Assistant City Attorney Senior Civil

City of Sparks • City of Sparks, NV

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Sparks is seeking to hire one Assistant City Attorney Senior Civil. This position involves performing civil work for the City Attorney's office, and as needed for criminal areas, including providing legal service for one or more city departments and their associated elected or appointed boards and commissions. This is the highest level non-supervisory class in the Assistant City Attorney series, fully capable of working independently on the most complex civil litigation matters and directing and training staff. Incumbents may be assigned to any of three (3) classes depending upon experience and proficiency gained.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctorate
• Five (5) years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of civil and criminal law.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada, at time of hire and maintain active license throughout employment.
• Must be admitted to the Nevada State Bar at time of hire and remain an active member throughout employment.
• Must be licensed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States at time of hire and maintain active license throughout employment.
• Must possess and maintain the equivalent to a valid Nevada Class C driver's license within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Must possess and maintain Incident Command System (ICS) 100/200 within six (6) months of hire and ICS 300 as soon as available.
• Working knowledge of Nevada Revised Statues and Sparks Municipal Code
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations
• Knowledge of municipal government organization, structure and functional responsibilities
• Knowledge of civil, criminal and administrative procedure
• Knowledge of practices and effective techniques in the presentation of state and federal litigation, judicial procedures and rules of evidence
• Knowledge of principles and practices of emergency management
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer applications and software related to the work including but not limited to Microsoft Office
• Ability to proficiently litigate every type of legal action faced by the City
• Ability to analyze problems and issues and perform legal research, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations
• Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically
• Ability to represent the City effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings with others
• Ability to prepare clear, concise legally sufficient resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, permits, reports and written materials
• Ability to effectively communicate messages and positions on behalf of the City
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during work
• Ability to train others in work procedures

Nice To Haves

• Previous work experience in a municipal setting.
• Attorney-level background in employment law and human resources.

Responsibilities

• Protect the City from civil liability through both effective representation in Nevada's state and federal courts and by advising the City Council, City Manager, appointed bodies and department directors as to the legality of their actions or the most prudent way to achieve their goals.
• Maintain knowledge of goals and challenges identified by the City and the legal requirements associated.
• Be available to city departments to give advice and direction as needed during nonwork hours or as assigned.
• Advise city departments concerning their respective duties, powers, functions and obligations.
• Advise law enforcement on constitutional and criminal law issues pertaining to prosecution.
• Prosecute criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the Sparks Municipal Court from inception to appeal.
• Review cases for probable cause.
• Charge misdemeanors.
• Negotiate pleas or resolution pretrial and at trial.
• Communicate with attorneys, defendants, victims and witnesses.
• Handle all aspects of litigating the misdemeanors including trials and appeals.
• Research legal issues confronted by the City, both proactively and in response to requests from the City Council, City Manager, City Attorney and department directors.
• Represent the City in state and federal court, before administrative agencies, the Nevada Legislature and the public encompassing a wide variety of civil and criminal subject matter, including all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work.
• Represent the City in administrative hearings before City boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
• Investigate and prepare reports on claims against the City.
• Ensure the maintenance of records.
• Complete and compile reports of work performed.
• Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions.
• Evaluate their impact on City operations and recommend appropriate action.
• Assist other attorneys in all phases of legal work on more complex litigation.
• Attend meetings of the City Council, boards, and commissions as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Provide on call assistance to the police department on an as needed basis or as assigned.
• Perform other duties which may be assigned.

Benefits

• This position is Exempt under FLSA guidelines
• This position is at-will and exempt from the Regulations of the Civil Service Commission
• May be required to work during emergency circumstances or inclement weather conditions
• May be required to pass a pre-placement drug screen and background investigation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior