Assistant City Attorney I

Assistant City Attorney I - Expected Starting Salary is $93,787.20

Provides professional legal representation for the City of Des Moines; works independently with minimal supervision; performs related work as required.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctorate degree; and
• A minimum of two years of practicing municipal law, real estate regulation, transactional work or real estate development experience preferred.

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer, physical examination and drug screen;
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility;
• Admission to practice law in the State of Iowa at the time of closing date.

• Prosecutes simple misdemeanor municipal ordinance violations ; 
• Supports enforcement of civil infractions as needed; 
• Advises departments including representation in small claims actions; 
• Attends meetings and advises other City departments as requested;
• Seeks judgments regarding property damage to City property;  
• Defends non-complex litigation; 
• Serves as second chair in complex litigation as requested; 
• Advises City departments on related matters; 

• Performs special projects for the City Attorney, Deputy City Attorneys, or other supervisor(s) as requested;
• Represents the City before state and federal administrative agencies, boards and commissions;
• Performs professional legal work and review related to federal, state and municipal issues;
• Studies City, State, Federal and general municipal law for information and precedents having a bearing on City legal problems;
• Provides legal advice, opinions and training to City Staff, City Boards, Committees, Commissions and agencies, and attends meetings of those bodies;
• Researches, prepares and compiles proposed ordinances and resolutions and proposed amendments to existing ordinances;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions as available and approved, and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Performs other related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.