City Attorney

City of Evans•Evans, CO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The City Attorney reports to and is under the administrative direction of the City Council and works collaboratively with the City Manager and Executive Team. Administrative coordination shall not supersede the City Attorney’s independent professional judgment or ethical obligations. The City Attorney is responsible for serving as the chief legal advisor and representative of the city and advises the City Council, City Manager, City departments, Boards and Commissions on matters relating to their official powers and duties. The City Attorney shall be an attorney-at-law admitted to practice law in the State of Colorado.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado and be in active, good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court Registration Division.
5 years of experience in the active practice of law and three (3) years of municipal law concentration.
Valid Colorado Driver’s License or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

10 years of experience in the active practice of law
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience in public/municipal sector.

Responsibilities

Provides oversight and is accountable for the City Attorney’s Office, while working closely with City Council, City Manager, Department Directors, City Staff, Boards, and Commissions to effectively and consistently achieve the strategic goals of the City.
Serves as legal advisor to and be attorney and counsel for the City Council. Shall advise any officer or department head of the City in matters relating to the Attorney’s official duties when requested and shall file with the City Clerk a copy of all written opinions given by the individual.
Interprets the Evans City Charter, Evans Municipal Code, ordinances, resolutions, and City policies in response to City Council and/or City Manager direction, staff requests and citizen inquiries.
Prosecutes violations of the Evans Municipal Code in Municipal Court, and conduct for the City cases in Court and before other legally constituted tribunals. The City Attorney shall file with the City Clerk copies of such records and files relating thereto as the City Council may direct.
Advises the City Council on all matters of law and changes or developments affecting the city.
Provides complex guidance on matters of significance in alignment with policy and executive leadership objectives.
Serves as an effective and collaborative member of the City Manager’s Executive Team by providing input and counsel about City operations geared toward solving complex problems.
Recommends and prepares additions, amendments, and revisions to the Evans Municipal Code and city policy.
Possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform all the essential duties of the job safely and satisfactorily, including, but not limited to municipal governance, teamwork, problem-solving, relationship-building, customer service, detail oriented, technology/equipment proficiency, policy adherence, time management, result-orientation, research and analyzing data, decision-making, self-motivation, stewardship, integrity, and upholding our EDGE core values.
Ability to listen to, read, understand, and communicate the English language both orally and in writing so others can understand, such as correspondence, report writing, and emails.
To support consistent high-quality service for our community and each other, it is the expectation of the City Attorney to maintain professional availability and responsiveness consistent with executive-level responsibilities and City policy.
Defends litigation brought against the City and/or its officers and employees, and pursues litigation brought for the City and/or its officers and employees.
The City Attorney is expected to perform duties in a manner consistent with the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct; conduct legal research; provide advice on a variety of legal issues; investigate and monitors claims against the City and initiates or recommend appropriate legal action.
Monitors and participates in review and preparation of cases for litigation, including drafting pleadings, conducting discovery; negotiates settlement and agreements.
Prepares and reviews memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, intergovernmental agreements, contracts, bonds, easements, dedications of right-of-way, leases, deeds and other legal documents as required, and give their opinion regarding the legal consequences thereof.
Monitors, assesses, and evaluates proposed and enacted state and federal legislation, and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and legal trends as they impact the City’s legal interest.
Determines the need for and oversees outside (contracted) legal counsel to assist with certain legal work.
Represents the City Council, City Manager, and boards and commissions in administrative proceedings as directed by the City Council or City Manager, and responds to CORA inquiries from Staff.
Advises staff on responses to subpoenas.
Drafts, updates, revises, and brings municipal court standing orders into compliance with changing statutes.
Provides training for various departments to avoid potential City liability in future litigation.
Extensive knowledge of the principles and procedures of Colorado Revised Statutes, Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, and Colorado Constitution and the ordinances, policies and regulations of municipal, civil, business and constitutional law, procedures, and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and statutes governing the practice of law in the State of Colorado and the City, including the City Charter and Code, Colorado Revised Statutes, U.S. Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Colorado case law, U.S. and Colorado Constitution, Rules of Procedures for county and district courts, State of Colorado and the district and 10th Circuit Federal Courts.
Knowledge of available resources for conducting legal research, including those found in hard print and via electronic mediums.
Working knowledge of municipal law and related legal practice areas impacting local government, including litigation, land use, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
Ability to identify legal risks to mitigate liability for the City.
Knowledge of liens, real property, and tax-collection.
Skill in conducting legal research and preparing legal pleadings, briefs, and opinions.
Skill in presenting cases to courts.
Ability to prosecute municipal and traffic offenses or reach plea agreements with defendants.
Ability to effectively monitor proposed state and federal legislation and prepare legislative impact reports.
Ability to present sound legal arguments on behalf of the City.
Ability to negotiate resolutions to complex legal issues.
As a member of the City of Evans team, employees are privileged to serve each other and the community, therefore, will be asked to perform additional duties as assigned.