HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity AttorneyUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: City Atorney
Department: City Atorney’s Office
Division: City Atorney’s Office
Supervisor: City Council
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: No
Pay Grade: N/A
Job Number: 7003
Job Summary
Provides legal oversight and direc�on for the city. Func�ons as the legal advisor to the City
Council, City staff and most City boards and commissions.
Essen�al Job Du�es and Responsibili�es
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Serves as legal advisor and provides advice and recommenda�ons to the City Council,
City Manager, department directors and staff and City boards and commissions; renders
oral and writen opinions.
• Atends City Council mee�ngs and provides legal advice and opinion during regular,
special, and execu�ve sessions.
• Represents the City in li�ga�on, administra�ve, state, and federal district courts and
state and federal appellate courts; represents the City in legal maters, brings suits on
behalf of the City and defends the City in suits brought against it.
• Researches and dra�s ordinances, resolu�ons and other documents for review and
ac�on by the City Council; prepares contracts, leases and other legal documents; reviews
and signs off on documents prepared by other City staff.
• Hires, trains, and provides work direc�on to legal staff; supervises the work performed
by staff, monitors the performance of legal work by outside counsel; assists outside
counsel where appropriate.
• Oversees li�ga�on proceedings including evalua�on, inves�ga�on, analysis, research,
discovery, setlement, pre-trial mo�ons, trials and post-trial mo�ons and appeals.
• Provides advice and makes recommenda�ons to City Council on li�ga�on strategy,
evaluates and makes recommenda�ons on poten�al setlements.
• Prepares and monitors departmental budget.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs other du�es as assigned.
Updated: March 2024
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited educa�onal ins�tu�on and five years of related
experience. Experience in municipal law prac�ce or general prac�ce with significant
exposure to municipal law.
• Valid Iowa law license and admission to Iowa Bar to prac�ce in Iowa courts required.
Must pass criminal background check. Must reside in the municipal limits of the City of
Iowa City.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited educa�onal ins�tu�on and ten years of related
experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abili�es
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scien�fic thinking to a wide range of intellectual
and prac�cal problems.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
propor�ons, percentages.
• Ability to communicate effec�vely with others, both orally and in wri�ng, using both
technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scien�fic equa�ons, graphs, musical
notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.
• Ability to efficiently priori�ze work assignments and complete assignments within the
designated deadlines.
• Ability to establish effec�ve working rela�onships with employees, supervisors, and the
public.
• Ability to make effec�ve and persuasive speeches and presenta�ons on controversial or
complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors,
commissions, or elected officials.
• Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex legal
issues.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of a professional staff. Ability to gain coopera�on
through discussion and persuasion.
• Ability to read complex materials, conduct legal research, analyze legal ques�ons, and
effec�vely explain conclusions.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out du�es.
• Ability to respond effec�vely to the most sensi�ve inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to supervise the prepara�on and trial of cases and to present material clearly and
logically in oral and writen form.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or writen policies, procedures, and
instruc�ons.
• Knowledge at advanced level of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctua�on.
• Knowledge at advanced level of federal, state, and municipal law.
Updated: March 2024
• Knowledge at advanced level of judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge at advanced level of legal prac�ces and procedures.
• Knowledge at advanced level of the principles of legal wri�ng and report prepara�on.
• Knowledge at advanced level of the principles, prac�ces, methods, materials, and
references u�lized in legal research.
• Skill in communica�ng concisely and clearly both orally and in wri�ng.
• Skill in dra�ing and edi�ng legal documents, ordinances, and li�ga�on materials.
• Skill in preparing clear and concise legal posi�on papers and presen�ng persuasive
arguments.
• Skill in using computers and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso� Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook) and proficiency with changing technology.
Supervision
Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a department. Carries out
supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include supervising subordinate supervisors and direct reports including
interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; writing
and delivering performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing
complaints and resolving problems; and terminating employees.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The
employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to
adjust focus. Ability to transport self from building to building and to attend various court
functions and meetings at other sites either within or outside City Hall.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
Updated: March 2024
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Eric Goers, City Atorney (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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