Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council. Under policy direction, acts as legal advisor to the City Council, City Administrative Staff, and various boards and commissions of the City; represents the City in litigation; directs the City's legal services; and to do related work as required. This classification is assigned to the non-competitive services and is an exempt management position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Renders legal opinions to the City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads as requested
• Analyzes legislation affecting the City
• Prepares legislation, contracts, agreements and other legal documents
• Reviews the legality or sufficiency of contracts, bonds, bids, leases, insurance, and claims
• Attends meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, and various committees and boards as required and renders legal advice on matters on the agenda
• Represents the City in law suits and administrative hearings
• Prosecutes criminal violators of City laws and civil remedies to abate public nuisance, recover for damages to City property, condemns private property for public purposes and other matters
• Supervises and reviews the work of legal and secretarial staff
• Researches, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Of:

• Organizations, duties, powers, limitations and authority of City government and the City Attorney's office.
• California codes and principles of administration and constitutional law
• Methods of legal research
• Purposes and functions of governmental agencies, boards, commissions and other governmental bodies

Ability To:

• Perform legal research
• Evaluate facts and interpret the law in individual cases
• Investigate and prosecute civil complaints
• Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems
• Present laws, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Supervise legal and clerical staff and establish effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Three years of experience in the practice of law for a governmental jurisdiction, preferably a municipality.

Education:

Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Admission to the Bar of the State of California and ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: See well enough to operate vehicles and equipment, read instructions and follow directions; hear well enough to distinguish mechanical noises, to converse on the radio, telephone and in person; use of hands and fingers for writing, typing, and other computer related functions; and be able to lift equipment as necessary.