Assistant Attorney I​/II​/Assistant Prosecutor

SALARY: $47.6153 - $59.3312, Exempt (DOE&Q) (Entry)
$55.0895 - $68.5514, Exempt (DOE&Q) (Level II)
OPENING DATE: 03/07/2025
CLOSING DATE: Open until Filled

JOB SUMMARY:
DEFINITION

To provide a wide range of professional legal services to the City Council, City Department, and various boards and commissions; to prosecute cases in Municipal Court; to draft and review City ordinances and resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents; to provide legal advice to the Police Department and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the City Attorney.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Assistant City Attorney I: This is the entry level class in the Assistant City Attorney series. Incumbents in this class are assigned the more routine legal and prosecutorial work requiring a minimum of previous municipal legal experience. Positions assigned to the higher Assistant City Attorney II class which become vacant could reasonable be filled at the Assistant City Attorney I level.

Assistant City Attorney II
:
Positions in the class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant City Attorney I level, or when filled from the outside, require prior municipal Jaw experience, including litigation. Appointment to this class requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class and fulfill the qualification standards. Work in the class is distinguished from that of greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate.

Positions allocated to this class exercise a high degree of responsibility for litigation and other external legal representation and for advice to police officials.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED
Assistant City Attorney I
Receives general direction from the City Attorney.
Assistant City Attorney II
Receives direction from the City Attorney.
Exercise direct and indirect supervision over clerical/administrative staff. May exercise lead supervision as assigned.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Perform legal research and prepare written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City Departments, and various boards and commissions.
Confer with and render assistance to department heads in establishing departmental policies by applying legal points and procedures; recommend changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
Prepare, draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents and instruments, and offer opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agent or agency.
Prosecutes all complaints for violations of Port Arthur’s municipal code, traffic laws and various Class C Misdemeanors in Municipal or appropriate Court.

Investigate claims and complaints against the City and take or recommend appropriate action.

Assist in or prepare cases for hearings, trials, and other judicial proceedings and represent the City in such proceedings.
Represent the City Attorney at various City Council and board and commission meetings, venues, etc., and in court as directed by the City Attorney.
Assist in, the supervision, training, and evaluation of clerical staff in the City Attorney's Office.
Responds to public inquiries about code matters and other legal issues.
Serve as Acting City Attorney as required.


ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES


Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capabilities to:
- Exercise sound judgement and rational thinking under stressful circumstances.
- Evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course
of action.

-Prepare complex actions, policies and recommendations.
-Effectively supervise personnel.
-Operate effectively in an economically and culturally diverse environment.

Maintain physical condition, which will allow the capability to perform the following:
-Running, walking, crawling for various periods of time as necessary.
-Climbing stairs and ladders as necessary.
-Moving loads of approximately 25-50 lbs. as necessary.
-Ability…