Assistant City Attorney II

The Assistant City Attorney II is a part of a dynamic legal team in the prosecution division!

The City of Yakima is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefit package including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage including
• FREE healthcare clinic!
• WA State PERS pension plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals
• Much more!

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
** A COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION
** COVER LETTER: Including your interest & how you meet the requirements
** A RESUME (This does NOT take the place of your application)
** A Professional Writing sample
** 3 Professional References
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Doctor of Jurisprudence or equivalent from recognized school of law and three years (3) of criminal prosecution experience. Experience in domestic violence cases preferred. Must be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.

Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is a condition of appointment.

Job Summary: This is a position in the prosecution division. Under the direction of the City Attorney, the incumbent performs with a high level of expertise a variety of complex and specialized legal functions for the City Council, City Manager, and departments or divisions within the City; provides with minimal supervision legal counsel and expertise to City officials; represents the City in civil and criminal litigation, negotiation, and other legal proceedings.

Essential Functions: Any single position in this classification will not usually involve all the duties listed and many positions will involve duties which are not listed.

*
Provide legal services to the City's Police Department, including training police officers on and developing departmental policies/procedures concerning criminal records, warrants, charges, arrests, and other police activities.

• Screen criminal complaints, appear at arraignments and other pretrial hearings; conduct necessary interviews and investigations to gather information required for criminal prosecutions; research, study, and interpret laws, court decisions, and other legal precedents required for criminal prosecutions; draft motions, trial and appellate briefs; and represent the City in bench and jury trials, contested hearings, and criminal appeals.
• Advise City Council and City departments on labor and employment law including personnel policies, employee discipline, workers compensation law, accommodation of disabilities and other protected classes; draft or review collective bargaining agreements, personnel ordinances, personnel policies, and civil service rules; represent the City in related negotiations, arbitrations/grievances, and/or litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments on various aspects of public works construction, including bid and procurement law, construction lien law, and building code law; draft or review related contracts and ordinances; represent the City in corresponding arbitration and/or litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments on environmental and land use law issues, including annexation, zoning, and environmental assessment/cleanup; draft or review related ordinances; represent the City in corresponding negotiations, hearings, and/or litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments concerning lease, acquisition or transfer of real property interests; review or draft corresponding real property documents, including leases, purchase and sale agreements, easements, right of ways, real estate contracts, and deeds of trust; represent the City in related negotiations and/or litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments on all aspects of local government budget and finance matters including constraints of state and federal law, state constitution and local charter, assessments for local improvements, rebates and credits for development fees and, charges and taxes; draft or review related ordinances, requests for proposals, and contracts for goods and services; represent the City in corresponding negotiations and/or litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments on shared services or functions with state and local government entities, including division of assets by annexation, joint public ventures for construction or financing of public works; review or draft corresponding agreements; represent the City in related negotiations, hearings, and/or litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments regarding utility franchises and public access television station; negotiate franchise agreements; arrange franchise elections; draft or review public access television station policies and procedures, including extensive and complex constitutional issues; represent the City in corresponding litigation.
• Advise City Council and City departments regarding personal injury and property damage claims or litigation brought against the City; investigation and evaluation said claims or litigation; represent the City in corresponding negotiations, arbitration, and/or litigation.
• Attend and provide necessary legal advice at Police Civil Service Commission, Fire Civil Service Commission, Charter Civil Service Commission, Police Pension Board, Firefighter's Pension Board, and other commission/board meetings and hearings; represent said boards or commissions in related litigation.

The Assistant City Attorney II classification is the highest classification in this job series and is distinguished from the Assistant City Attorney I classification in that the incumbent exercises considerable discretion and has more expertise and independent authority than the Assistant City Attorney I.

The Assistant City Attorney II classification is distinguished from the higher City Attorney classification in that the City Attorney performs at the department level and is responsible for the overall supervision and administration of the City Legal Department.

Supervision Received: This classification works with a high level of independence and expertise commensurate with experience and receives only limited supervision from the City Attorney and/or the City Prosecutor.

Supervision Exercised: Supervision is not a normal responsibility of this classification, however, incumbents may assign day-to-day work to support staff.

Major Worker Characteristics: Knowledge of:

*
Methods and practices of legal research and the sources and availability of materials and information.

• Preparation and review of complex legal documents and instruments involving substantial impact on City operations.
• Legal procedures used before a variety of courts, boards, commissions, and administrative agencies.
• Principles and practices of civil and criminal law.
• Constitutional provisions, local ordinances, and operations.
• Municipal government structure, operations, and jurisdiction.
• Case preparation and litigation techniques.
• Organization and analysis of case facts and legal precedents.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Oral and written communications skills.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Technical aspects of field and specialty.
• City organization, operations, policies, and objectives.
• Negotiation/mediation skills and techniques.

Ability to:

*
Participate in difficult deliberative proceedings and render effective legal counsel.

• Provide professional legal services to a specialized area of City government.
• Prepare comprehensive legal opinions.
• Perform complex legal research utilizing appropriate sources and materials.
• Draft and review legal documents and instruments of major impact on City operations.
• Represent the City in administrative hearings and state, federal, and municipal court proceedings.
• Organize and evaluate case facts, evidence, and other documentation.
• Analyze and interpret case law and legal precedents.
• Prepare, draft, and review a variety of legal documents and instruments.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Work independently with little direction.

*
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: *
Work is performed primarily in an office environment under pressure and requires the ability to quickly adjust to priorities and demands. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

*
UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: *
Frequent contact with the public who may be angry or upset. Occasional extension of work day to meet deadlines.

Location: 200 S. 3rd Street Yakima,Washington, Yakima, WA 98901

Job Type: Full-time