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents in determining the various aspects and alternatives of cases and ability to present such material in a clear and logical form.
• Write legal motions, appeals, special actions, and advisory memorandums.
• Present material to opponents and develop an appropriate defense.
• Make significant/substantial legal decisions in individual cases based on a combination of factors including the law, court rules, policy and rules of ethics.
• Negotiate complex legal issues including contracts and agreements with third parties and procedure complex documents and contracts.
• Discern critical issues and needs of the City through a negotiations process.
• Work independently and with teams.
• Manage multiple projects and initiatives in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrate leadership in analyzing and solving complex problems by using a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Communicate and use interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisor, the public, state and local elected officials, attorneys to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. 
• Learn quickly and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.

12-Month Goals:

1. Offer proactive and high-quality legal services to staff; mitigate risk to the city, and increase awareness of laws, codes and statutes.
2. Help develop necessary policies, forms templates, and processes with departments.
3. Assist with department projects including necessary revisions to the City Code, bylaws, policies, rules of procedure, and personnel policies in the City.
4. Build a strong relationship with all members of the city departments and help offer legal guidance and recommendations in support of leadership, city, and department level goals.

Possession of a valid Arizona Driver’s License. State Bar of Arizona membership. Must be in good standing with State Bar of Arizona.