Assistant City Attorney

Join our collaborative team of dedicated attorneys, where trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence create a supportive and high-performing work environment. The City is seeking a highly qualified and motivated legal professional to serve as an Assistant City Attorney. This position centers on being the City's legal representative in prosecuting gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and petty misdemeanors from arraignment through appeal as well as providing legal advice and representation to the City Council, and City departments on a wide range of municipal matters. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound legal judgment, strong analytical and communication skills, and a commitment to public service. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively within a team of skilled attorneys in a supportive and professional environment that values integrity, continuous learning, and effective service to the community.  Under the direction of the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney is responsible for representing the City in civil litigation, criminal prosecution and administrative hearings. Performs highly analytical work on legal issues affecting the City. Works directly with other legal staff, Community Development staff and other enforcement authorities to abate City Code violations. Drafts municipal documents as assigned by the City Attorney. Provides legal research and writing as assigned by the City Attorney. Coordinates administrative activities of clerical staff as needed to carry out the responsibilities of the City Attorney's Office.

Hiring Range: 
$129,979.20 - $137,404.80

Salary Range: 
$129,979.20 - $161,969.60


Essential duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Handles prosecutions of court cases as assigned or in cooperation with legal staff.
• Drafts criminal complaints and represents the City at such court appearances as arraignments, omnibus hearings, pre-trial conferences, court and jury trials, and post-trial proceedings.
• Prepares and submits regular reports of prosecution and other legal activities to the City Attorney.
• Handles civil lawsuits and administrative hearings such as special assessment appeals, contract disputes, appeals from City Council decisions, conciliation court, civil forfeitures, and other civil and administrative matters.
• Drafts pleadings, motions, discovery, and other civil litigation or administrative hearing documents.
• Represents the City at civil pre-trials, motion hearings, trials, post-trial hearings and appeals, and at administrative hearings handled by the City.
• Works directly with other Legal Department professional staff, Community Development staff, Fire Marshal, Police Community Service Officers and other enforcement authorities to abate nuisances and other City Code violations.
• Serves as legal counsel to various City staff members, boards, commissions and committees as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Drafts City ordinances, resolutions and other municipal documents as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Conducts legal research, prepares legal memoranda and other tasks as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Attends City Council and Commission meetings as may be required.
• Provides effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations and citizen customers.
• Follows oral and written instructions such as supervisor's work orders and equipment operation manuals.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance during scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
• Performs essential position duties and responsibilities under the working conditions and physical demands described herein.
• Maintains positive professional working relationships with all staff levels, other jurisdictions and outside agencies, and the general public.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or delegated.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Ability to prepare and present civil and criminal court cases.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with court personnel, general public, and other City employees.
• Experience with word processing and legal software applications.
• Ability to compose clear and grammatically correct documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Handles confidential and privileged information appropriately.
• Ability to work cooperatively with City personnel, external vendors, and the public.
• Ability to perform duties with tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Ability to be detail oriented and follow through with tasks.
• Ability to maintain a team and service oriented approach to work.
• Must have the ability to accept criticism or discipline.
• Must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department and exhibit a positive attitude.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited Law School and admission to the Minnesota State Bar.
• Minimum two years’ experience in criminal law and/or municipal legal representation with significant litigation experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum five years’ experience in criminal prosecution and/or municipal legal representation with significant litigation experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
 
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds;  work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting;  work has standard vision requirements;  vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word;  hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels;  work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities;  work has no exposure to environmental conditions;  work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
 
EQUIPMENT/JOB LOCATION:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position will be located at the City Center, with frequent appearances at the Anoka County Courthouse and in other courts as needed. Duties performed will include the use of common office supplies and equipment. Exposure to computer monitors in the office is typical. This position works closely with others in a professional environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
 
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• Must contribute positively to a productive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
• Must make workplace safety the top priority.
• Must know and practice the Cities’ mission, vision and values.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must maintain Minnesota Attorney license in good standing. 

The City of Coon Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer

Salary : $129,979 - $161,970