Assistant City Attorney I

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 will work primarily as a municipal court prosecutor managing a docket of misdemeanor and traffic cases, however, it carries 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.

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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.

• Is 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.

• May be called upon to provide occasional backup assistance for an Assistant City Attorney II or Senior Assistant City Attorney.

• Responds to inquiries from the public as appropriate.

• Exercises the appropriate independent judgment and initiative to make decisions within the scope of the position's assigned authority and that support organizational objectives.

• Demonstrates a respectful attitude toward customers and coworkers that promotes teamwork, open communication, and effective customer service.

• Acts with the customer in mind; responds promptly to internal and external customer requests; driven to provide effective services or solutions for customers.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• 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.

• Excellent verbal written communication skills; 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.

• 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 on a daily basis to litigate matters before the municipal court. Ability to make decisions that move cases forward in a fast-paced prosecution environment.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Other duties as required.

• Attendance at night meetings may be required.

-Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job-

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Financial Accountability:

Responsible for properly documenting individual job-related personal expenses.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The work environment/physical activities described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Work is primarily performed in an office or court room environment with low to moderate noise levels. Physical effort and activities include: Routine and limited physical effort consistent with working in an office or court room. Significant and frequent stressful interactions with criminal defendants, attorneys, and other members of the public.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE):

• Bachelor's Degree; JD

• Admitted to practice (i.e., passed bar examination; licensed to practice) in Colorado

• One year legal experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Two 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.

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity

The City's Core values are in every employee's individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City's values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City's policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values:

Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.

Passion: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.

Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.