Deputy City Attorney

Nature of Work

Plans, coordinates, and manages operations, functions, activities, staff and legal issues in the City Attorney's Office to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

Work Situation Factors:

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Physical Factors:

Light physical demands; mostly desk work. Frequent to constant use of a personal computer.

Environmental Factors:

Work is performed in a standard office environment.

First consideration may be given to current City of Las Cruces employees who fully meet the minimum requirements.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

This position is graded AD34.

Duties and Responsibilities

* Assures that civil and criminal actions are resolved within established guidelines; advises the City Attorney on operational and legal issues; assumes operational functions of the City Attorney in his/her absence; anticipates and evaluates issues and recommends and implements solutions to safeguard City operations and the community; directs and coordinates investigations and multi-jurisdictional issues to meet established objectives and directives.
* Meets regularly with staff to review cases, assignments, work in progress, discuss and resolve issues, and to prioritize and assign tasks and projects; evaluates and analyzes functions, resources, processes and procedures to identify issues and recommend changes for improvement; interprets applicable rules and regulations to provide guidance in developing, implementing, and administering policies and procedures.
* Manages staff and attorneys through proper delegation and work supervision to provide appropriate levels of service and resources; coordinates and manages cases and various special and recurring projects, monitors work, evaluates performance, trains, counsels, coaches, and instructs staff and attorneys in order to meet established goals and objectives; ensures adherence to established policies and procedures to remain in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
* Coordinates the management of legal issues with staff, contract law firms, and independent counsel; represents the City in litigation, negotiations, settlements, and other municipal legal proceedings; reviews and evaluates pertinent decisions, policies, regulations and other legal matters; confers with, and provides advice and counsel to City officials and staff; manages municipal legal issues; negotiates agreements with opposing parties and counsel; establishes case strategy; prosecutes criminal cases in District Court.
* Reviews legal documents, contracts, leases and issues; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine criminal strategies and civil liabilities based on the facts of law and evidence; reviews and approves resolution strategies; advises staff on negotiation and litigation tactics; conducts conferences with opposing parties and counsel concerning settlement of cases; defends civil cases in both federal and state District Court and represents the City in both Tenth Circuit and New Mexico appellate courts.
* Monitors trends in municipal law and risk management issues, and recommends operational, procedural and policy improvements.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor Degree AND seven (7) years of experience in a civil and criminal legal practice; at least one (1) year of experience in municipal finance, land use, and public labor law is preferred. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

If not licensed in the State of New Mexico at the time of hire, applicant must apply for a Public Employee Limited License issued under NMRA 15-301.1 and must obtain a regular State of New Mexico bar license within one (1) year of the date of hire. Associated costs will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable Knowledge of: applicable rules, regulations, techniques and procedures to effectively perform the functions of the position; State of New Mexico criminal and civil statutes, rules, case law, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and regulations; Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations affecting planning, water and land use, public utilities, community development and leases; legal precedents and court decisions impacting municipal government; court procedures, rules of evidence, protocols and strategies; legal research methods, techniques, sources, databases and other research tools; legal case management procedures and techniques; principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records and other data that may be used in court and legal hearings; City Attorney's protocols and strategies of negotiation and litigation; principles of the development, refinement and presentation of legal strategies; techniques and practices for efficient and cost effective management of resources; principles and practices of effective administrative management including personnel management, record keeping and records management, budgeting, strategic planning, customer service and effective employee supervision; business and personal computers, and applicable software applications; City ordinances, codes, organization, operations, policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet critical deadlines and ensure achievement of goals and objectives; research and compile applicable information and maintain accurate records; read, interpret, communicate, and ensure compliance with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; present oral and written information in a clear and concise manner; effectively present cases in court; firmly and impartially supervise, coach, lead, and direct the activities of staff; research and compile applicable information and maintain accurate records; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and data; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, outside agencies, City staff, and other participants in the justice process; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines to successfully meet expectations, established goals, and objectives.

Skills in: assuming executive level responsibilities and making appropriate decisions within delegated authority; researching and identifying precedence in case law; negotiating agreements; litigating cases in a legal hearing and courtroom setting; reviewing and assessing legal issues and documents; effectively assessing, interpreting and applying complex criminal and civil laws to information, evidence and other data compiled; utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research and on-line systems; maintaining complete and accurate records; effective verbal and written communication; using techniques and practices for effective, efficient and cost effective management of allocated resources; operating standard office equipment and a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software.