Closing Date: 28th April, 2024
Description:
Descriptive Statement:The Deputy City Attorney is an exempt, unclassified position with responsibility for a broad range of legal matters requiring in-depth knowledge of specialized areas of municipal law and the responsibility to perform the position of acting City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney. Subject to general direction from the City Attorney, this position exercises independent judgment and decision-making. Under the administrative direction of the City Attorney, provides legal assistance to the Pueblo City Council, City boards and commissions, and City departments, Including representing the City in litigation, drafting, and reviewing resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and other legal documents; provides legal advice relating to risk exposures; and as requested, advising City departments and agencies concerning local, state, and federal legislation.
This job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of the position.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Represents and provides written and oral legal advice on a variety of legal issues to City Council, members of boards and commissions, City staff as directed, and City Departments including the City's Public Works Department (including all divisions), Civil Service Commission, Pension Board, and Municipal Enterprises; exercises discretion; and provides legal advice concerning issues implicated by City policy, state, and federal law
- Maintains and develops expertise in federal, state, and local laws, court decisions, ordinances, regulations and policies related to City activities and functions, specifically those affecting its Public Works Department, Civil Service Commission, Pension Board, and Municipal Enterprises
- Drafts legal opinions at the request of the City Attorney; prepares and reviews various types of legal documents including but not limited to contracts, deeds, pleadings, ordinances, and leases; reviews and interprets charter, code, ordinances, resolutions, and City policies in response to inquiries from City Department/Division heads and managers; and reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures
- Responds to Colorado Open Records and Criminal Justice Records Requests
- Monitors or assists in handling claims against the City and initiates or recommends appropriate legal action
- Monitors or participates in preparing litigation cases and negotiates settlements and agreements
- Provides staff assistance to the City Attorney and participates in developing the Law Department's work plan
- Meets with City staff to explain policies and compliance with the law and resolve non-compliance issues
- Provides mentoring, counseling and professional assistance on legal skills and professional responsibilities
- Supervises and directs the work activities of subordinate staff
- May develop, provide, or coordinate staff training
Important Functions:
May perform duties of similar classes of equal or lower pay grade
Physical Requirements:
The physical attributes an employee must have to perform the essential job duties with or without a reasonable accommodation include:
Must be able to lift and move files and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds. Work is sedentary and done in a seated position but requires frequent moving about, standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, or stooping to access files. The incumbent must be able to speak and hear to communicate with customers and employees by telephone or in person and use vision to operate a vehicle, work with written documents and forms, and respond to employees and customers.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Must have knowledge and experience in at least two of the following areas:
Must have extensive knowledge and experience in at least five significant areas of municipal law and knowledge of or familiarity with:
Must have the skill and ability to:
Minimum Qualifications:
In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities above, the position requires:
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Must have knowledge and experience in at least two of the following areas:
- Public Infrastructure
- Public Finance
- Labor Relations
- Human Resources
- Public Pensions
- Civil Service
- General Litigation Management
Must have extensive knowledge and experience in at least five significant areas of municipal law and knowledge of or familiarity with:
- Knowledge of the organization of the municipal government of Pueblo, its Charter, and ordinances or clearly established equivalent knowledge
- Duties, powers, authorities and limitations of Colorado municipal corporations
- Substantive law, including the law of Contract, Torts and Administrative law, the law of Evidence, and Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure
- Federal and state laws and regulations that generally affect municipalities
- Legal principles, practices, concepts, procedures and methodologies employed in administrative and judicial hearings
- Standard office equipment, computer equipment, and related software, including word processing, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail
- Legal research methods and techniques, including online legal research and electronic filing systems employed by Colorado State and Federal courts
Must have the skill and ability to:
- Provide responsible assistance to the City Attorney
- Analyze problems, identify alternate solutions, and make appropriate recommendations relating to City goals and objectives
- Draft, review, and analyze a wide variety of legal documents, contracts, policies, laws, and regulations
- Clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
- Exercise sound judgment and discretion in decision-making
- Possess and maintain a good reputation for honesty, integrity, and confidentiality
- Negotiate effectively
- Supervise secretarial and legal assistant employees and mentor and direct Senior Assistant City Attorneys and Assistant City Attorneys when necessary
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse individuals such as attorneys, law enforcement agencies, City officials and staff, and other individuals who are involved in the civil justice process
- Perform job responsibilities independently and on own initiative promptly
- Work hours as needed or necessary, including, but not limited to, evening meetings
Minimum Qualifications:
In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities above, the position requires:
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree
- Admission to practice in Colorado and in good standing
- At least ten (10) years of concentrated government law experience
- A valid driver's license at the time of application and a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of employment
- License restrictions that may hinder your ability to drive on City business, such as an interlock, will cause disqualification
- During employment, a valid license must be maintained, and the employee must notify the City immediately upon changes to their license status