Deputy City Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney represents the City and the RDA as legal counsel in criminal and civil matters, including administrative and court proceedings.

The Deputy City Attorney provides advice to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, Planning Commission, and other City and RDA officials, officers, employees, and volunteers concerning applicable laws, rights, obligations, liabilities, and privileges.

The Deputy City Attorney attends Planning Commission meetings and provides legal advice to the Planning Commission. The Deputy City Attorney acts as the Assistant City Prosecutor.

SUPERVISOR

City Attorney

POSITION(S) SUPERVISED

None

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Meet performance standards established with the employee's manager.
• Follow City and Department policies and procedures.
• Job attendance is required, except for authorized leave.
• Perform complex civil and criminal law functions for the City and the RDA, including legal research, extensive analysis of legal positions, application of complex legal principles and precedents to specialized problems, especially in the area of municipal law.
• Draft and review memorandums, briefs, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, RFPs, policies, letters, and other legal documents.
• Review site plans and plats for compliance with State and City law.
• Present training for City officials, officers, and staff on legal issues.
• Assist the City with land use and code enforcement issues.
• Assist in representing and defending the City and RDA against lawsuits and legal claims.
• Assist in representing the City in administrative hearings and appeals.
• Provide legal advice and support to City and RDA officials, administration, and departments.
• Respond to citizen questions about applicable municipal law.
• Maintain a professional relationship with the public and government officials, officers, staff, and volunteers.
• Serve as Assistant City Prosecutor and represents the City as needed in Justice Court, District Court, Court of Appeals, and Utah Supreme Court on criminal matters.
• Attend Planning Commission meetings.
• Attend City Council, staff, and other meetings as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Assist City Attorney as requested.
• Perform the City Attorney's duties, including managerial and administrative responsibilities, in his / her absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Exempt Status : While the schedule of the employee in this position is flexible, the following is expected to ensure availability and coverage within the department and duties are accomplished :

• Arrive for the workday no later than 8 : 00 a.m. unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise.
• Ensure coverage in the office during lunch hours.
• Limit the amount of time out of the office when coverage is limited.
• Ensure that work product is complete / up to date.
• Employee shall take into consideration their availability to the general public, applicants, and other employees.
• The City's adoption of a 10-hour workday provides for services to the public after 5 : 00 p.m. It is expected that this time is covered by this position or an approved designee.
• Attend meetings, or ensure coverage of meetings, beyond the 10-hour workday.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and Experience :
• Graduate from accredited law school with a JD degree; and
• Two years of experience in a legal capacity, preferably in the public sector with emphasis in municipal law.
• Special Qualifications, Licenses, Certifications :
• Must possess and maintain a valid Utah State driver's license with periodic verifications by the City.
• Must be a member of the Utah State Bar Association in good standing.
• Must be able to pass a BCI background check.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :
• Working knowledge of federal, state, municipal, and employment law and legal terminology with an emphasis on municipal law.
• Working knowledge of City departments and their legal needs.
• Working knowledge of Utah Rules of Evidence, Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Skill in legal writing and writing for a lay audience.
• Skill in absorbing raised issues and evaluating conflicting contention.
• Skill in legal research.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to apply very general arguments to specific instances.
• Ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and develop legal conclusions and applications.
• Ability to accurately and timely maintain files, records, and reports.
• Ability to coordinate and work on multiple tasks efficiently.
• Ability to digest information and adjust legal strategies impromptu under stress.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with elected officials, City employees, court personnel, attorneys, and law enforcement.
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public directly under circumstances that may become confrontational, stressful, or uncomfortable.
• Ability to complete assignments within deadlines.
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and creative problem solving.
• Ability to use a computer and associated technology.
• Working Conditions : Employee(s) in this position perform in generally comfortable conditions involving intermittent sitting, standing, walking, stooping, and reaching.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must occasionally bend, lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Talking, hearing and seeing required in the normal course of performing the job.

Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking and creative problem solving.

Periodic local travel required in course of performing portions of job functions. Considerable exposure to stress as a result of human behavior, frequent deadlines, and the general demands of the position.

Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test, background check, and driving record check.

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