City of Peoria Arizona Human Resources Department

City of Peoria Seal
City of Peoria
Job Description
8401 West Monroe, Suite 110 Peoria, Arizona 85345 (623) 773-7100 Fax (623) 773-7149

Chief Assistant City Attorney

Chief Assistant City Attorney

JOB OBJECTIVES

To provide a wide range of professional legal services to the Mayor, City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions; to represent the City in litigation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receive administrative direction from the City Attorney. Exercise direct supervision over professional and clerical staff.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES - May include, but are not limited to, the following:

Act for the City Attorney in the City Attorney’s absence. Participate in the selection, training and evaluation of subordinate lawyers. Direct and supervise the prosecution of criminal and misdemeanor cases before the Municipal Court, Superior Court, and higher Arizona Federal courts. Represent the City in the more complex civil litigation in State and Federal court; prepare pleadings, substantive and procedural motions, discovery and trial exhibits and filings; try cases until dismissed, settled or determined by the court or jury. Represent the City in State and Federal Appellate court; perform legal research; prepare appellate briefs and oral arguments. Assist in labor relations law, risk management and workers’ compensation matters. Participate in interdepartmental group meetings to draft new ordinances and amendments to existing City ordinances; draft and review City contracts. Advise departmental officials and employees on legal questions and procedures. Attend and represent the City at a variety of meetings and public hearings. Prepare legal opinions on proposals submitted to the City Attorney’s office by City Council, boards and commissions, and departments.
Represent the City before the personnel board. Perform related duties, as assigned.

CRITICAL SKILLS/EXPERTISE - needed to complete position accountabilities

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of civil law including ownership, acquisition and conveyance of real property. Principals and practices of criminal law and appeals problems and procedures. Tort law and liability insurance litigation. Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation of lawyers. Methods of legal research. Judicial procedures and rules of evidence. Local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, statues and court decisions relating to municipal corporations. Statues and court decisions relating to civil rights and public labor law. Organization, function and authority of various City departments.

Ability to:

Analyze, appraise, organize and present facts, evidence and precedents in a clear and logical form. Determine alternative approaches to problems. Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions using independent judgment. Interpret Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations. Analyze and prepare a wide variety of documents. Identify and respond to public and City Council issues and concerns. Present and argue cases in court and handle unanticipated problems. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of responsible professional legal experience in municipal law, including trial work and legal research experience.

Training:

Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Requirements:

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently to move objects; involves sitting most of the time.

Work Environment:

Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

License or Certificate:

Membership in the State Bar of Arizona, United States District Court Bar and the United States Court of Appeals Bar.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Association Status: Exempt

Developed: 4/99

Revised: 04/06

City of Peoria Arizona an Equal Opportunity Employer

DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS, ANY APPLICANT REQUIRING ACCOMMODATION FOR A DISABILITY SHOULD ADVISE THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

Employment Hotline (Voice Only): 623-773-7105
Human Resources (Voice/TDD): 623-773-7100

EOE M/F/D/V
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

OPORTUNIDAD DE EMPLEO CON DERECHOS IGUALES

8401 West Monroe St, Suite 110 - Peoria Arizona 85345 - (623) 773-7100 - Fax (623) 773-7149