Deputy City Attorney III/IV

About the Position

Career Opportunity

The city of Las Vegas is accepting applications for a Deputy City Attorney III/IV in the specialized area of Real Estate and Redevelopment. This position provides legal counsel, representation, advice and interpretation for all civil or criminal concerns for assigned departments, depending on assignment. It also provides legal advice and counsel to anticipate, avoid or resolve potential or pending legal issues, disputes and litigation, and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the assigned Deputy City Attorney V, Assistant City Attorney and the City Attorney.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has a successful track record managing the complex legal aspects of real estate and redevelopment projects including areas of land use, zoning, environmental regulations, public-private partnerships, entitlements, construction, and financing. The ideal candidate effectively negotiates with multiple stakeholders and assesses complex legal and regulatory requirements. This individual is adaptable and is able to navigate challenging projects and acts as a strategic thought partner throughout various stages of project planning, real estate acquisitions, real estate dispositions and redevelopment projects.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This series contains levels from entry to first line supervisor. Each is distinguished by the level of complexity of assigned duties, the judgment and initiative required for the assigned duties; the expertise, accomplishment or specialization of a specific area of law; the level of supervision received; and the degree of knowledge required to satisfactorily carry out the assigned duties. Although flexibly staffed, some positions may not flex to the higher level. The Deputy City Attorney V is not flexibly staffed, and is the first line supervisory level.

Selection Process

The selection process will include a review of all applications with only the most qualified participating in an interview. Final candidate selection will include hiring interview (if applicable). Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and complete background check. Some positions may require preliminary background checks.

Note: this position may be filled as an employee or contract position at the City Attorney's discretion.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Supervision Received and Exercised

Deputy City Attorney III

Receives direction from the City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney and assigned Deputy City Attorney V, if applicable.
May exercise technical supervision over professional staff. Depending on assignment, acts as a lead worker, exercising functional or technical supervision, including scheduling and assigning tasks, providing guidance, ensuring work is completed according to proper procedure, monitoring work progress, and reviewing results.

Deputy City Attorney IV
Receives direction from the City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney and assigned Deputy City Attorney V.

Essential Functions:

1. Researches legal questions and evaluates the impact on city policies and procedures.
2. Appears in court and administrative proceedings to represent the city's interest as required.
3. Prosecutes actions in state and municipal court to abate public nuisances and collection of damages or debts regarding city property.
4. Represents the city at all public hearings in which the city is a party.
5. Conducts parking trials and appeals; initiates civil actions and collections of parking penalties and fines; accounts for all parking revenue which is City Attorney-generated.
6. Coordinates office activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations; provides staff assistance to the City Attorney; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
7. Reviews legal periodicals to keep abreast of current legal issues and cases; attends seminars to keep abreast of new laws and court decisions.
8. Responds to citizen inquiries regarding matters related to assigned duties.

When Assigned to the Civil Division:

1. Prosecutes for civil remedies to enforce city ordinances, abate public nuisances and recover for damages to city property; participates in negotiations of real estate transactions on behalf of the Redevelopment Agency; condemns property for public purpose and other matters.
2. Defends the city in the state and federal courts against liability claims for personal injury and death stemming from alleged torts and civil rights violations.
3. Assists with various negotiations, preparations and enforcement.

Marginal Functions:

1. Participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional groups and committees.
2. Assists in maintaining an orderly, adequately stocked and updated law library.
3. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Deputy City Attorney III

Experience:

A minimum of three years of responsible experience as a practicing attorney, including civil litigation experience or prosecutorial experience, depending on assignment available.

Training:

A Juris doctorate from an accredited law school.

License or Certificate:

Membership in the State Bar of Nevada, and maintenance thereafter.

License to practice before the District Court, Federal District Court of Nevada and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter depending on assignment.

Deputy City Attorney IV

Experience:

A minimum of four years of responsible experience as a practicing attorney, including prosecutorial experience or applicable specialized civil litigation experience, depending on assignment available.

Training:

A Juris doctorate from an accredited law school.

License or Certificate:

Membership in the State Bar of Nevada, and maintenance thereafter.

License to practice before the District Court, Federal District Court of Nevada and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter depending on assignment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Latest and complex principles and practices of public law.
Methods of pubic agency administration.
Legal principles, practices and procedures of civil, criminal, constitutional or administrative law, depending on assignment.
Common law of the state of Nevada, particulrly in the area of assignment.
Advanced methods and techniques of legal research, trial preparation, trial procedure and trial presentation.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations and their past applications.
The organization, duties, powers, authority, limitations, policies and procedures of both the City Attorney's Office in general and the assigned division in particular.
Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure, for assignment to the civil division.
Advanced trial techniques and advanced legal writing skills.
Identity and mechanics of available sentencing alternatives, for assignment to the criminal division.
Advanced techniques of negotiation and their appropriate use.
Principles of lead supervision, depending on assignment.

Skills in:

Properly interpreting and making decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
Organizing, interpreting and applying complex legal principles and specialized knowledge of legal issues.
Proficiently, innovatively and aggressively applying legal knowledge and skills in court.
Achieving resolutions and decisions in accordance with the proper interpretation of laws, regulations and policies.
Gaining cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
Preparing clear, concise, sound and complex legal position papers, briefs, memoranda and opinions.
Organizing, interpreting and applying legal principles and knowledge of complex legal issues.
Effectively preparing and presenting complex cases in court.
Conducting exhaustive research on complex legal issues.
Developing and negotiating acceptable solutions to cases when appropriate.
Interpreting, applying, explaining and enforcing applicable laws, codes, regulations and policies.
Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, recommending best options and implementing approved solution in support of goals.
Working effectively within a team environment.
Maintaining professional conduct at all times.
Setting and adjusting priorities in a rapidly changing environment.
Planning, organizing and prioritizing assignments.
Meeting critical deadlines.
Managing multiple assignments.
Communicating with individuals from a variety of social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds while demonstrating respect and sensitivity for perceived differences.
Producing written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Explaining complex technical systems in clear and simple terms understandable to non-technical staff.
Communicating concisely and clearly both orally and in writing.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Competencies:

Core Workforce Competencies

Professionalism - Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive.

Effective Communication - Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner.

Customer Focus - Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and/or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values.

Adaptability - Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.

Problem Solving - Solves problems by considering all causes, solutions and outcomes.

Productive Partnerships - Develops, maintains and strengthens partnerships with others.

Technical and Safety Expertise - Possesses a depth of knowledge, skill and ability in a technical (job) area.

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