Assistant City Attorney

 (HIRE IN RANGE; DOQ) 

POSITION IS FLSA EXEMPT

Learn more about our Benefits & Wellness Incentives

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED

OVERVIEW
The City of Kingman is located in Mohave County approximately 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas and 195 miles northwest of Phoenix nestled between the beautiful Cerbat and Hualapai Mountain Ranges along historic Route 66. In 2019, Reader’s Digest named Kingman one of the “Nicest Places in Arizona” for its thoughtful residents and spirit of generosity. In addition to its small-town look and feel, the area also offers a wide range of recreational activities that include hiking, bike and ATV trails, camping, golf, beautiful parks, historical attractions, nearby lakes, and the Colorado River. With more than 400 full and part-time employees across 30 divisions, the City of Kingman provides exceptional public services to over 30,000 residents. Our focus on high-quality customer service, safety, and teamwork underpins our efforts to foster an atmosphere where citizens and businesses can thrive.
 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Performs professional legal work of considerable difficulty in the provision of legal services for the City Attorney’s Office and various city departments and prosecutes misdemeanor crimes. The primary function of an employee in this class is to provide legal representation primarily involving misdemeanor criminal litigation including violations of City ordinances and Arizona Statutes. Incumbents work within the guidelines of established office policies, court procedures, and rules of evidence and procedure. Exercises a high degree of independence and initiative in complex work assignments and priorities.   

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work is performed under policy direction of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney in accordance with professional legal standards. Work is reviewed and evaluated on a day-to-day basis by the Deputy City Attorney, and periodically by the City Attorney, through conferences, written evaluation, and review of written and oral legal work, and the results obtained.  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises functional supervision over legal clerical staff in the production of daily work product, and exercise indirect supervision in all other matters.  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Completion of  Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• One to two (1-2) years in the practice of law as an attorney or law clerk, in a criminal law field preferred.
• One to two (1-2) years of experience prosecuting criminal cases at the misdemeanor and/or felony level preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Current and continuing membership, in good standing, in the Arizona State Bar or able to obtain membership in the Arizona State Bar within six (6) months of hire.
• Possess a valid Arizona State driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment.

Essential Functions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. They are intended to be accurate summaries of what the job classification involves and what is required to perform it. 

• Prosecutes misdemeanor cases in the Kingman Municipal Court.
• Serves as a Special Prosecutor on occasion for other prosecuting agencies in which there is a conflict for the other agency.
• Reviews Police reports; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine whether legal issues should be prosecuted, based on the facts of law and evidence; conducts conferences with defendants and defense attorneys concerning settlement of cases.
• Prepares cases for trial; interviews witnesses; prepares documents; interviews complainants to determine appropriateness for filing charges; tries jury and non-jury cases involving criminal and non-criminal matters coming before the City court, including municipal zoning and aesthetic code enforcement issues.
• Determines amounts and appropriateness of restitution to be paid by defendants to victims of crimes; monitors compliance with ordered restitution payments; determines terms and conditions of probation; reviews requests for probation revocation, monitors compliance of probation.
• Engages in negotiation of criminal pleas with pro per Defendants and Defendants represented by counsel.  
• Attends various court hearings regarding pending cases, including arraignment, initial appearance, pretrial conferences, status hearings, trials, Veterans’ Treatment and Domestic Violence Court hearings, and appeals if necessary. 
• Consults with and advises police department personnel regarding specific cases and general legal policies; responds to police and other enforcement personnel on legal matters and procedures, training and standards for the investigation of criminal cases.  
• Works closely with law enforcement and the community development department to address public nuisances and abatement issues.
• Conducts legal research; gathers and compiles legal instruments and documents; identifies and evaluates records and other information; prepares and presents legal documents and analyses as required.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.  
• Communicates with victims, explaining their rights at all stages of the criminal proceedings, getting their input regarding the impact of the crime against them, restitution options, and sentencing recommendations.
• Discusses case results with superiors to evaluate and improve performance for future trial work.
• Participates in ongoing legal education to remain up-to-date on criminal and civil law.
• Analyzes, appraises, and organizes facts and precedents to present in a clear and logical form.
• Determines alternative courses of action and possible courses of actions of opponents.
• Demonstrates integrity and ingenuity in the performance of assigned tasks.  
• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external contacts. 
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Maintains confidentiality of work-related information.
• Works in a safe manner and reports unsafe activity and conditions. 

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Serves as a member of various employee committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

WORK CONTACTS

• Regular and frequent contacts with victims of crimes, as well as representatives of various social service agencies providing services to the victims.
• Regular and frequent contact with various City departments and police agencies, and officers of the court at all levels.   Contact with other prosecutorial agencies as needed.
• Regular and frequent contacts with the other members of the State Bar, particularly defense attorneys and other prosecutors, regarding the resolution of cases.
• Contacts may involve confidential, sensitive and controversial subject matter and therefore requires the exercise of considerable tact and discretion.  

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, municipal and/or public and administrative law, and the judicial process; Court procedures and applicable court rules; State, Federal, and municipal laws, including current accepted case interpretations; Basic principles of civil and criminal law.
• Rules of professional conduct for attorneys; Methods and techniques of negotiations; trial techniques and procedures.  
• Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities and limitation of a city prosecutor.
• Skill in legal research, legal writing, trial preparation, oratory and verbal persuasion and general skills in litigation. 
• Ability to make significant and substantial independent legal decisions in individual cases based on a combination of factors including the law, policy and rules of ethics.
• Review, assess and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and to present such material in a clear and logical form.
• Ability to stay current on criminal law issues.
• Determine alternative courses of action, and possible courses of action of opponents.
• Present and argue cases in court and to handle unanticipated problems smoothly and effectively.
• Analyze and organize facts, evidence and precedent and identify the determinative aspects of cases and present them in a clear and logical order.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, law enforcement agencies and officers, judicial staff, defense counsel and the public. Providing exceptional customer service.
• Work with and encourage victims of domestic violence offenses and other crimes and to understand the unique dynamics of such cases.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard software and other specialized, automated legal software and research applications and sources.
• Working in a team environment. 
• Effectively coordinate, delegate and organize work activities for support staff.
• Review or check the work product of others for conformance with standards.
• Carry out assigned projects to their completion.
• Use appropriate tact and consideration in dealing with complaints and questions.
• Follow and maintain safety standards and identify safety problems; Promote and adhere to safe work practices.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics attached to the job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.    See Physical Demands.

Supervisors are responsible for supervising and training workers in safe work practices. Supervisors must enforce company safety rules and work to eliminate hazardous conditions. Supervisors shall lead safety and wellness efforts by example.

DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the position changes.

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