City Attorney Administration - Attorney I/II/III

General Description

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 inquiries; provide assistance and advice as necessary to resolve problems.
• Operate personal and/or City vehicle to and from work sites, meetings, and activities.

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.
• Operate office equipment including computer equipment.
• Work in a standard office environment.
• Advising boards and commissions, as well as researching and preparing legal documents.
• Analyzing, appraising, and organizing facts, evidence, and precedents and presenting such material in a clear and logical form.
• Presenting and arguing cases in court.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

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:
  • Experience as a practicing attorney is preferred.
  • Experience in a municipal or governmental practice is preferred.
  • A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law is required.
  • 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.

Special Requirements

• Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
  • Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
  • Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
  • 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

• Standing – Infrequent (Sitting – Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
• Walking – Infrequent (Lifting – Almost Never (Carrying – Almost Never (Pushing/Pulling – Almost Never (Overhead Work – Almost Never (Fine Dexterity – Almost Never (Kneeling – Infrequent (Crouching – Infrequent (Crawling – Almost Never (Bending – Infrequent (Twisting – Infrequent (Climbing – Infrequent (Balancing – Almost Never (Vision – Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• Hearing – Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• Talking – Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• Other: N/A