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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity AttorneyUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: City Attorney Department: City Attorney’s Office Division: City Attorney’s Office Supervisor: City Council FLSA: Exempt Civil Service: No Pay Grade: N/A Job Number: 7003 Job Summary Provides legal oversight and direction for the city. Functions as the legal advisor to the City Council, City staff and most City 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. • Serves as legal advisor and provides advice and recommendations to the City Council, City Manager, department directors and staff and City boards and commissions; renders oral and written opinions. • Attends City Council meetings and provides legal advice and opinion during regular, special, and executive sessions. • Represents the City in litigation, administrative, state, and federal district courts and state and federal appellate courts; represents the City in legal matters, brings suits on behalf of the City and defends the City in suits brought against it. • Researches and drafts ordinances, resolutions and other documents for review and action by the City Council; prepares contracts, leases and other legal documents; reviews and signs off on documents prepared by other City staff. • Hires, trains, and provides work direction to legal staff; supervises the work performed by staff, monitors the performance of legal work by outside counsel; assists outside counsel where appropriate. • Oversees litigation proceedings including evaluation, investigation, analysis, research, discovery, settlement, pre-trial motions, trials and post-trial motions and appeals. • Provides advice and makes recommendations to City Council on litigation strategy, evaluates and makes recommendations on potential settlements. • Prepares and monitors departmental budget. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Juris Doctorate from an accredited educational institution and five years of related experience. Experience in municipal law practice or general practice with significant exposure to municipal law. • Valid Iowa law license and admission to Iowa Bar to practice in Iowa courts required. Must pass criminal background check. Must reside in the municipal limits of the City of Iowa City. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Juris Doctorate from an accredited educational institution and ten years of related 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 communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language. • 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 prioritize work assignments and complete assignments within the designated deadlines. • Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and the public. • 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 organize, interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex legal issues. • Ability to plan and supervise the work of a professional staff. Ability to gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion. • Ability to read complex materials, conduct legal research, analyze legal questions, and effectively explain conclusions. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. • Ability to supervise the preparation and trial of cases and to present material clearly and logically in oral and written form. • Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions. • Knowledge at advanced level of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. • Knowledge at advanced level of federal, state, and municipal law. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Knowledge at advanced level of judicial procedure and rules of evidence. • Knowledge at advanced level of legal practices and procedures. • Knowledge at advanced level of the principles of legal writing and report preparation. • Knowledge at advanced level of the principles, practices, methods, materials, and references utilized in legal research. • Skill in communicating concisely and clearly both orally and in writing. • Skill in drafting and editing legal documents, ordinances, and litigation materials. • Skill in preparing clear and concise legal position papers and presenting persuasive arguments. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook) and proficiency with changing technology. Supervision Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include supervising subordinate supervisors and direct reports including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; writing and delivering performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and terminating employees. 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. 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. Ability to transport self from building to building and to attend various court functions and meetings at other sites either within or outside City Hall. 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 Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) 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 ________________________________ __________________