JOB OPENING City of Farmington JOB POSITION Deputy City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney
DOQ Number of Vacancies: 1 Department: Legal PAY CLASS Deputy City Attorney- P SALARY RANGE $75,191 - $116,906 Annual Assistant City Attorney O SALARY RANGE $67,875 - $105,552 Annual
WORK LOCATION City Hall TYPE OF POSITION Regular Full-Time DAYS WORKED Monday - Friday HOURS WORKED 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGH Until Filled Resumes submitted without a City of Farmington application will not be considered in our job selection process.
JOB DUTIES Deputy City Attorney
Works under the supervision of the City Attorney. Acts in place of and assumes the duties of the City Attorney as directed by the City Attorney and in the absence of the City Attorney. As directed by the City Attorney supervises and directs work of the City Attorneys Office support staff and Assistant City Attorneys. Either directly or by directing the work of the Assistant City Attorneys prosecutes the laws and ordinances of the city in municipal district and appellate courts. Under the general direction of the City Attorney directs and advises the Claims Manager in managing claims on behalf of and against the city. Prosecutes and defends legal actions on behalf of the city. Represents the city in court proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and governmental administrative proceedings. Attends City Council meetings and other city board and commission meetings, offers advice as necessary. Provides legal advice to city department heads, division heads, and other city employees in regard to their official duties and responsibilities. Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, deeds, easements, agreements, and other legal documents for the City Council, Mayor, City Manager, and other city officials. Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.
Assistant City Attorney
Performs a variety of complex, high-level administrative, technical, and professional work in prosecuting crimes, conducting civil lawsuits, drawing up legal documents, advising city officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices, and other phases of applicable local, state, and federal law. Works under the supervision of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney. Directs work load of legal secretary and other support staff. Provides professional advice to the City Council and department heads, makes presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public. Prosecutes violations of City ordinances in Municipal Court, prepares Municipal Court cases for trial, and advises police officers and other enforcement personnel. Assists department directors to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed. Through the City Attorney advises the City Council of legal conditions and current and future trends, issues, and legal opinions. Attends all meetings of the Council or administration at which attendance may be required. Attends meetings of other public bodies or agencies when directed. Approves ordinances, resolutions, and contracts as to legal form, provides legal advice as to substance. Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc., reviews documents prepared by other agencies or parties. Advises City officials of changes to state or federal laws affecting city operations. Gathers evidence in civil, criminal, and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action. Conducts research, interviews City staff and witnesses, and handles other details in preparation for trial. Prepares legal pleadings, motions, and briefs, develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of case. Files documents with court. Represents City in state and federal courts and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government. Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for City officials and staff. Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings, serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials on specialized legal issues. Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES Recommends for adoption by the Council such measures that may be necessary or expedient. Prepares and submits to the Council such reports and opinions as may be required by that body or as the City Attorney may deem it advisable to submit. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS This position is subject to the Citys Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy, which includes pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law. A license to practice law in New Mexico, in good standing of the state Supreme Court, and the New Mexico Bar Association. Valid New Mexico drivers license is required or ability to obtain one upon being hired. At least ten years of experience in the practice of law, at least five years of which has been in the state of New Mexico. At least two years of experience as a full-time municipal attorney preferred. Comprehensive knowledge of state statutes concerning municipal affairs, including laws regulating municipal government, public procurement, public employment, land use, utilities, and traffic laws. Demonstrated skills in performing legal research, drafting briefs, and other legal pleadings, and making legal arguments. Ability to read, comprehend, edit, revise, and advise others as to the meaning of complex legal documents, contracts, agreements, deeds, easements, court decisions, and legal opinions. Ability to appear before and make presentations to councils, boards, and commissions, and other administrative agencies. Ability to manage, supervise, motivate, and evaluate attorneys and legal support staff. Ability to operate tools and equipment as needed to perform job duties.
JOB DUTIES Assistant City Attorney
Performs a variety of complex, high-level administrative, technical, and professional work in prosecuting crimes, conducting civil lawsuits, drawing up legal documents, advising city officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices, and other phases of applicable local, state, and federal law. Works under the supervision of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney. Directs work load of legal secretary and other support staff. Provides professional advice to the City Council and department heads, makes presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public. Prosecutes violations of City ordinances in Municipal Court, prepares Municipal Court cases for trial, and advises police officers and other enforcement personnel. Assists department directors to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed. Through the City Attorney advises the City Council of legal conditions and current and future trends, issues, and legal opinions. Attends all meetings of the Council or administration at which attendance may be required. Attends meetings of other public bodies or agencies when directed. Approves ordinances, resolutions, and contracts as to legal form, provides legal advice as to substance. Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc., reviews documents prepared by other agencies or parties. Advises City officials of changes to state or federal laws affecting city operations. Gathers evidence in civil, criminal, and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action. Conducts research, interviews City staff and witnesses, and handles other details in preparation for trial. Prepares legal pleadings, motions, and briefs, develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of case. Files documents with court. Represents City in state and federal courts and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government. Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for City officials and staff. Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings, serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials on specialized legal issues. Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES Recommends for adoption by the Council such measures that may be necessary or expedient. Prepares and submits to the Council such reports and opinions as may be required by that body or as the City Attorney may deem it advisable to submit. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS This position is subject to the Citys Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy, which includes pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law. A license to practice law in New Mexico, in good standing of the state Supreme Court, and the New Mexico Bar Association. Valid New Mexico drivers license is required or ability to obtain one upon being hired. At least ten years of experience in the practice of law, at least five years of which has been in the state of New Mexico. At least two years of experience as a full-time municipal attorney preferred. Comprehensive knowledge of state statutes concerning municipal affairs, including laws regulating municipal government, public procurement, public employment, land use, utilities, and traffic laws. Demonstrated skills in performing legal research, drafting briefs, and other legal pleadings, and making legal arguments. Ability to read, comprehend, edit, revise, and advise others as to the meaning of complex legal documents, contracts, agreements, deeds, easements, court decisions, and legal opinions. Ability to appear before and make presentations to councils, boards, and commissions, and other administrative agencies. Ability to manage, supervise, motivate, and evaluate attorneys and legal support staff. Ability to operate tools and equipment as needed to perform job duties.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative