City Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

City Attorney

Section I: Brief Summary of the Job.
Under the supervision of the City Administrator, the City Attorney is an exempt position under FLSA. This employee is a member of the City's Leadership Team and is responsible for providing comprehensive legal services, representing the City in lawsuits, drafting ordinance violations and contracts as well as legal opinions. This employee acts as the Chief Legal Officer for the City, supervising the City Clerk and overseeing compliance with the Kansas Open Records Act and Kansas Open Meetings Act, and providing legal counsel to City Officials and Staff to ensure proper management of municipal risks and compliance with local, state and federal laws. This employee is responsible for reviewing and interpreting City Code and providing opinions to staff regarding land use, zoning, labor and employment relations matters, insurance or risk legal liability, etc. Responsibilities also include overseeing Community Services. The City Attorney does not perform prosecutorial, public defender or judicial services. The City Attorney oversees bond counsel but does not provides bond counsel or public financing services. This employee should possess a comprehensive knowledge of municipal law, excellent communication, organizational, project management, research, case management and public relations skills.

Section II: Essential Duties of the Job.

• Provides leadership, management and direction to the Mayor, City Council and City Staff on all components of municipal law and legal matters relating to City operations;
• Prepares and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, easements, bonds, and other legal documents;
• Represents the City, or supervises outside counsel, in civil litigation, lawsuits, administrative, tort and eminent domain proceedings;
• Manages legal risks and overseas outside counsel when specialized legal services are required, such as retained litigation counsel, bond counsel, and municipal court officers;
• When applicable, leads, supervises and evaluates personnel towards the improvement of programs, processes and procedures to increase efficiency, effectiveness and productivity;
• Drafts, negotiates, and reviews legal contracts with outside vendors and contractors;
• Monitors changes in laws and ensures the City policies remain current and develop strategies to minimize legal liabilities;
• Manages legal aspects of property acquisitions, easements, public works and engineering projects;
• Provides direct supervision and oversight of the City Clerk and Community Services Department;
• Responsible for the training, development and utilization of department personnel when applicable, including regular training on City policies such as EEO policies;
• Reviews and approves department invoices and statements for line item budget accounting within the City Attorney's department;
• Responsible for short and long-range planning goals of the City Attorney's department;
• Attends all City Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings, as well as any other committee or board as requested by the City Administrator, providing legal advice and serving as parliamentarian;
• Assists FOIA officer in responding to KORA requests;
• Enforces department policies, procedures, safety procedures and practices;
• Effectively communicates to elected and appointed officials, citizens and other interested parties while keeping the City Administrator informed of departmental activities, project status and any other relevant matters.

Duties, responsibilities, scheduling, shift assignments and work location, may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.

Section III: Education, Formal Training and/or Certifications.

• Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association required
• Member of the State of Kansas Bar association in good standing required
• Valid driver's license is required

Section IV: Experience.
Five years experience with substantial background in municipal, public or local government law required

Section V: Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
A thorough knowledge of the legal profession principles and practices as applied to municipal, public or local government law. Proficiency in land use, zoning, employment law, public finance and constitutional law. Able to acquire a thorough knowledge of City policies and procedures. Strong legal research, analytical skills, drafting ability, negotiation and communication skills. Capable of supervising employees within own department and providing training to employees City-wide. This employee should be able to operate computers, printers, photocopiers, desk and cell phones, and other office equipment. The ability to advocate, negotiate, understand and anticipate problems, to develop and enforce policies and budgets, to interpret data and develop concepts to explain findings, and to read and interpret written documents, federal, state, and local environmental regulations and reports is required. This employee should possess excellent supervisory skills, organizational, management, oral and written communication skills. Proven leader; relationship builder with a collaborative approach, relatable communicator with a strong ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences and superior listening skills. The City Attorney must be able to professionally and effectively communicate with citizens and elected officials.

Technical Skills: This employee should possess a thorough knowledge of the legal field, excellent analytical, research, public relation, organizational , oral and written communication skills.

Intellectual Aptitude: A major factor in this position is the ability to read and comprehend city, state and federal regulations and laws. Ability to work on several projects at once while demonstrating diplomacy and judgement along with excellent organizational skills.

Problem Solving: Independent problem solving is a major factor in this position. This employee encounters personnel issues, citizen complaints, deadlines and shifting priorities.

Decision Making: Independent decision making is a major factor in this position. This employee makes decisions about resolving technical legal issues and complaints, prioritizing work assignments and performing daily duties in the most efficient manner.

Supervision: This employee is subject to daily supervision from the City Administrator with occasional supervision from the Mayor or City Council and exercises frequent supervision over subordinate personnel (if applicable).

Financial Accountability: This employee is responsible for department equipment and resources, does have authority to purchase necessary department equipment and supplies, and does participate in the annual budget process.

Personal Relations: Daily contact with co-workers, subordinate personnel and the City Administrator, along with occasional contact with the organization's Governing Body and citizens.

Section VI: Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to be attentive for extended periods of time while needing to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; or smell. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to travel and tour City projects in adverse conditions to include but not limited to accident sites, construction sites, outdoor sites, remote sites, etc.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to usually a moderate to low noise level environment. The work setting and noise level is typical of most office environments; minimal travel may be required to other City facilities, attend offsite meetings and conferences. Occasional work outside standard business hours. All City employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency.

Compensation details: 136406.4-213616 Hourly Wage

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