JOB POSITION #162: DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY or ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY (DOQ)
NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Administration/Legal
WORK LOCATION: City Hall
PAY CLASS & HIRING RANGE: Depending upon experience
TYPE OF POSITION: Regular, Full-Time
DAYS WORKED: Monday-Friday
HOURS WORKED: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL: Until Filled
JOB DUTIES:
DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Works under the supervision of the City Attorney.
Acts in place of, and assumes the duties of, the City Attorney as directed by the City Attorney and in the absence of the City Attorney.
As directed by the City Attorney, supervises and directs work of the City Attorney's Office support staff and Assistant City Attorney(s).
Either directly, or by directing the work of the Assistant City Attorney(s) prosecutes the laws and ordinances of the city in municipal, district, and appellate courts.
Under the general direction of the City Attorney, directs and advises the Claims Manager in managing claims on behalf of, and against, the city.
Prosecutes and defends legal actions on behalf of the city. Represents the city in court proceedings, mediations, arbitrations and governmental administrative proceedings.
Attends City Council meetings and other city board and commission meetings; offers advice as necessary.
Provides legal advice to city department heads, division heads, and other city employees in regard to their official duties and responsibilities.
Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, deeds, easements, agreements and other legal documents for the City Council, Mayor, City Manager and other city officials.
Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Recommends for adoption by the Council such measures that may be necessary or expedient.
Prepares and submits to the Council such reports and opinions as may be required by that body or as the City Attorney may deem it advisable to submit.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS:
This position is subject to the City's Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Program. This includes: post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing.
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law.
A license to practice law in New Mexico; in good standing of the state Supreme Court and the New Mexico Bar Association.
Valid New Mexico driver's license is required or ability to obtain one upon being hired.
At least ten years experience in the practice of law, at least five years of which has been in the state of New Mexico.
At least two years experience as a full-time municipal attorney preferred.
Comprehensive knowledge of state statues concerning municipal affairs, including laws regulating municipal government, public procurement, public employment, land use, utilities and traffic laws.
Demonstrated skills in performing legal research, drafting briefs and other legal pleadings and making legal arguments.
Ability to read, comprehend, edit, revise and advise others as to meaning of, complex legal documents, contracts, agreements, deeds, easements, court decisions, and legal opinions.
Ability to appear before and make presentations to, councils, boards and commissions, and other administrative agencies.
Ability to manage, supervise, motivate, and evaluate attorneys and legal support staff.
Ability to operate tools and equipment as needed to perform job duties.
JOB DUTIES:
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Performs a variety of complex, high level administrative, technical and professional work in prosecuting crimes, conducting civil lawsuits, drawing up legal documents, advising city officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices other phases of applicable local, state and Federal law.
Works under the supervision of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.
Directs work load of legal secretary and other support staff.
Provides professional advice to the City Council and department heads; makes presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
Prosecutes violations of City ordinances in Municipal Court, prepares Municipal Court cases for trial, and advises police officers and other enforcement personnel.
Assists department directors to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed.
Through the City Attorney, advises the City Council of legal conditions and current and future trends; issues legal opinions.
Attends all meetings of the Council or administration at which attendance may be required.
Attends meetings of other public bodies or agencies when directed.
Approves ordinances, resolutions and contracts as to legal form; provides legal advice as to substance.
Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc.; reviews documents prepared by other agencies or parties.
Advises City officials of changes to state or Federal laws affecting city operations.
Gathers evidence in civil, criminal, and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action.
Conducts research, interviews City staff and witnesses, and handles other details in preparation for trial.
Prepares legal pleadings, motions and briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case. Files documents with court.
Represents City in state and federal courts, and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for City officials and staff.
Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings; serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials on specialized legal issues.
Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Recommends for adoption by the Council such measures that may be necessary or expedient.
Prepares and submits to the Council such reports and opinions as may be required by that body or as the City Attorney may deem it advisable to submit.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS:
This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law.
A license to practice law in New Mexico; member in good standing of the state Bar Association.
Valid New Mexico driver's license with acceptable driving record for past three years.
Considerable knowledge of state statutes relating to municipal affairs; considerable knowledge of laws relating to the purchase of goods and services, contracting, labor, employment, land use, environment and traffic.
Skill in preparing briefs and other legal documents.
Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, the court system, and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City personnel and the public.
Ability to operate tools and equipment listed.
BOTH POSITIONS:
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Requires frequent use of personal computer, including word processing; calculator, telephone, copy machine, and motor vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hand to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment is a normal office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
