Assistant City Attorney I

Description:

Descriptive Statement:
This is an exceptional opportunity to work within diverse and interesting areas of the law. Two years of legal experience as a practicing attorney (prosecution and/or administrative law experience is preferred, but not required). The Assistant City Attorney I is an exempt, unclassified position. Subject to general direction from the City Attorney, this position exercises independent judgment and decision-making. Under the administrative direction of the City Attorney and/or Deputy City Attorney, prosecutes both criminal and civil violations of the City's Municipal Code. This is accomplished by advising the City on prosecutorial issues; providing representation in lawsuits; performing legal research; reviewing documents and templates; preparing and drafting briefs, pleadings, and legal opinions; participating in court hearings, administrative proceedings, and trials; providing legal advice relating to risk exposures; and as requested, advising City departments and agencies concerning local, state, and federal legislation.

This job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of the position.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prosecutes violations of the Pueblo Municipal Code in the Pueblo Municipal Court;
• Prepares for and attends trials, hearings, and other traffic, criminal and civil case activities;
• Reviews facts and law, conducts legal research, prepares pleadings, and conducts interviews;
• Conducts pretrial conferences, including negotiation of plea agreement offers and terms of deferred prosecution;
• Performs related prosecutorial functions (e.g., plea negotiations, sentencing recommendations, probation revocations and contempt hearings);
• Collaborates and confers with the City Attorney, as needed, including drafting legal opinion on the interpretation of the Pueblo Municipal Code and appeals;
• Collaborates with the City Attorney, Court staff and, the Municipal Judge, as needed, regarding non-case related procedural matters;
• Maintains and develops expertise of federal, state, and local laws, court decisions, ordinances, regulations, and policies that relate to prosecutorial activities and functions;
• Provides staff assistance to the City Attorney;
• Meets with City staff to explain policies and compliance with the law and resolve non-compliance issues;
• Provides mentoring, counseling, and professional assistance on legal skills and professional responsibilities; and
• May develop, provide, or coordinate staff training.

Important Functions:
Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:
Must have knowledge of or familiarity with:

• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of Colorado municipal corporations;
• Substantive law, including law of Colorado Criminal Procedure, Administrative law, law of Evidence, and Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure;
• Federal and state laws and regulations that generally affect municipalities and prosecution of municipal offenses;
• Legal principles, practices, concepts, procedures, and methodologies employed in administrative and judicial hearings;
• Standard office equipment, computer equipment, and related software including word processing, spreadsheet applications, and electronic mail; and
• Legal research methods and techniques including on-line legal research, and electronic filing systems employed by Colorado courts.

Must have the skill and ability to:

• Provide responsible assistance to the City Attorney;
• Effectively prosecute violators of municipal ordinances;
• Analyze problems, identify alternate solutions, and make appropriate recommendations relating to City goals and objectives;
• Draft, review, and analyze a wide variety of legal documents, contracts, policies, laws, and regulations;
• Clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing;
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion in decision making;
• Possess and maintain a good reputation for honesty, integrity, and confidentiality;
• Negotiate effectively;
• Supervise secretarial and legal assistant employees;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse individuals such as attorneys, law enforcement agencies, City officials and staff, and other individuals who are involved in the civil justice process;
• Perform job responsibilities independently and on own initiative in a timely manner; and
• Work hours as needed or necessary including, but not limited to, evening meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:
In addition to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above the candidate must possess:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree
• Admission to practice in Colorado and in good standing
• Two years of legal experience as a practicing attorney
• A valid driver's license at the time of application, and a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of employment
• License restrictions that may hinder your ability to drive on City business, such as an interlock, will be cause for disqualification
• During the course of employment, a valid license must be maintained, and the employee must notify the City immediately upon changes to the status of their license

Special Conditions Of Employment:
Must maintain license to practice law in Colorado in good standing. All required licenses and/or certifications must be maintained throughout the term of employment.

Due to Federal and State Criminal Justice System access requirements, classifications that access and maintain criminal justice information may also be required, as a condition of employment, to not have been convicted of and/or have pending charges of a felony or misdemeanor crime that would deny or otherwise restrict access to criminal justice information. This requirement applies to all existing City employees as well as external candidates seeking to fill positions that meet the given criteria.

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