Job title: Deputy city attorney I-II

Summary:

Under the supervision of the Chief Assistant City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney, performs a wide variety of professional and legal duties in providing services for City departments, City Council, and various boards and commissions; conducts legal research and prepares opinions, memoranda, contracts, ordinances, and other legal documents; and advises City departments, boards, and commissions.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Deputy city attorney I

This is an entry level class in the Attorney series. Positions in this classification perform less difficult tasks and receive on-the-job training in the performance of more complex duties. Incumbents may advance to the higher-level class after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency to meet the qualifications for the Deputy City Attorney II classification.

Deputy city attorney II

This is the journey level class in the Attorney series. This class is distinguished from that of Deputy City Attorney I by performance of the full range of professional legal duties, by the greater complexity of the assignments received, and by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Appointment to the II level requires that the incumbent perform some of the more difficult and complex professional legal tasks involving a wide variety of municipal legal subjects with only occasional instruction or assistance.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Consults with and provides legal advice to City officials and staff on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions, and obligations in various departments of the City.
Reviews staff reports and advises staff on complex and controversial legal matters.
Prepares, drafts, and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances and other legal documents and instruments.
Researches, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, statutes, ordinances and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of legal opinions and briefs.
Interprets and furnishes information regarding City ordinances, Charter provisions, and State codes.
Answers complaints; prepares cases for administrative hearings and represents the City in such hearings by studying evidence, interviewing witnesses, and presenting cases in court and in administrative hearings.
Supports the review of liability claims and complaints by or against the City and recommends action to be taken.