Deputy City Attorney OR Assistant City Attorney (DOQ)

About the role

The City of Farmington is seeking a Deputy City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney to join the Legal Department. The position is available in Farmington, New Mexico.

Responsibilities

• Works under the supervision of the City Attorney.
• Acts in place of, and assumes the duties of, the City Attorney as directed by the City Attorney and in the absence of the City Attorney.
• Serves as the primary legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and other city officials.
• Prosecutes the laws and ordinances of the city in municipal, district, and appellate courts.
• Manages and advises the Claims Manager on claims on behalf of, and against, the city.
• Represents the city in court proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and governmental administrative proceedings.
• Attends City Council meetings and other city board and commission meetings; offers advice as necessary.
• Provides legal advice to city department heads, division heads, and other city employees.
• Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, deeds, easements, agreements, and other legal documents for the City Council, Mayor, City Manager, and other city officials.
• Manages and supervises the work of the City Attorney's Office support staff and Assistant City Attorney(s).

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law.
• A license to practice law in New Mexico; in good standing of the state Supreme Court and the New Mexico Bar Association.
• Valid New Mexico driver's license is required or ability to obtain one upon being hired.
• At least ten years experience in the practice of law, at least five years of which has been in the state of New Mexico.
• At least two years experience as a full-time municipal attorney preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of state statues concerning municipal affairs, including laws regulating municipal government, public procurement, public employment, land use, utilities, and traffic laws.
• Demonstrated skills in performing legal research, drafting briefs and other legal pleadings, and making legal arguments.
• Ability to read, comprehend, edit, revise, and advise others as to the meaning of, complex legal documents, contracts, agreements, deeds, easements, court decisions, and legal opinions.
• Ability to appear before and make presentations to, councils, boards, commissions, and other administrative agencies.
• Ability to manage, supervise, motivate, and evaluate attorneys and legal support staff.
• Ability to operate tools and equipment as needed to perform job duties.

Benefits

The City of Farmington offers a competitive salary range for both positions, ranging from $75,191 to $116,906 annually for Deputy City Attorney and $67,875 to $105,552 annually for Assistant City Attorney. Additionally, the position comes with a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Pay

The starting salary for the Deputy City Attorney position ranges from $75,191 to $116,906 annually, while the Assistant City Attorney position starts at $67,875 to $105,552 annually.

Schedule

The schedule for both positions is Monday through Friday, with hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.