Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, this position performs a variety of professional civil and criminal legal duties including preparing cases for trial, drafting resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and related documents, rendering legal opinions, and serving as legal advisor to City boards and commissions.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Attorney I/II

This position exercises no supervision.

Attorney III

This position may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Initiate ordinance compliance proceedings in court.

Oversee preparation of required legal instruments.

Prepare and try cases, with or without juries.

Investigate claims and complaints by or against the City; recommend action to be taken.

Research and prepare legal documents for trials and proceedings.

Advise boards and commissions assigned.

Review, revise, and prepare City ordinances and resolutions.

Review a variety of contracts and other instruments used by other departments and divisions including bid documents and contracts for services.

Respond to staff and citizen inquires; provide assistance and advice as necessary to resolve problems.

Operation of personal and/or City vehicle to and form work sites, meetings, and activities.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Civil and criminal law and the methods and practices of pleading.

Principles, methods, materials, and practices used in legal research.

Skill to:

Operate office equipment including computer equipment.

Ability to:

Work in a standard office environment.

Advise boards and commissions, as well as research and prepare legal documents.

Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence and precedents and to present such material in a clear and logical form.

Present and argue cases in court.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Attorney III

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Attorney I

Experience:

Experience as a practicing attorney is preferred.

Experience in a municipal or governmental practice is preferred.

Education/Training:

A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law is required.

License or Certificate:

A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Admission to the Bar of the State of Texas is required.

Attorney II

Experience:

Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney or three (3) years as an attorney practicing municipal law is required.

Education/Training:

At least 20 hours of Continuing Legal Education in the specific area of municipal law during the previous 3 years.

License or Certificate:

Attorney III

Experience:

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a practicing attorney or six (6) years as an attorney practicing municipal law is required.

Education/Training:

At least 40 hours of Continuing Legal Education in the specific area of municipal law during the previous 5 years.

License or Certificate:

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task
_I__ Standing
_M__ Sitting
_I__ Walking
_A__ Lifting
_A__ Carrying
_A__ Pushing/Pulling
_A__ Overhead Work
_A__ Fine Dexterity
_A__ Kneeling
_A__ Crouching
_A__ Crawling
_A__ Bending
_A__ Twisting
_A__ Climbing
_A__ Balancing
_E__ Vision
_E__ Hearing
_M__ Talking
___ Other: _____________________