City Attorney

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

First review of application and resume on May 17, 2024.

Job descriptions/specifications are intended to indicate the essential functions and levels of work difficulty of the position and are not intended to describe in detail all of the position's specific duties and responsibilities nor exclude other duties of similar level or difficulty.  Additionally, it is not intended to limit management's rights to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

DEFINITION

To plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the City Attorney's Office; to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general administrative direction from the Mayor and the City Council.

Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Essential functions are those functions that the individual who holds the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.)

1.   Serve as a representative of the City of Mesquite, demonstrating a positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with other employees and with the public.

2.   Serve as the chief legal officer of the City as defined in the City Charter, which includes prosecuting any violation of law occurring within the City of Mesquite that the NRS authorize a city to prosecute. 

3.   Assume full management responsibility for all City Attorney's Office services and activities including legal advice, prosecution, and documentation; recommend and administer policies and procedures.

4.   Manage the development and implementation of City Attorney's Office goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area.

5.   Validate the legal integrity of resolutions, ordinances, proposed contracts, bonds and financing papers, insurance policies and other documents prior to presentation to City Council, thereby mitigating legal risks.

6.   Monitor and control liability claims and lawsuits.

7.   Responsible in the negotiation of proposed union agreements.

8.   Coordinate and prepare ordinances, resolutions, deeds, pleadings, contracts, and other legal documents.

9.   Represent the City in lawsuits and administrative hearings.

10.  Appear before court and other administrative proceedings to represent the City's interest as required.

11.  Responsible for pursuing legal means to enforce City ordinances, abate public nuisances, recover for damages to City property, and condemn property for public purpose and other matters.

12.  Establish within City policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.

13.  Plan, direct and coordinate the City Attorney's Office work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.

14.  Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.

15.  Select, train, motivate, and evaluate City Attorney's Office personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.

16.  Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the City Attorney's Office budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.

17.  Develop City Attorney's Office programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.

18.  Represent the City Attorney's Office to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate City Attorney's Office activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.

19.  Oversee and direct the City's efforts to collect outstanding improvement district assessments, ambulance collections, traffic, and parking ticket monies and enforce judgments.

20.  Provide staff assistance to the Mayor, City Manager and City Council; participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

21.  Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.

22.  Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

23.  Be dependable and meet acceptable attendance requirements at all times.

24.  Follow all applicable safety rules and regulations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

A.      Protect confidential information by preventing unauthorized release, both verbal and/or in writing.

B.       Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The degree of knowledge and ability as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position.

Knowledge of:

• Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of City government and the City Attorney's office.

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive City Attorney's Office program.

• Rules and laws related to criminal prosecution.

• Courtroom procedure and criminal prosecution techniques.

• Management practices to analyze programs, policies and operational needs.

• Principles and practices of program development and administration.

• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a public legal office.

• Basic computer operation and functions.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff.

• Develop and enforce legal documents and contracts.

• Utilize the legal system to support City goals and objectives.

• Defend the City during court room proceedings.

• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.

• Delegate authority and responsibility.

• Lead and direct the operations, services and activities of the City Attorney's Office.

• Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns and needs.

• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.

• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

• Prepare and administer budget.

• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.

• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Work non-standard hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays.

Experience, Education, and Training:

Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience which provides the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:       Graduation from an ABA accredited college or university with a degree in law.

Experience:     Five years of increasingly responsible experience in city or related government law, including trial experience, and two years of administrative or supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate: Membership in good standing with the State Bar of Nevada and Must possess at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483.

Competencies:

Strategic Thinking

• Effective performers act with the future in mind.  They plan and make decisions within the framework of the City's strategic intent.  They know and understand the factors influencing strategy (e.g., core competence, customers, and the organization's current strengths and limitations).  They consider future impact when weighing decisions.  They constantly think in terms of continuously improving City services.

Visioning

• Effective performers are imaginative.  They are able to create a vision of a preferred future for their teams.  They communicate it clearly and enthusiastically in such a way that others are attracted to it.  They are able to bring the vision to life for team members.

Diplomacy

• Effective performers work well within the City's power network.  They are perceptive to social cues in the environment.  They recognize personal agendas.  They are skilled at handling situations without arousing hostility and are able to navigate the political water of the City.  They forge coalitions and know how to stay viable within the system.

Business Thinking

• Effective performers see the City as a series of integrated and interlocking business processes.  They understand general business concepts that govern these systems and their interfaces.  They create and/or realign these systems in response to changing needs.  They understand that a change in one process can have dramatic and unintended impact across the entire City.  They are adept at using these interdependencies to synergistic advantage.

