City Attorney

Description

Average Hours Per Week: 19 or less hours per week
Position Type: Part time, not eligible for benefits
General Purpose: The City Attorney serves as the appointed legal counsel for the City of Ammon and provides part-time legal advice, review, representation, and support to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, department directors, boards, commissions, and City staff on matters affecting City operations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel and guidance to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, department directors, boards, commissions, and City employees regarding municipal operations and legal matters.
• Attends all regular and special City Council meetings and select Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, and provides legal advice as requested.
• Reviews, drafts, negotiates, and approves contracts, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, policies, easements, deeds, development agreements, staff reports, and other legal documents.
• Researches and provides formal and informal legal opinions concerning municipal law, land use, public records, open meetings, employment matters, public works, utility operations, enterprise operations, procurement, code enforcement, and other legal issues affecting the City.
• Represents the City in civil litigation, city code violations, administrative proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and other legal matters, or coordinates representation through outside counsel when appropriate.
• Serves as the City's general counsel and is responsible for providing routine legal advice and services to the City.
• Assists in the enforcement of City ordinances and regulations.
• Provides legal review of agenda items, staff reports, and proposed actions presented to the City Council.
• Maintains professional licensure and remains current on developments in municipal law and related legal fields.
• Responds to legal inquiries from City officials and staff promptly and in a timely manner.
• Provides legal support during emergencies, special projects, public hearings, and other City functions as needed.
• Maintains effective working relationships with elected officials, employees, consultants, contractors, government agencies, and the public.
• Exercises sound professional judgment and maintains confidentiality when required.
• Manages multiple priorities and responds effectively to time-sensitive legal matters.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of municipal law, Idaho statutes, administrative law, constitutional law, contract law, employment law, public records law, open meeting law, land use law, and related legal disciplines.
• Knowledge of the structure, functions, and operations of local government.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues and provide practical, legally sound recommendations.
• Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, employees, consultants, contractors, government agencies, and the public.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to time-sensitive legal matters.

Minimum Acceptable Experience And Training

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Current membership in good standing with the Idaho State Bar.
• A minimum of five (5) years of legal practice, with municipal, governmental, public sector, land use, employment, or related legal experience preferred.
• Experience advising elected officials, governing boards, or public agencies is preferred.

Tools, Equipment, and Information Technology (IT) Required for the Position

• Reliable transportation for travel to and from City facilities, meetings, court appearances, and other work-related locations.
• Cell phone and associated service.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and expenses necessary to maintain an active license to practice law.
• Idaho State Bar licensing fees, dues, and other professional membership fees.
• Any additional professional resources not specifically provided by the City.

Work Environment

• Position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls.
• Tasks require a variety of physical activities, generally involving minor muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, and reaching.
• Talking, hearing and seeing well are necessary to perform essential functions.
• Rapid work speed required to perform keyboard operations.
• Common eye, hand, finger, dexterity required.
• Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking and some creative problem solving.
• The City Attorney does not have an office in city hall, they will be expected to provide their own office space.
• Office support staff will not be provided.
• Travel Requirements: Some local travel required.

Supplemental Information

• Disclaimer: Must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others.
• This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract.
• Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.
• This position is not eligible for benefits.