Assistant City Attorney

Essential Functions:
50% General Counsel

• Represent the City in legal proceedings and monitor the representation of the City by retained outside counsel.
• Research and prepare amendments to the Municipal Code to ensure the City's ordinances and regulations are constitutionally valid and effective.
• Analyze and provide legal opinions on laws, court decisions, city codes, contracts, and policies.
• Draft, revise and review policies, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal instruments.
• Negotiate, prepare and review contracts and other legal instruments.
• Research new state and federal legislation and judicial decisions affecting operations of the police department, municipal court, and other city functions and work with the City Attorney to implement policies or recommend updates where necessary.
• Provide advice and counsel to City Manager and staff regarding legal and policy issues.
• Educate and advise City elected and appointed officials about the Kansas Open Meetings Act, Kansas Open Records Act, and other legal obligations inherent to their positions.
• Work with the City Clerk and Assistant to the City Manager to coordinate preparation of items for City Council agenda and maintenance of records.
• Respond to departmental and city emergencies.

50% Prosecution

• Review, analyze, and file municipal court cases in accordance with local ordinances, state law, and constitutional principles.
• Prosecute municipal court cases and code violations, including but not limited to pretrial practice, witness and victim communication, trial preparation, legal research & analysis, and the presentation of evidence and argument before the Court.
• Work effectively with court staff, the municipal judge, the City Attorney, defense counsel, and defendants in achieving resolution of municipal court matters.
• Manage appearance and trial dockets in Derby Municipal Court, and appeals of municipal court cases in the Sedgwick County District Court.
• Provide legal counsel and assist Derby law enforcement with case analysis and presentation in investigations and filing of criminal charges.
• Research and recommend amendments to the City Code to ensure the City's ordinances and regulations are constitutionally valid and effective.
• Review and respond to requests for criminal investigation and other records, pursuant to subpoenas and the Kansas Open Records Act, including managing and documenting responses, denials and objections.
• Work effectively with police records and evidence personnel to respond to requests for records in accordance with required deadlines.
• Review and analyze evidence disposition requests, including the filing of motions, orders, or proceedings, as needed.
• Provide education and training as needed to Derby law enforcement, court and records staff on criminal law, criminal procedure, case preparation and report writing, courtroom techniques, the Kansas Open Records Act, and other relevant topics.
• Adhere to the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, including the special ethical obligations and responsibilities of a prosecutor, and maintain good standing with the Kansas Supreme Court, other Kansas courts, and other courts of admission.
• Continually looks for new and improved ways of completing the above functions. Other tasks as assigned will be performed to address business needs.

Position Requirements:
Latitude: Most duties are self-defined with substantial flexibility in scheduling and accomplishing tasks. Problem-solving requires knowledge of and ability to analyze municipal law. Decisions are frequently made independently based on city policy and consultation with appropriate stakeholders is essential. Makes recommendations to the City Attorney for contractual commitments. Receives direction from the City Attorney but exercises high levels of independent judgment in providing advice to departments. Regular and reliable attendance at work is required.

Interaction: Frequent interaction with employees, the general public, City Council, and outside agencies including municipal, county, state, and federal agencies.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• One year of criminal prosecution or municipal court experience, including handling of DUI and domestic violence matters.
• Valid Kansas driver's license or ability to get valid Kansas driver's license within 30 days, and driving record must meet commercial liability insurance requirements.
• License, in good standing, to practice law in the State of Kansas or the ability to obtain a license within 120 days of hire.
• Demonstrated integrity and sound ethical judgment in the performance of duties and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• One year of experience practicing law, preferably in municipal, land use, construction, contract or employment law, preferred.
• Admission to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, preferred.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of municipal, land use, construction, contract, employment, criminal, and civil law.
• Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures of criminal prosecution, constitutional principles, and ethics.
• Thorough knowledge of legal research methods.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to develop valid and enforceable contracts and other legal instruments.
• Ability to read and comprehend statutes, case law, ordinances, legal reference materials, and legal correspondence.
• Ability to explain laws, policies, and procedures in layman's terms.
• Skill in solving problems and making decisions independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Skill in negotiating conflicts, real estate matters, and labor issues.
• Ability to access, input, process, and retrieve electronically stored information.
• Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the general public and communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to write perceptively, coherently, and succinctly.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Requirements: Occasional carrying and lifting of 30 pounds. Occasional bending, squatting, and twisting. Frequent use of manual dexterity and visualization of a computer screen throughout the day. Occasional evening meetings may be required.

Veterans Preference
The City of Derby provides veterans preference in accordance with K.S.A. 73-201 et seq. Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit a DD-214 and any other required documentation at the time of application. Veterans preference ensures that qualified veterans and certain eligible family members are given consideration in hiring for public employment.