Assistant City Counselor

The purpose of this job is to provide legal services and advice on diverse areas of municipal law to the city, including city management, staff, elected officials, and board and commission members. Researches and creates contracts, legal documents and opinions. Represents the City in litigation, administrative hearings and other civil matters before courts, administrative agencies and other forums.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities - The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description

• Exercises independent judgment in providing professional legal services to the City under general direction and supervision of the City Counselor, Deputy City Counselor or City Prosecutor.
• Conducts legal research, review and draft legal documents and reports, including: complex contracts, financial instruments, legislation, memorandums, pleadings and discovery responses,
• Renders sound written and oral opinions,
• Performs complex and detail-related work pertaining to assigned duties, including but not limited to land use, zoning, police, airport, utilities, public health, taxation, real estate, environmental and/or personnel issues.
• Represents the City in negotiations for complex agreements or transactions.
• Attends and represents the City in judicial or administrative proceedings to defend challenges to city actions or file actions on behalf of the city. Such work includes negotiating with adverse parties, conducting discovery, preparing disclosures, preparation of witnesses and exhibits and conducting trial and post-trial appellate proceedings.
• Conducts investigations and prepare reports.
• Reviews and files charges of municipal ordinance violations, as assigned.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned boards or commissions, as assigned. Prepares and coordinates all meetings, agendas, and minutes. Attend assigned meetings and provide advice and legal interpretation.
• Develops training curriculum for city staff or city volunteers and make public presentations in both oral and written form.
• Assists outside counsel in litigation.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
No supervisory authority. Work does require providing guidance and training to others.

Human Collaboration and Job Impact - This area describes the personal interaction with others outside direct reporting relationships as well as the impact the job has on organization, the department or unit objectives, the output of services, or employee or public satisfaction
Communications and discussions result in decisions regarding policy development and implementation. Interaction with others outside the organization requires exercising participative management skills that support team efforts and quality processes.

Interactions have significant impact on the organization in terms of time, money, or public/employee relations.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Position has limited fiscal responsibility.
• May be required to manage budget of assigned board or commission.
• May assist in the collection of data in support of recommendations for departmental budget allocations. May monitor division or program/promotional level budget and expenditures.
• Education and Experience - An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor from accredited program required.
• 3 years' legal experience is required; experience in local government or public sector law experience preferred. Other relevant work experience or training may substitute for legal experience.

Licenses or Certifications

• Missouri Bar License.
• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation to travel to events, meetings, etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position

Knowledge of:

• Local, state and federal laws, policies and rules related to local government operations and proceedings.
• Principles, practices and methods of legal research and sources for legal reference.
• Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.

Skill in:

• Communicating verbally and in writing to meet the needs of the audience.
• Public speaking.
• Conducting legal research.
• Drafting complex legal documents.

Ability to:

• Represent the city in a public setting by presenting logical, persuasive, legal, and factually accurate arguments.
• Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
• Work independently to complete a project from start to finish with minimal supervision,
• Manage and appropriately prioritize multiple tasks,
• Exercise sound judgment in identifying risks, proposing solutions and making critical decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal working relationships.
• Serve as a resource and provide advice to all city departments on legal issues and legal compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Maintain high ethical standards and strict confidentiality.
• Regularly use a computer, software, phone and related office equipment.

Focus on tasks.
Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job

Work Environment:

• Office or similar indoor environment – Frequently/Often
• Vehicle – Sometimes

Exposures:

• Individuals who are hostile or irate – Sometimes
• Individuals with known violent backgrounds – Sometimes