Assistant City Attorney I or II

City of Arvada • Arvada, CO

11d • $101,229 - $138,415

About The Position

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. This is a term limited position and is currently funded through 2028. However, subject to availability of funds after 2028, or normal attrition (resignations or retirements), this position may become a permanent position. A resume and cover letter are required as part of our application process. 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.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of general municipal operations.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, and case law; ability to review and advise on the potential impact to the Municipal Court of legislation pending at the state or federal level.
• Basic legal research skills.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural criminal law as applied to municipal prosecution and appeals.
• Ability to present evidence and testimony effectively before judges and jurors in a courtroom setting.
• Ability to plan and coordinate legal projects; can ensure that legal and administrative tasks related to the project are completed in a timely manner; ability to problem solve.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during daily, stressful, in-person interactions with defendants, attorneys, and other members of the public.
• Ability to appear in person daily to litigate matters before the municipal court.
• Ability to make decisions that move cases forward in a fast-paced prosecution environment.
• Ability to diligently adhere to the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• License to practice law in the State of Colorado is required.
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school
• Yes
• One (1) year legal experience.
• Must obtain and maintain a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Certification.
• Must pass a criminal background check and a driving record check, if required by the position.

Nice To Haves

• A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is preferred.
• Two (2) or more years of municipal law experience or the equivalent is preferred.
• Some trial experience in both bench and jury trials at the local level is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional legal work on behalf of the city from within the office of the City Attorney.
• Performs legal research, writes briefs, memoranda, and legal opinions in conjunction with work in the scope of the position’s assigned authority.
• Acts as a legal resource for and advisor to city employees, including sworn and civilian enforcement personnel on the interpretation and enforcement of city ordinances, policies, and rules, as well as other local, state, and federal statutes or regulations.
• Answer questions from other team members as needed.
• Assists with the preparation of information for more experienced attorneys and other city team members.
• Assesses municipal court cases, prepares plea offers and engages in plea negotiations, interviews, and prepares witnesses, prepares all pleadings, presents cases in court, and handles appeals of municipal court cases.
• Collaborates with internal and external resource providers, and tracks specialty court information as needed.
• Prepares and presents cases to a hearing officer in administrative case matters (e.g., tow hearings).
• Assists departments with legal matters.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the city regarding violation of city ordinances.
• Assists with boards, commissions, or regulatory authorities work (prosecuting Liquor Authority or Building Code Advisory Board cases).
• Researches and prepares materials for and may assist with or engages in training for client departments.
• Reviews and approves or assists in drafting contracts.
• Researches inquiries about ordinances, policies, and rules; provides information and assistance to the drafting attorney throughout the drafting process; may be called upon to create a first draft of an ordinance or policy.
• Responsible for helping ensure the success of everyone on the Legal team.
• Works with and provides technical assistance to law clerks to improve clerks’ work product.
• Responds to inquiries from the public as appropriate.
• Travels to and attends team and organizational meetings, training, events and activities and appropriately and professionally represents the department.
• Responsible for properly documenting individual job-related personal expenses.
• Provides technical supervision to law clerks as needed.
• Provides occasional backup assistance for an Assistant City Attorney II or Senior Assistant City Attorney.
• Attends night meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The City of Arvada offers a robust Total Rewards package.
• Temporary, Variable Hour and Health Plan Eligible employees will earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum cap of 48 hours.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree