Deputy City Attorney - Civil Division

Overall Job Objective

Summary of Job Duties

City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and wellness programs
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

City Attorney's Office - Civil Division
The City Attorney's office, Civil Division's mission is to provide a comprehensive range of legal services to our clients in a timely and competent fashion and to vigorously defend any lawsuit filed against the City. The Civil Division prepares ordinances and resolutions, defends the City in litigation matters, and provides legal counsel to the City offices and City Council. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Deputy City Attorney - Civil Division, you will utilize your knowledge and abilities as an experienced attorney, supervisor and mentor to assist the City Attorney in the overall management of the Civil Division of the City Attorneys office. Currently this position manages the litigation team, the police and fire legal advisors and legal concerns regarding federal, state and municipal legislative efforts impacting Aurora. You will also provide - either directly or through their team of direct reports - the necessary and proper legal advice and services to the various elected officials, departments, commissions, boards, and employees of assigned Client Group(s), ensuring that the activities of the City are conducted in accordance with the requirements of Federal, State, and local laws
This assignment may be in conjunction with a departmental assignment or other function without the office.

• Provide day-to-day operational management of the Civil Division, ensuring the all CAO staff have the resources needed to conduct their work.
• Working with the City Attorney and administrative manager, manage the office budget and present the budget report and requests as needed to City Council.
• Foster teamwork through regular team meetings, sharing best practices, peer coaching and solving legal issues affecting the offices clients.
• Lead and develop direct reports by providing regular coaching and feedback on performance and work product (i.e. ordinances, resolutions, contracts and legal opinions ), as well as regular training and developmental learning opportunities.
• Provide legal services and advice to members of the team members assigned. This may include litigation, preparation of legal documents and opinions, general advice and review of client policies. Coordinated regular all-hands and civil division staff meetings.
• Keep City Attorney informed and involved as needed on critical legal issues and decisions affecting the City.
• Assist in the selection, orienting, and training of all new employees including interns.
• Set clear objectives and action plans for and with direct reports.
• Reporting team and individual performance to the City Attorney, including conducting mid-year and annual performance reviews. You may be required to develop and administer performance improvement plans.
• Assist in resolve employee issues and disputes within the City Attorneys office.
• Performs other related supervisory and operational duties as required.
• Indirect supervision of 25 or more attorneys and administrative staff.
• Ability to fulfill the role and responsibilities of interaction with City Council when the City Attorney is unavailable

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school

Experience:

Required Experience:

• The individual filling this position shall be an attorney at law admitted to practice in Colorado and have a minimum of ten (10) years experience in the active practice of law
• Three (3) years of experience in the supervision, mentorship or training of other lawyers
• This position manages the litigation team for the office. Significant litigation experience in federal and Colorado courts is required. Experience in the analysis and drafting of legislation is also required.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in the defense of governmental agencies is desired
• Experience in the defense of 1983 claims, tort claims, police and fire liability claims is desired
• Experience in managing a large litigation team of both internal and outside attorneys is desired
• Experience in providing legal advice to police and fire departments is desired

Knowledge:

• Be knowledgeable of the current status of the law through legal education so as to carry out primary duties and responsibilities and achieve the City attorneys Office goal in a fair, knowledgeable, timely and successful manner
• Ability and knowledge to successfully supervise individuals and develop a working, functional team
• Knowledgeable about City operations and policies so as to effectively ensure adherence to policies and procedures and assist in any modifications that may be needed

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with subordinates
• Make decisions about personnel while focused on the greater good of the client
• Capacity to take charge while still addressing the concerns and individuality of team members
• Ability to productively handle complaints
• Strong time management to balance supervisory duties with other duties that may be assigned.

Core Competency for the Office of the City Attorney:

• Skilled in legal research, strong interpersonal skills
• Teamwork; professionalism
• Positive attitude
• Strong Leadership capabilities to build, manage and mentor effective teams, including sound judgement
• Collaborative, supportive, non-political with the ability to effectively build relationships and manage conflict
• Up-to-date legal knowledge, excellent problem solving, negotiating and communication skills
• Legal accumen, subject matter expert in an area of municipal law

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, analytical communication and organizational skills

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must be licensed to practice law by the State of Colorado and be in good standing

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

• Primarily sedentary physical work requiring the ability to lift a maximum of 10 pounds
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment
• Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment; in an office or courtroom.

Equipment Used:

• Frequently uses a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

Essential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

For Veterans points: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.