HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirst Assistant City AttorneyUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: First Assistant City Atorney
Department: City Atorney’s Office
Division: City Atorney’s Office
Supervisor: City Atorney
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: No
Pay Grade: 31
Job Number: 3101
Job Summary
Under general supervision from City Atorney, provides legal services to City Council, staff,
boards and commissions. Represents City at administra�ve hearings and in li�ga�on in state and
federal courts.
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.
• Acts in absence of the City Atorney including management of staff and serving as the
lead for the department.
• Represents the City Council, boards, commissions and departments in li�ga�on,
administra�ve, state and federal district courts and state and federal appellate courts.
• Prepares writen and oral arguments, case presenta�on including fact inves�ga�ons,
discovery, deposi�ons, witness prepara�on, legal research, briefing and atendance at
hearings.
• Researches legal issues for all departments with special aten�on to employment issues,
contract and nego�a�on.
• Provides counsel to City departments regarding compliance and legal op�ons,
performing services in person and by writen legal opinion.
• Performs legal research, fact inves�ga�ons, clear communica�ons and explana�on of
conclusions.
• Iden�fies and resolves legal and procedural maters related to resolu�ons, ordinances
and procedures.
• Dra�s, edits, and revises City documents, resolu�ons, ordinances and contracts, real
estate documents, leases, agreements, easements, and eminent domain items, and legal
documents.
• Atends mee�ngs of City boards and commissions to provide counsel.
• Atends City Council mee�ngs in the City Atorney's absence.
• Communicates with the public, atorneys and others to iden�fy and resolve legal issues.
• Works with City staff on communica�on with the public, vendors and others.
• Inves�gates complaints of sexual harassment, improper conduct and personnel policy
viola�ons.
Updated: March 2024
• Works with outside counsel on City maters.
• Reviews and responds to open records requests.
• Oversees prosecu�on of City misdemeanors and municipal infrac�ons.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs all other related du�es as assigned.
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.
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 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 mul�- task and priori�ze work assignments and complete
assignments within the designated �me deadlines.
• 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 read complex materials, conduct legal research, analyze legal ques�ons, and to
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 complaint, skill in
responding to customer needs.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws; federal and state court prac�ce; and
municipal organiza�on and opera�on.
• Skill in dra�ing and edi�ng legal documents, ordinances, and li�ga�on materials.
• Skill in facilita�ng communica�on with many par�es.
• Skill in organizing and presen�ng persuasive argument.
• Skill in using computers and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso� Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook) and proficiency with changing technology.
Updated: March 2024
• Skill in working with a wide variety of public issues and public agencies.
Supervision
Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to
permanent staff in completing daily tasks and assignments. May perform additional supervisory
duties at the direction of the Department or Division Head to include disciplinary action,
assisting with hiring or firing, and writing or delivering performance reviews.
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.
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
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)
Updated: March 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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