Assistant Attorney I​/II​/Assistant Prosecutor; Port Arthur, TX

Assistant City Attorney I/II/Assistant City Prosecutor (Port Arthur, TX)

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

JOB SUMMARY: 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: Entry level class; routine legal and prosecutorial work requiring minimum municipal legal experience.
Assistant City Attorney II: Higher class; requires prior municipal legal experience, litigation, and performs full range of duties with higher independence.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED: Receives general direction from the City Attorney; may exercise direct and indirect supervision over clerical/administrative staff.

• 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; recommend changes in policies and procedures to meet legal requirements.
• Prepare, draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents and instruments; offer opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City.
• Prosecute 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, board, and commission meetings 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.
• Respond to public inquiries about code matters and other legal issues.
• Serve as Acting City Attorney as required.

Maintain mental capacity, physical condition, and effective audio-visual discrimination to perform legal duties, supervise personnel, and operate in a diverse environment.

Assistant City Attorney I

• Knowledge of legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law; methods of legal research; judicial procedures; municipal ordinances and statutes.
• Ability to serve as Prosecutor in Municipal Court, analyze legal issues, conduct research, prepare opinions, communicate orally and in writing, prepare legal documents, present cases, use independent judgment, work independently, and establish cooperative relationships.
• Experience:
  
  Three years of responsible professional experience in general law.
• Training:
  Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licenses:
  Membership in the State Bar of Texas; ability to obtain U.S. District Court practice license.

Assistant City Attorney II

• In addition to I, requires knowledge of tort law, liability insurance litigation, search and seizure, civil rights, and public labor law.
• Ability to represent the City in judicial and administrative proceedings; provide sound legal advice to police officers; advise on procedures, evidence handling, investigations.
• Experience:
  
  Five years of increasingly responsible municipal or governmental law experience, including trial experience.
• Training:
  Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licenses:
  Membership in the State Bar of Texas; ability to obtain U.S. District Court license.

EEO STATEMENT: The City of Port Arthur is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO/AA/V/F/RC/H).

DEPARTMENT: Law Department

Requisition Number: #25-015
Full‑time position

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