Job Description
Job Description
Description : Job Summary
Under general supervision and with oversight guidance, the incumbent provides legal services to the City Attorney, City Council, City Manager, all departments, and City boards and commissions. This may include representation of the City in legal proceedings, responsibility for the preparation and presentation of cases; rendering legal opinions; preparing contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and leases; and assisting in drafting proposed legislation for enactment by the state legislature on matters of interest to the City. The Assistant City Attorney defends the City in cases filed in county, state, and federal courts; and represents the City in all cases filed in Municipal Court.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintains and supports a positive, collaborative culture within the City organization as a whole, fully embracing the cultural and values statements espoused by the City.
- Advises the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and Departments regarding legal matters affecting the City.
- Attends various board, commission, and City Council meetings to advise on legal problems and questions.
- Answers communications from the public relative to legal matters affecting the City.
- Advises taxpayers concerning municipal codes and ordinances.
- Works effectively with legal specialists engaged by the City for the preparation and trial of unusually complex and important cases in which the City may be involved.
- Prepares legal opinions, court paper, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, leases, and other legal documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
- Advises executive team in legal matters.
- Organizes, interprets, and applies legal principles and knowledge to complex legal problems.
- Comprehends and makes inferences from written material to provide legal representation and advice.
- Handles a full array of criminal cases including traffic, juvenile, and municipal code violations, including :
Reviewing police reports to determine appropriate charges and dispositionsPreparing for and conducting arraignmentsPreparing for and conducting pre-trial hearings, bench trials, jury trials, and sentencingsInterviewing victims and witnesses of crimesPreparing pleadings, undertaking discovery, and drafting appeals
Enters into plea negotiations with defendants or their attorneys during pre-trial conferencesDrafts ordinances and prepares memos for City Council and other City departmentsDevelops effective working relationships with the City Attorney, the Presiding Municipal Judge, the Police Department, and Municipal Court personnelEstablishes and maintains effective working relationships with citizens and co-workers.Other duties and responsibilities as required.Supervisor Duties
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment
The Assistant City Attorney works in a professional office environment that is generally clean, well-lit, and climate-controlled. The workspace typically includes private offices or shared office areas equipped with standard office furniture and technology, such as computers, telephones, and printers. Noise levels are usually moderate, with occasional activity from meetings or office discussions.
Lighting conditions in the office are consistent with standard indoor settings, primarily relying on overhead fluorescent or LED lighting. Access to natural light may vary depending on the office layout and location.
The role involves extended periods of desk work, including drafting legal documents, conducting research, and preparing cases, which may present ergonomic challenges. These challenges can be mitigated with proper workspace adjustments.
Regular interactions with city officials, staff, and external stakeholders are required, both in-person and remotely. Occasional site visits, court appearances, and attendance at public meetings are part of the role. These interactions may sometimes involve managing sensitive or contentious issues, which requires professionalism and tact. While infrequent, the role may include high-pressure situations, such as addressing urgent legal matters or representing the city in litigation.
Requirements : Qualifications
Assistant City Attorney I - $56,241.21 to $74,988.28 per year
Juris Doctorate Degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association is REQUIREDLicensed to practice law in the State of Colorado is REQUIREDSix (6) months or more of experience in the practice of law is DESIREDCurrent, Valid Colorado Driver’s License REQUIREDAny experience representing a public entity is preferredMunicipal and or Civil law experience is preferredActive Membership in the Colorado State Bar Association is a bonusAssistant City Attorney II - $74,296.87 to $99,062.50 per year
Juris Doctorate Degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association is REQUIREDLicensed to practice law in the State of Colorado is REQUIREDTwo (2) years of experience in the practice of law is REQUIREDCurrent, Valid Colorado Driver’s License REQUIREDAny experience representing a public entity is preferredMunicipal and or Civil law experience is preferredActive Membership in the Colorado State Bar Association is a bonusAssistant City Attorney III - $92,352.53 to $123,136.71 per year
Juris Doctorate Degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association is REQUIREDLicensed to practice law in the State of Colorado is REQUIREDFive (5) years of experience in the practice of law is REQUIREDCurrent, Valid Colorado Driver’s License REQUIREDPrior experience in municipal criminal prosecution or defense, including actual trial experience (bench and jury) is preferred; Law school clinical experience, clerkships or internships will be consideredMunicipal and or Civil law experience is preferredActive Membership in the Colorado State Bar Association is a bonusOther Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at All Levels
Knowledge of federal and state laws affecting city governments.Knowledge of city ordinances, particularly those relating to the authority of functions of City departments.Knowledge of the established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to City activities.Knowledge of legal principles and practicesAbility to communicate effectively in orally and in written form.Ability to attend legislative sessions, in order represents and promotes the interest of the City before committees and representatives.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, other City employees, other public officials and the general public.Ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and in making decisions.Thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and operating procedures for the City of Fountain and the City Manager's Office; City of Fountain organizational structure, goals and objectives; modern practices and procedures for public administration and governmental budgeting; federal, state, and local laws and codes impacting the city management functions; principles and practices of program development and administration; principles and practices of supervision including training and performance evaluation.Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; compare clear and concise reports and correspondence; establish and administer budgets as part of the strategic planning process; assist in developing department wide and city wide goals and objectives; facilitate the effective and positive resolution of problems affecting city administration; analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Able to obtain the following ICS Certifications : IS-100.Required Capabilities
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.To perform the essential job functions and to ensure the safety of themselves, their coworkers, and the public, employees must have the ability to regulate attention; to plan; to understand, remember, and apply information; to effectively interact with others; to concentrate and maintain pace; and to adapt or regulate one’s behavior.Ability to proficiently read, speak, and understand English. Proficiency in non-English languages is highly valued.Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, statistical and mathematical abilities and interpersonal skills. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write complex reports and distill information for many audiences.Ability to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using one or both ears, at a distance of six (6) feet. Ability to hear sounds and signals indicating work and safety necessities.This position requires effective proficiency in the use of computer software and applications, office equipment, and professional telephone use. The ability to adequately type quickly with few to no errors is also very important. This position will often require multi-tasking in the use of computer, phone, and office equipment while interacting with clients. Candidates for this position may be required to take and pass technology proficiency assessments prior to employment.This job is open from 12 / 12 / 2024 until filled.
Salary : $56,241 - $74,988
