Assistant City Attorney II

The Arvada City Attorney's Office is looking for a motivated attorney to join a close-knit, talented legal team responsible for providing in-house legal services to a municipal corporation. This position performs professional legal work in a number of substantive areas, and is generally assigned to either the civil or criminal division. Depending on the specific assignment, this position may practice in areas of law that include: civil litigation, contracting, risk management, land use and real property, general municipal law, legislative drafting, and police legal advising. However, it also brings with it the opportunity to expand and develop skills in other areas of law. We are seeking someone who is engaged, driven to pursue public service, and who can work respectfully and cooperatively with other City team members, defendants, defense attorneys, and members of the public. We offer meaningful work that will enable you to make an immediate impact on the lives of those in our community, an unusually diverse array of professional development opportunities that will allow you to expand your skills in a variety of legal disciplines, and a work environment that supports a healthy work-life balance.

The City of Arvada promotes Equal Pay for Equal Work. Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity. The range listed reflects the entire range and typical placement is entry to mid-range.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs professional legal work on behalf of the city from within the office of the City Attorney.

• Performs legal research, writes briefs, memoranda and opinions of law about a broad range of legal matters, and in conjunction with certain litigation activities. Assists with researching and memorializing the analysis of sophisticated legal issues.

• Advises city staff on municipal legal matters regarding city ordinances, policies, and rules, as well as other local, state, and federal statutes or regulations. Assumes direct client responsibility for legal advice and representation of city departments and work systems.

• Prepares memoranda to city council and may be called upon to assist in the presentation of information to city council at executive session or otherwise as needed.

• Provides back up to municipal prosecutors as needed; provides strategic trial assistance to prosecutors as needed.

• Advises the administrative hearing officer in administrative hearings (e.g., tow hearings).

• Assists in the completion of tasks related to claims and litigation against the city, or of tasks related to investigations in cases where the city may become a plaintiff, including the assessment of cases, strategizing with outside counsel, and in negotiating settlements in conjunction with other city team members.

• May advise or provide assistance to boards, commissions, and other regulatory authorities (e.g., Liquor Authority, Building Code Advisory Board, Festivals Commission). May act as back up or substitute counsel for other boards, commissions, or authorities (e.g., Planning Commission, Housing Authority).

• Researches and prepares for or assists with or engages in training for staff attorneys; may present training to a client, including a board, commission, or authority.

• Prepares, reviews, and approves contracts and legal agreements.

• Drafts ordinances including amendments to an existing ordinance section, or a new section or sections of the code. May be called on to assist in the drafting of, or to draft policies and rules.

• May advise non-profit organizations connected to the city.

• Acts as an office resource for and provides technical assistance and guidance to less experienced attorneys.

• May guide law clerks' work to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the work product.

• May be called upon to provide occasional backup assistance for a Senior Assistant City Attorney II.

• Responds to inquiries from the public as appropriate.

• Exercises the appropriate independent judgment and initiative to make decisions within the scope of the position's assigned authority and that support organizational objectives.

• Demonstrates a respectful attitude toward customers and coworkers that promotes teamwork, open communication, and effective customer service.

• Acts with the customer in mind; responds promptly to internal and external customer requests; driven to provide effective services or solutions for customers.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• In-depth knowledge of a specific area or areas of municipal law.

• Ability to review and advise on the potential impact on the city of legislation pending at the state or federal level.

• Solid legal research skills paired with an understanding of the issues affecting city operations.

• Understanding of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural civil law as applied to municipal matters.

• Adept at presenting legal concepts to lay persons verbally and in writing to enhance understanding of the law, and city processes and procedures.

• Skilled at presenting evidence and eliciting testimony before judges and jurors in a courtroom setting.

• Skilled at planning and executing a range of legal projects; adept at ensuring that legal and administrative tasks related to the project are completed in a timely manner. Skilled at anticipating potential issues and in dealing with unexpected problems.

• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during occasional interactions with the public in potentially stressful situations.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Other duties as required.

• Attendance at night meetings may be required.

-Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job-

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Financial Accountability:

Responsible for properly documenting individual job-related personal expenses.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May provide technical supervision to law clerks.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The work environment/physical activities described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Work is primarily performed in an office or court room environment with low to moderate noise levels. Physical effort and activities include: Routine and limited physical effort consistent with working in an office or court room. Possibility of significant stressful interactions with attorneys and members of the public.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE):

• Bachelor's Degree; JD

• Admitted to practice (i.e., passed bar examination; licensed to practice) in Colorado

• Four years legal experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Five or more years of municipal law experience is preferred. Significant trial experience in both bench and jury trials at the local or state level is desirable.

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity

The City's Core values are in every employee's individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City's values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City's policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values:

Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.

Passion: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.

Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.