Assistant City Attorney II - Law

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Job Description:

Assistant City Attorney II

Purpose:

Under the direction of the City Attorney, this position provides legal services to and on behalf of the City.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Legal Advice: With general oversight, provides legal advice primarily to mid-level and senior-level City management on routine and some complex issues with primarily low political or financial impact. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.

• Legal Research: With minimal supervision, performs research on complex legal issues with low or moderate political or financial impact. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.

• Legal Writing: With minimal supervision, prepares legal documents on routine and moderately complex matters. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.

• Legal Advocacy: Under general supervision, acts as a lead or supporting representative of the City in internal or external legal matters with low or moderate political/ financial impact. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Must be capable of performing the essential duties, functions, and responsibilities of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Must possess and be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to meet Law Department standards as required for the particular job assignment in the following areas:

  • Knowledge of substantive laws applicable to Texas local governments.

  • Knowledge of the City of Austin Charter, Code, and administrative policies and procedures.

  • Knowledge of relevant court procedures and rules of evidence.

  • Ability to communicate and present analysis and information both orally and in writing in a clear and effective manner.

  • Ability to conduct thorough and accurate legal and factual research relevant to the job assignment.

  • Ability to analyze and problem solve in a timely fashion on legal issues relevant to the job assignment.

Must possess and demonstrate the following work habits and behaviors:        

• Proficiency in use of Departmental computer systems and technology.

• Effective law office organizational skills.

• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, schedule interruptions, and shifting time deadlines.

• Ability to conform to Departmental administrative procedures and requirements.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited school of law.

• Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

• Three (3) full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• License to practice law issued by the State Bar of Texas.

Notes to Candidate:

This position requires a cover letter and résumé. Please upload your documents for consideration. 

Salary: Commensurate

Come work for a governmental entity that cares about human rights and is on the forefront of current issues. You can help make a difference in the daily lives of people living in the Austin community.

The mission of the Law Department is to provide quality legal services to the City of Austin so that it can govern lawfully with the highest level of integrity and serve the community effectively. As the chief legal advisor for the City, the Law Department provides legal advice and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City Officers, City Manager, city departments, boards, and commissions of the City.

The Law Department is looking for energetic and self-motivated individuals who are licensed to practice law in Texas and are in good standing with the Texas State Bar. We have a full-time attorney position available in the Criminal Prosecution Division of the City of Austin Law Department.

Attorneys directly interface with the client, conduct legal research, prepare legal documents, appear in court at all levels and attend meetings of the governing body.

Division Overview.
The Criminal Prosecution Division prosecutes Class C misdemeanors pursuant to state laws and city ordinances. The attorneys in this division practice before the City of Austin Municipal Court and cover an average of 60 dockets per week including jury trials, bench trials, and pre-trial motion hearings. Prosecutors pursue approximately 430,000 cases a year submitted by City of Austin departments including Police, Code Compliance, Development Services, Water, Animal Services, Fire, and Health.

The City Attorneys’ Office is committed to providing excellent, timely, and cost-effective legal advice to our clients to support their efforts to serve the citizens of Austin. The Law Department is organized into seven legal practice divisions. Although the department’s attorneys are assigned to practice in a specific division, they are trained to have a general knowledge of municipal law practice because many legal issues cross practice areas. The Law Department has a diverse staff of talented professionals with the expertise to provide comprehensive legal services for the wide variety of legal issues facing our city.

Professional Growth and Development
Achieve your professional goals. The Law Department offers opportunities to advance within our Attorney and Paralegal career ladder, as well as a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Work-Life Balance
Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a city renowned for its quality of life, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

Hybrid Work Environment:

The City of Austin Flexible Work Arrangement Program is designed to empower employees and leaders to establish hybrid work arrangements that promote high levels of performance and engagement. Staff may be eligible to telework up to 60%/week. Work schedules are implemented to meet department requirements and are subject to change based on business needs.

In addition to helping the City operate at its highest potential, working with the City of Austin provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities, and more! Click HERE for more information.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.

• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.

• A resume is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application.

• Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application.

• Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank.

• These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Please include contact information from previous employers.

If you are selected for hire:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees) is required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization or institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.

• If you are in the military or are a military veteran, you will need to provide a copy of the Member 4 page of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.