Assistant City Attorney I

The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Assistant City Attorney I to join our Legal Team. This is an entry-level opportunity ideal for recent law school graduates who have recently passed the Bar Exam and are eager to begin a meaningful career in public service law. This role offers hands-on experience across a wide range of municipal legal matters while working alongside experienced attorneys in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and guidance to the City Manager, City departments, and division heads on the full range of legal issues affecting the City.
• Drafts new and amended ordinances, and other legal documents such as resolutions, policies, procedures, legal memoranda, and legal briefs.
• Drafts contracts, agreements, and real estate documents. Represents the City’s interest in contract negotiations and carries out goals of contracts.
• Provides legal analysis and opinions on a variety of legal questions and acts as legal advisor to the Council and its various committees, commissions, boards, authorities, and City departments.
• Conducts legal research, analysis, drafting, and communication. Assists in various legal matters, including open records requests, open meeting law, policy questions, and other issues. Interprets laws and ordinances and makes recommendations.
• Represents the City in judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative proceedings, including contested trials and appeals.
• Supports litigation cases involving a wide variety of subject matters including, but not limited to, torts, civil rights, and prosecuting violations of city code. Represents the City in small claims, foreclosures, and affirmative litigation.
• Proactively identifies issues of concern affecting the City.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Juris doctor from an accredited law school
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse population

• License to practice law in the state of Iowa

Supplemental Information

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Applicants with Disabilities
We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the City's Human Resources department by phone at 319-286-5000 or by email at hr@cedar-rapids.org.

We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

• Multiple health insurance plans administered by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield with low employee premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance (view our benefits summaries for more information: Choice Plan and Traditional Plan)
• Expansive Wellness Program and low cost onsite exercise facilities
• Dental Insurance with Delta Dental of Iowa
• 100% city paid basic life insurance
• Other voluntary benefits offered including vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• IPERS Retirement - Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, with contributions of 6.29% employee/ 9.44% City (IPERS)
• Deferred Compensation (IRS Section 457) retirement programs
• Generous paid time off AND 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave program with 4 weeks of paid time off
• Annual salary increases, AND an annual across-the-board increase (determined by available budget)
• Longevity Pay for years of service
• Educational assistance up to $3,000 per year
• A culture that is supportive and committed to professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – Employees may qualify for the PSLF program which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.