City of Nampa Human Resources · 3 months ago
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
Nampa, ID
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$105K/yr - $120K/yr
3+ years expThe City of Nampa is seeking a dedicated, team-oriented Assistant City Attorney to support the City Attorney in building the legal department for Idaho's third-largest city during a period of significant growth. The Assistant City Attorney will provide legal advice and counsel on municipal law issues, represent the City in litigation and administrative hearings, and assist with contract negotiations and other legal matters.
Government Relations
Responsibilities
Serve as legal counsel to the City of Nampa, assisting the City Attorney with all legal matters, both civil and criminal
Provide legal review and guidance to all City Departments for various municipal matters, such as contracts for public works projects, professional service agreements, grant proposals, inquiries with public record requests, public hearing procedures, and the interpretation of laws and ordinances. Provides legal advice and counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Departments, and City boards and commissions on the legal risks and viable options regarding governmental and operational affairs
Represent the City in civil litigation cases and/or administrative hearings; prepare memoranda, motions, briefs, and pleadings for judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings; negotiate, review, and prepare agreements and contracts for City Departments; may represent the City in complex contract negotiations
Attend City Council meetings and other City public meetings, as needed or assigned. At the request of the City Attorney, Department Directors, or other city officials or employees, provide training to public safety officers and general City employees, as well as legal training in civil and related law topics in areas of law, risk assessment, legal compliance, and policy development
Deliver excellent customer service to the public, other City staff, and departments. Provide information, answer questions, and respond to inquiries in person and by telephone
Direct and assign tasks to legal staff assistants
As may be assigned, prosecutes misdemeanor and traffic infractions, including appeals, and domestic violence cases. Coordinates efforts of police, county prosecutors, victim witness coordinator, and other victim advocates, victims, and Domestic Violence Court personnel in the prosecution and resolution of domestic violence cases. Researches and prepares legal briefs on criminal matters, including appeals. Represents the City to the specialty courts and other community and law enforcement groups, committees, and agencies, as assigned
The range of services routinely includes, but is not limited to, the following areas of municipal law: Public Records Act, Conflicts of Interest, Collection law - matters related to the collection of accounts receivable, Election law, Contracts, Real estate law and property transactions, Land use and environmental law - including land leasing, cell towers, and naming rights, Public Works contracting/public contracts/capital projects, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Labor negotiations, Code Enforcement, Tort liability and risk management, Fees, taxes, assessments, Water rights, Ordinances and resolutions, State of emergency declarations and powers, Municipal financing- bonding, enterprise funds, etc
Continuously update City ordinances, procedures, and practices documents as required by the City
Review and analyze local, state, and federal pending legislation, laws, and court decisions, providing updates to the City Attorney, Mayor, City Council, and City staff. Legal Staff will need to proactively propose modifications to City policies, ordinances, and plans
Review and approve staff reports, conduct preliminary research/analysis, and/or prepare ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents as required by the City
Represent the City in civil litigation brought on behalf of, or against, the City as necessary, at the Mayor and City Council's request
As directed by the City Attorney, recommend, manage, and monitor the performance of selected outside special counsel that is responsible for providing litigation or other special services. In the event of service lapses, the Assistant City Attorney may be required to provide the necessary services
Perform other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time
Qualification
Required
Must have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
Licensed and active member of the Idaho State Bar in good standing
Expertise in civil matters such as land use, public safety, risk management, contracts, and procurement law
At least 3 years of specialized knowledge and experience providing legal representation to local units of government
Knowledge of Idaho municipal civil and criminal law; court administration; current principles and applications of Idaho civil, criminal, and administrative law that impacts municipal corporation legal activities; Essential provisions and structure in contracts to minimize risk exposure and maximize protections of government interests; State and Federal court procedures and rules of evidence; interview techniques, methods and strategies used for case preparation; pleadings and effective practices and techniques in the presentation of court cases; principles, methods and techniques of legal research and investigation; principles and practices of legal communication methods; management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques
Skill in the art of diplomacy and cooperative problem solving; leadership and organizational behavior management; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with State, Federal, and other local officials, elected officials, and staff. Skill in the operation of a computer and software programs, including strong proficiency in Microsoft Office; the art of fostering a positive work environment and team-based culture free from hearsay and interpersonal conflicts that negatively impact morale, productivity, and overall success
Ability to be flexible and creative as the Legal Department progressively creates standard operating procedures and refines workflow management for the City's inaugural in-house Legal Department. Must be able to define and analyze complex legal issues and problems; communicate effectively verbally and in writing research and organize facts; perform legal risk-benefit analyses; evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly, logically and persuasively; exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters under pressure; interpret and explain state and federal law, regulations, legislation and constitutional provisions; develop sound litigation strategy and represent the City effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings; use a high degree of tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals; maintain confidentiality of sensitive and/or attorney-client privileged matters; determine long range needs for development of the department; display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of City employees, the general public and other organizations; complete assignments in a timely fashion; understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations; maintain prompt and regular attendance; perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation
All applicants must be able to successfully pass Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) and City of Nampa background check processes and drug testing, which may include reference checks, criminal history checks, driving record checks, and pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug tests
Preferred
5 or more years of experience in municipal leadership or governmental legal practice
Extensive experience or adeptness at preparing, drafting, negotiating, and reviewing a broad array of contracts and transactional work
Minimum 2 years' experience as a practicing attorney in the following areas of law or practice: Idaho procurement laws, Idaho Public Records Act, Idaho Open Meetings Law, Idaho Local Land Use and Planning Act, Government prosecution, Alcohol licensing, Law enforcement defense or similar constitutional issues, Eminent domain and condemnation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Employment law or similar human resource issues, Code Enforcement, Tort liability and risk management
Company
City of Nampa Human Resources
Local City Government
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageCompany data provided by crunchbase