Risk-Taking

• Effective performers have a history of and propensity for taking calculated changes to achieve goals. They find a balance between analysis and action.  When they fail, they accept it, learn from it, and move on to the next challenge.

Financial Acumen

• Effective performers understand the financial framework of the City.  They establish and monitor appropriate financial measures (e.g., balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, etc.). They interpret and use financial data to make informed business decisions.

Presentation Skills

• Effective performers are able to organize and deliver public speeches that effectively inform or persuade audiences.  They are adept at using current presentation technologies and media formats.  They are able to field audience questions comfortably and confidently.

Assertiveness

• Effective performers readily offer opinions and take action even when their position may be unpopular.  They are willing to challenge others appropriately when required.  They are self-confident - they trust their own judgment and are not overly dependent upon the approval of others.

Global mindset

• Effective performers see the City's business in a global context.  They look beyond their own borders for opportunities for continuous improvement.

Leader Identification

• Effective performers identify with the role of leader and enjoy positions of responsibility and the exercise of authority.  They understand that management is a distinct vocation and choose to be in a leadership position.

Professionalism

• Effective performers model core values by being honest, respectful, and positive; continuously demonstrates the core values of the City; supervisory actions are collaborative whenever possible and intended to grow the City's capacity at an individual, unit, division and/or department level.

Managing Performance

• Effective performers take responsibility for own and assigned employees' performance, by setting clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against the goals, ensuring regular feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.

Decisiveness

• Effective performers make difficult decisions in a timely manner.

Developing and Empowering Others

• Effective performers delegate responsibility and coach assigned employees to develop their capabilities.

Facilitating Partnerships

• Effective performers build community partnerships both inside and outside the organization.

Forward Thinking- Effective performers anticipate the consequences of situations and decisions; take appropriate action to be prepared for possible changes.

Providing Support

• Effective performers provide the tools and create a supportive environment that allows others to successfully complete their work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed under the following conditions:

Work is performed in an office setting.   Subject to high levels of stress.

Physical Requirements:

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; occasional stooping, twisting, bending, kneeling, and reaching; vision to read printed materials and a VDT screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.  Must be able to attend off-site/out of town training, be able to handle stressful situations and carry/lift/push or pull loads of up to 25lbs.

Job Hazards/Risk Factors:

Employee may risk physical hazard from angry, unstable, violent, and highly volatile citizens and the risk of civil litigation due to performance of duties.

Department:  City Attorney

Division:  City Attorney

Classification/Grade: M5

Wage Assignment:  Appointed

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Bargaining Unit:  Not Represented

EEO 4 Category:  b- Professional

JD#:  70000

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to supply copies (proof) of all required documentation and verification of education and any other stated requirements of the position.  City of Mesquite Human Resources will only accept degrees or credits earned from a college or university accredited by an official agency recognized by the US Department of Education.  A listing of accredited universities is available at: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.

PROVIDE COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR COMPLETE APPLICATION:

• Letter of interest/Cover Letter

• Resume

• A resume is required in addition to the completed employment application. Applications submitted without a copy of the candidate's resume are incomplete and will not be considered.

• Copy of Bachelors with a Juris Doctor (JD) or transcripts.

• Copies any relevant certificates, licenses or awards i.e. NV Bar Certificate

Selection Process:

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The Human Resources Department must receive the completed City employment application and all required documentation by the closing date and time listed on the announcement. The employment application must be accessed through our website, www.mesquitenv.gov or https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mesquitenv and submitted electronically following the online links.  Applicants must complete the employment application in its entirety to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed employment application.  Decisions on an applicant's qualifications for the above position will be made solely on the materials submitted at the time of application.

The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  It is the responsibility of the candidate requiring accommodation to contact the Human Resources Department in writing prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you are invited to participate in the assessment process, you will be required to self-schedule through the City of Mesquite on-line application system. Please check your email on a regular basis after submitting your application for complete instructions, which include where and when to report.

Appointment is subject to the successful completion of a post offer pre-employment background investigation. The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards.

Note:  E-mail communications will be sent from senders with the extension:  @mesquitenv.gov you may need to adjust your spam blocker to ensure that you receive email notifications from the City of Mesquite.

Failure to satisfactorily demonstrate that the requirements of the posted position have been FULLY met will result in disqualification.

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

First review of application and resume on May 17, 2024.

The City of Mesquite is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals.  The City of Mesquite encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.?