Assistant City Attorney (Prosecutor)

Description:

Job Summary:
Performs full-time duties of municipal court prosecutor, advises and assists City divisions on legal concerns as directed, responds to citizens' requests for legal information, and performs duties as assigned by City Attorney.

Essential Job Functions:

• Acts as municipal court prosecutor including prosecuting cases, advises police officers on court cases, developing complaints for municipal court clerks for court cases, prepares prosecution witnesses, interacts with private citizens seeking to file charges in municipal court, reviews citizens' complaints for merit, reviews municipal court complaints for legality and directs filing of charges, developing procedures for proper handling of municipal court cases, conducts, reviews and prepares discovery and motions and works with City divisions on ordinance violations.
• Reviews contracts under consideration by the City as directed by City Attorney.
• Works with Animal Control, Code and Building Officials and other staff and represents the City/State in administrative hearings and other civil proceedings in the City's municipal court.
• Prepares, amends, or reviews ordinances or resolutions; as directed by City Attorney; researches legal questions; prepares legal memoranda and briefs and reviews other legal documents, including public information requests, subpoenas, discovery, letters, motions, briefs and correspondence.
• Assists citizens requesting information pertaining to City policies, procedures and ordinances.
• Performs related duties as directed.
• Responds regularly and promptly to work.

Minimum Qualifications:
Required:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Texas.

Preferred:
Previous experience as a practicing attorney preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Legal principles of general municipal law
• Principles, methods, materials, practices and references utilized in legal research.
• Principles and procedures of civil law including rules of evidence and judicial and administrative procedures.
• State and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations.

Ability to:

• Work independently and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Handle multiple tasks, prioritize and organize work assignments, and meet established deadlines.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Perform according to established procedures subject to progress review.
• Utilize and interpret rules, laws, and procedures
• Perform legal review and research; assimilate and analyze various complex facts, issues, and problems; determine alternative courses of legal action; and render a legal opinion and recommendation.
• Devise and draft effective legislation and other legal documents that support the policies of the Mayor and Council.
• Prepare and present oral and/or written explanation and defend legal opinions and decisions both in judicial as well as administrative settings, to include comprehensive explanation of legal concepts, positions, and/or policies.
• Represent the city and effectively apply legal knowledge and principles in a variety of judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Present cases before judicial bodies and provide well-researched briefs and opinions to City officials and staff and a variety of interest groups within the community.
• Exercise considerable initiative, sound judgment, and collaborative skills.
• Maintain a high degree of organization, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Use spreadsheet and word processing applications (Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Outlook) to prepare clear and concise correspondence, memos, contracts, presentations, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain complex records, documents and files..
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information, records, and issues.
• Attend meetings and perform work assignments at times other than normal business hours.
• Demonstrate satisfactory work performance and attendance.
• Comply with City and departmental policies and procedures.
• Provide management with sound, positive advice, and information concerning the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of City staff, other agencies, and the general public.

Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong public contact and customer service skills.
• Strong planning, organizational, problem-solving and time-management skills.
• Strong personal computer skills, with the ability to utilize Microsoft Office and any job-specific software.

• Texas Class C driver's license with a good driving record as measured by the City's evaluation system.
• Must be a member of the Texas State Bar.

Physical Demands:
Physical demands include but are not limited to: sitting, talking, hearing, seeing, standing, walking, driving, bending, reaching, twisting, pushing, pulling, using hands and fingers to operate office equipment and machines, and occasionally lifting and/or moving objects up to and including 25 pounds.

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