City Attorney

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Description:

DEFINITION

Under general administrative direction, to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the City Attorney's Office; to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Mayor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises direct supervision over professional and technical staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Assume full management responsibility for all services and activities provided by the City Attorney's Office including civil litigation, prosecution of misdemeanor criminal offenses in City and State courts, advising City officials and City Council on legal issues pertaining to their proposed actions, and preparing appropriate City ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents.

Manage the development and implementation of the City Attorney's Office goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.

Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.

Represent the City Attorney's Office to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and interpret City Attorney's Office programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controver­sial issues.

Select, train, motivate and evaluate City Attorney's Office person­nel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.

Plan, direct and coordinate the City Attorney's Office work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.

Manage and participate in the development and administration of the City Attorney's Office budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expendi­tures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.

Coordinate City Attorney's Office activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the Mayor and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to City Attorney's Office programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.

Provide legal advise and opinions to the Mayor, Department Directors, City Council, and City boards and commissions, as required; advise staff and officials on the legal requirements and consequences of proposed actions; conduct on-going legal research in connection with legal issues pertaining to the City.

Represent the City and its boards, commissions, and agents in legal proceedings before courts, administrative agencies and boards, and arbitrators including to prepare pleadings, conduct legal research, prepare briefs and memoranda, appear in court, and negotiate with other parties.

Represent City management on labor issues; participates in collective bargaining on behalf of City management; participate in contract interpretation and administration; represent the City in grievance and labor and contract arbitration.

Analyze, review and draft proposed legislation for the City Council.

Analyze, review, and draft contracts which bind or obligate the City; provide legal opinions and recommendations to ensure the City is properly and effectively repre­sented in such matters.

Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law.

Monitor and assist in legal work performed by outside attorneys retained to represent the City in various cases.

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law department.

Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.

Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of City government and the City Attorney's Office.

Modern and complex principles and practices of municipal law program development and administra­tion.

Principles and applications of civil, criminal and administrative law including those relative to municipal operations, municipal finance, parliamentary procedures, and other legal proceedings.

Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.

Methods of legal research; established precedents applicable to municipal activities.

Advanced principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Principles of supervi­sion, training and performance evaluation.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Skill to:

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

Ability to:

Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the City Attorney's Office.

Ability to:

Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient legal services.

Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of professional and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.

Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

Represent the City in a wide variety of judicial and administrative proceed­ings.

Prepare and present difficult cases in court.

Present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically.

Conduct research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.

Analyze a wide variety of legal issues and prepare diverse legal documents.

Interpret and apply legal principles and procedures.

Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Identify and respond to Mayor and City Council issues, concerns and needs.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommenda­tions in support of goals.

Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.

Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.

Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:

Seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in municipal or other government law including five years of manage­ment and superviso­ry experience.

Training:

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

License or Certificate:

Membership in the Wyoming State Bar and license to practice law in the State and Federal courts.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to work in a standard office environment.