What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant City Attorney position at City of Minnetonka?
Performs complex professional legal work of the criminal division of the legal department, prosecuting offenses within the authority of the city of Minnetonka and ensuring that prosecution services are provided in a timely, cost-effective, competent, and ethical manner. This includes related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney—Criminal Division.
Candidates must submit a cover letter and a writing sample along with their application. The writing sample should consist of either a memorandum of law submitted to the court or an appellate brief. Applications without these materials may not be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Physical Requirements:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing and sitting and occasionally requires walking, reaching with hands and arms, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
- Fully assists with the work of the criminal division, including processing of all criminal and related matters.
- Assists with the criminal division’s response to changes in law enforcement, law, courts, technology, and society. Consults with the Deputy City Attorney—Criminal Division about prosecution policies and executing them.
- Handles administrative and judicial forfeitures for Minnetonka; tracks cases and completes necessary documents; prepares for hearings and handles contested hearings.
- Prepares letter/brief responses to petitions for expungement; researches expungement petitions; attends expungement hearings regarding the City's objections.
- Assists in the charging process by reviewing evidence, drafting and approving complaints, and preparing declination memoranda.
- Prepares for and appears in court for bail arguments, arraignments, pretrials, motions, evidentiary hearings, plea hearings, trials, sentencings, probation violations, and appeals.
- Performs complex analysis of evidence, including law enforcement videos, photographs, physical evidence, statements, and forensic test results, to determine appropriate settlement proposals and trial strategies.
- Performs legal research and writes legal memoranda and briefs for the court, police officers, and other city employees. Responds to inquiries from law enforcement personnel, other city employees, and citizens. Provides training to the police department relating to changes in law and procedure.
- Performs companion administrative/clerical tasks to the above functions, such as faxing, copying, typing, filing, organizing, saving, serving, exhibit marking/duplication, scanning, redacting, mailing materials, and preparing certified letters.
- Provide work direction and guidance to Criminal Division staff as needed.
- Juris Doctorate
- 3 to 5 years experience practicing criminal law in a public sector environment.
- Minnesota Law License
- Availability to work some evenings and weekends as required by workload, trials, and other obligations.
Candidates must submit a cover letter and a writing sample along with their application. The writing sample should consist of either a memorandum of law submitted to the court or an appellate brief. Applications without these materials may not be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- In-depth knowledge of city and department policies, U.S. and Minnesota constitutions, Minnesota criminal law, rules of court, professional responsibility, vehicle forfeiture laws, victim rights laws, and the Data Practices Act.
- Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite, specialized software applications, and computerized legal research methods.
- Skilled in word processing, email, internet browsing, and complex computer programs for case management, document management, court records, and digital audio/video programs.
- Demonstrates sound independent judgment, prioritizes multiple tasks effectively, and performs legal duties with professionalism and high ethical standards.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other departments, law enforcement, court personnel, public officials, and the general public.
Physical Requirements:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing and sitting and occasionally requires walking, reaching with hands and arms, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Salary : $139,761 - $166,885
