Description:
General Purpose:Under broad policy guidance and the supervision of the City Attorney, this exempt position employee attends Planning Commission meetings and acts as the legal advisor to the Planning Commission, prosecutes criminal misdemeanors and infractions, represents the city in civil litigation, prepares contracts, and advises the city on legal matters as called upon.
Essential Functions:
- Advises the Planning Commission, City Council, and staff of laws, rules, and regulations, which the city must comply with to avoid fines, penalties, possible liability, and litigation. Advises other agencies, boards, commissions, or committees as assigned.
- Works directly with the City's Community Development Department, Building Inspectors, and Code Enforcement Officers to enforce zoning, business, and nuisance codes.
- Prepares ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents for the city. Such documents help foster and protect the health, safety, and general welfare of Spanish Fork citizens, while also preserving the aesthetic beauty the City has to offer.
- Works in conjunction with the police department to enforce criminal and traffic laws. This includes criminal prosecutions.
- Supervises, coordinates, and monitors the collections process and the collection of debts owed to the City and assigned to the legal department for collection.
- Provides or assists in legal representation for the City.
- Answers questions that City Staff and departments may have concerning legal requirements.
- Provides training for the Planning Commission, various departments, and boards concerning the legal requirements of their respective responsibilities.
- Identifies and resolves problems. Makes oral presentations to various boards and commissions.
- Reviews and prepares reports, correspondence, agreements, agenda items, legal opinions, contracts, and other written documents. Conducts research, examines documents, case law, evidence, correspondence, and other written material.
- Acts on behalf of the City Attorney when necessary and attends all meetings that may required.
- Must be able to maintain composure when dealing with angry and emotional members of the public.
A successful applicant will be required to submit to a criminal history background check and drug test.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications:
- Education and experience: Requires a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school affiliated with an institution of higher education. Municipal law experience is preferred, but not necessary. Jury trial experience is preferred but not necessary.
- Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must possess the ability to reason, write, communicate clearly, research, and analyze situations based upon legal principles. Needs the ability to interact with the public and manage in stressful situations and crises. Should be able to react quickly to unexpected dilemmas and conduct. Should possess basic knowledge of the law, general legal principles, along with an understanding of municipal, criminal, and public law.
- Special Qualifications: Must be licensed by the Utah State Bar Association. Must maintain continuing legal education requirements.
