City Attorney

PURPOSE OF THE CLASSIFICATION: Provides legal advice to and represents the City, and performs a variety of complex, high-level administrative, technical and professional duties in prosecuting crimes, conducting civil lawsuits, drawing up legal documents, advising City officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices and other phases of applicable local, state and federal law. ESSENTIAL TASKS: Manages and supervises the legal department of the City to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff, reviews progress and directs changes as needed. Maintains harmony among workers and resolves grievances. Performs or assists subordinates in performing duties; adjusts errors and complaints. Prepares significant and complex cases for trial and represents the City in adversarial proceedings before Municipal Court, District Court, Workers’ Compensation Commission, Court of Civil Appeals, Oklahoma Supreme Court, Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, the various United States Courts, state and federal, administrative agencies, boards and commissions, and at other hearings of concern to the City. Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range plans; gathers, interpret and prepares data for studies; reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other city departments and county, state and federal agencies as needed. Provides professional advice to the City Council, City Manager, and department heads; makes presentations to the City Council, trust authorities, board, commissions, civic groups and the public. Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepares annual budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budget funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time. Performs complex legal research and prepares legal opinions regarding diverse matters relating to all areas of city government for the City Manager, City departments, boards and public officials. Approves ordinances, resolutions and contracts as to legality and form; provides legal advice as to substance. Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc.; reviews documents prepared by other agencies, departments or parties. Drafts legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and reviews testimony in preparation for litigation. Attends City Council meetings to brief the Council regarding matters within the responsibility of the attorney. Communicates and establishes effective working relationships with other City employees, managers, citizens, the court systems, contractors, vendors, state and federal officials and agencies through personal contact, telephone and written correspondence on matters of interest to the City. Fosters and promotes an internal DNA for the City Attorney’s office that ensures cooperation, transparency, fiscal responsibility and service in the best interest of the City and its citizenry. Advises City officials of changes to state or federal laws affecting City operations. Acts as legal counsel to boards and commissions as assigned by the City Attorney. Gathers evidence in civil, criminal and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action’ conducts Operates office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, and phone systems, and uses computers for spreadsheet, word processing, database management, and other applications; learns to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented. Drafts legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and reviews testimony in preparation for litigation. Interprets laws, rulings and regulations for City officials and staff. Confers with colleagues to establish and verify basis for proceedings in specialized areas of the law; serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials. Prepares and submits to the City Council and City Manager such reports as may be required or as the City Attorney may deem advisable to submit. Performs other work as necessary and/or as assigned. Must report to work on a regular and timely basis. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The City Attorney reports directly to the City Council. The City Attorney supervises the Deputy and/or Assistant City Attorney, and the Paralegal. QUALIFICATIONS: Training and Experience: Graduation from an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate Degree and admission to practice law before the Oklahoma Supreme Court; ability to be admitted to practice before the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit within six (6) months of employment; experience as a practicing attorney. At least two (2) years’ experience in evaluation, preparation and litigation of civil and criminal matters before City, State and Federal Courts, and before City, State and Federal Administrative tribunals as an attorney. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Considerable knowledge of state and federal statutes relating to municipal affairs; considerable knowledge of laws relating to the purchase of goods and services, contracting, labor, employment, land use, environment and traffic; working knowledge of modern policies and practices of municipal law and public administration. Considerable knowledge and expertise in the area of state and federal constitutional law affecting city government and civil rights matters. Considerable knowledge of city ordinances and charter provisions particularly as relating to the authority and functions of city departments. Considerable knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence. Considerable knowledge of established common law and judicial precedents and experience indicating a proven ability to use various sources of legal references. At least two years’ experience in evaluation, preparation and litigation of civil and criminal matters before city, state and federal courts, and before city, state and federal administrative tribunals. Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents in the areas of contract, real property, employment, public works, public funding and other areas of municipal concern. Skill in operating the following tools and equipment: personal computer, including word processing programs; calculator; telephone; copy machine and fax machine. Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, City officials, the court system, the news media and the general public; ability to efficiently and effectively administer a municipal legal department. Skill in conducting traditional and computer-assisted research on complex legal problems. Ability to prepare and try cases before state and federal courts and administrative boards. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing and to read, analyze and understand complex written documents. Ability to react in a positive fashion to stressful situations, which develop from relationships with, elected officials. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. On a case-by-case basis, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, arm and hand steadiness and finger dexterity will be needed enough to use a key board and telephone. Occasional sitting and standing is required. Occasional lifting and carrying of objects upto twenty (20) pounds. Occasional reaching, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, twisting, handling and repetitive movements. Vision, speech, and hearing sufficient to perform essential tasks. Punctuality and reasonable attendance is essential. Must submit to drug screening and fitness to work physical exam. Licenses and Certificates: Possession of a valid Oklahoma Class D driver’s license is required. License to practice law in the State of Oklahoma and member in good standing with the OBA. Internal candidates must receive at least an "average" on each rating on the internal evaluation form. If the internal candidate received a written reprimand their application will not be considered for six (6) months. If the internal candidate received a suspension or demotion their application will not be considered for twelve (12) months. WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Work in this classification is primarily indoors in an office environment. Will travel to other City locations as required. WORK HOURS: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER #J-18808-Ljbffr