HomeMy WebLinkAboutAssistant City AttorneyUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Assistant City Attorney
Department: City Attorney’s Office
Division: City Attorney’s Office
Supervisor: City Attorney
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: No
Pay Grade: 29
Job Number: 2902
Job Summary
Under general supervision from City Attorney, provides legal services to City Council, staff,
boards and commissions.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Represents the City Council, boards, commissions and departments in litigation,
administrative, state and federal district courts and state and federal appellate courts.
• Prepares written and oral arguments, case presentation including fact investigations,
discovery, depositions, witness preparation, legal research, briefing and attendance at
hearings.
• Provides counsel to City departments regarding compliance and legal options,
performing services in person and by written legal opinion.
• Performs legal research, fact investigations, clear communications, and explanation of
conclusions.
• Identifies and resolves legal and procedural matters related to resolutions, ordinances,
and procedures.
• Drafts, edits, and revises City documents, resolutions, ordinances and contracts, real
estate documents, leases, agreements, easements, and eminent domain items, and legal
documents.
• Consults and advises human resources on employment matters, grievances, decisions,
and policies.
• Reviews and edits assigned areas for agenda.
• Researches legal issues for department staff.
• Attends meetings of assigned boards and commissions and interdepartmental meetings.
• Attends City Council meetings upon request.
• Prosecutes City simple misdemeanors and criminal trial prosecution.
• Communicates with the public, attorneys, and others to identify and resolve legal issues.
• Reviews and responds to open records requests.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited educational institution.
• Valid Iowa law license and admission to Iowa Bar to practice in Iowa courts. Must pass
criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited educational institution and three years of related
experience. Litigation experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual
and practical problems.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
proportions, percentages.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical
notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.
• Ability to efficiently multitask and prioritize work assignments and complete
assignments within the designated time deadlines.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or
complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors,
commissions, or elected officials.
• Ability to read complex materials, conduct legal research, analyze legal questions, and to
effectively explain conclusions.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaint, skill in
responding to customer needs.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws; federal and state court practice; and
municipal organization and operation.
• Skill in drafting and editing legal documents, ordinances, and litigation materials.
• Skill in organizing and presenting persuasive arguments.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook) and proficiency with changing technology.
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The
employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to
adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Eric Goers, City Attorney (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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