Assistant Town Attorney

Description

The Town of Queen Creek is currently recruiting for two (2) Assistant Town Attorney positions.

JOB CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Positions assigned to this class perform advanced professional legal work under the general supervision of the Town Attorney or designee. Work involves providing legal services to the Town Council, Town Manager, Town departments, boards, and commissions, including research, drafting, and legal representation. The Assistant Town Attorney exercises professional judgment in assigned practice areas, assists with litigation and transactional matters, and may provide limited supervision of paraprofessional staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a journey-to-senior level professional attorney classification responsible for providing a wide range of municipal legal services. It is distinguished from the Deputy Town Attorney, which has greater administrative responsibility, serves as second-in-command, and acts for the Town Attorney in their absence. The Assistant Town Attorney is expected to handle complex legal assignments independently but works under the direction of the Town Attorney or designee for department-wide priorities and coordination.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

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  Participates in interdepartmental group meetings to review legal compliance and draft new ordinances and amendments to Town regulations.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to the Town Council, Town Manager, and Town departments on matters including contracts, land use and zoning, water and utility law, real estate transactions, liability, municipal authority, and public records.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates ordinances, resolutions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, development agreements, leases, and other legal documents.
• Represents the Town in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and settlement negotiations; assists with coordination of outside counsel as directed.
• Researches and analyzes legal issues related to municipal governance, land development, water rights and allocation and intergovernmental coordination; prepares legal opinions, memoranda, and staff reports.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including Arizona open meeting, election, and public records laws.
• Attends Town Council meetings, boards, commissions, and public hearings to provide legal support as assigned.
• Advises on risk management, liability, real estate acquisition and disposition and municipal compliance matters.
• Provides guidance and direction to paralegal or support staff when assigned; may mentor less experienced attorneys.
• Maintains confidentiality and upholds professional and ethical standards of the legal profession.
• Provides backup and support throughout the Town Attorney's Office as needed.
• May perform responsibilities of a similar nature and level as assigned.
• Performs related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)

Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; minimum three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience, with municipal law or government law preferred; or the equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.
Special Requirements:
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona and be a member in good standing in the State Bar of Arizona.
To be eligible, Incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Active membership in good standing in the State Bar of Arizona;
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License;
• Maintain all certifications/licenses in good standing required at job entry.

• Principles and practices of municipal, state, and federal law affecting local government.
• Arizona open meeting, election, and public records laws.
• Contract, development agreement and intergovernmental agreement law and procedures.
• Civil, administrative, and litigation procedures.
• Legal research methods, sources, and analysis.
• Municipal operations and intergovernmental relationships.
• Risk management concepts and practices.
• Experience with one or more of the following areas of law; real estate; land use; contracts; administrative/regulatory; constitutional; elections; public records; water; open meeting; and constructions.

• Interpret, apply, and communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely.
• Draft and review accurate, legally sound documents and agreements.
• Represent the Town effectively in legal proceedings and negotiations.
• Conduct thorough legal research and present findings in a clear and practical manner.
• Build effective working relationships with elected officials, staff, and external partners.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion in politically sensitive matters.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments under deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively in both written and oral form.

The following is a list of employment benefits offered by the Town of Queen Creek to full-time employees. The list is for informational purposes only. It does not create or connote any contractual rights or obligations. Additional details will be provided upon hire and are available in the Town of Queen Creek Employee Handbook.

Major Benefits for Full-Time Employees
(Employees choose the benefits that best meet their needs.)

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pre-tax unreimbursed medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Arizona State Retirement System membership
• Short-term and Long-term disability insurance for the employee
• Town-paid basic life insurance
• Optional employee-paid employee and dependent supplemental life insurance
• Commuter life insurance for business travel and travel to and from work
• Deferred compensation plan (457) with employer match
• Retirement Health Savings Account
• Optional enrollment in Identity Protection Program
• Paid holidays, plus one floating holiday annually
• Vacation leave hours annually
• Four weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Optional income replacement insurance
• Worker's compensation insurance
• Employee assistance program; offers confidential individual/family, marriage, legal and financial counseling
• Training opportunities and continuing education opportunities, including tuition reimbursement for pre-approved programs
• Direct deposit of paychecks
• Wellness Programs with incentives