Assistant City Attorney

The purpose of this classification is to provide legal services to the city under the direction of the City Attorney, including prosecution of criminal cases, representation of the city in civil matters, and the provision of legal guidance to the City of Tuscaloosa, its officers, and employees.

The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Oversees activities of clerical and support staff pertaining to specific task assignments; delegates work and reviews for accuracy and completeness. 

Prosecutes criminal cases in Municipal Court; participates in all stages of legal proceedings including appeals; develops and implements legal strategy for pending cases; researches laws and ordinances pertaining to cases; interprets codes, regulations, and policies; drafts and files legal questions, motions, requests, and briefs; reviews and analyzes case records; prepares witness examinations, cross-examinations, depositions; presents oral arguments in jury and non-jury trials; negotiates settlement of cases.

Provides legal advice and assistance to city departments pertaining to changes in criminal law, city ordinances, and Municipal Court procedures; assists departments in the preparation for implementation of changes and in the recommendation for changes to existing law or procedures.

Represents the city in civil litigation and plaintiff actions at the discretion of the City Attorney; enforces contracts and permits; files numerous plaintiff cases relating to the collection of debt owed to city; defends or assists in the defense of legal claims against the city; represents employees or officials in the defense of any action performed while acting in an official capacity on behalf of the city.

Assists the City Attorney in the provision of legal guidance to the Mayor and the City Council pertaining to municipal issues; drafts and reviews myriad ordinances, and resolutions as required for action by the City Council; attends City Council meetings.

Researches, analyzes, composes and drafts myriad legal and administrative briefs, contracts, permits, pleadings, amendments, settlements, and correspondence; researches laws and ordinances; confers with supervisors, city officials, attorneys, elected officials, and staff; ensures all legal documents are in compliance with local, state, and federal codes and regulations.

Receives and calendars court dockets; forwards dockets to appropriate personnel for recording and notification to applicable personnel, agencies, and individuals.

Attends meetings, seminars, and training sessions to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved departmental performance, and to advise on changing state/municipal codes and criminal/civil law, policies, and regulations; participates in governmental and professional committees; provides advice and guidance; makes presentations and conducts lectures on relevant issues to a variety of professional and municipal organizations; serves as media spokesperson on behalf of the city.

Shares knowledge with city officials, departments, municipalities, staff, and the general public for mutual and departmental benefit; develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with officials, departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the city and to project a good department image.

Conducts investigations and/or inquiries at the request of the Mayor, City Council, and department heads.

Answers phone and directs calls to appropriate person; responds to inquiries from law offices, general public, and departments. 

Fills in for co-workers.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a timely manner.

Performs other related duties as required.

Juris Doctorate or equivalent required. Must be a member in good standing with the Alabama State Bar Association within six (6) months of date of hire.  Must attend continuing education courses as stipulated by state law. Must possess and maintain a valid Alabama driver’s license.

The following requirements are normal for this classification.  Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer terminals and printers, telephones, facsimile equipment, and photocopy equipment  Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.  Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include complex legal codes, regulations, opinions, and legislative documents; technical, financial and administrative data, graphs, blueprints, charts, and other records relevant to the position.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with, write, and/or signal people to convey or exchange legal, technical, financial, and administrative information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from city officials, co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with elected officials and the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of legal, technical, financial, and administrative documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.  Requires the ability to write complex legal  documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice such as in public speaking situations before judicial entities, civic agencies, and the general public.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn, understand, and apply complex legal principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, such as in public speaking situations, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, computer descriptive statistics and statistical inference.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include automated office equipment and motor vehicles.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment and motor vehicles.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items; computer terminals and printers, telephones, facsimile equipment, photocopy equipment, motor vehicles, control knobs, switches, etc.  Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION:  May require the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.

Salary : $86,174 - $114,348