City Attorney
City Attorney Position
Average Hours Per Week: 19 or less hours per week
Position Type: Part time, not eligible for benefits
The City Attorney serves as the appointed legal counsel for the City of Ammon and provides part-time legal advice, review, representation, and support to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, department directors, boards, commissions, and City staff on matters affecting City operations.
The City Attorney's role is primarily advisory and preventative, emphasizing reviewing legal questions, identifying legal risks, drafting or reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents, and assisting City officials in making legally sound decisions. The City Attorney is not expected to function as a full-time in-house legal department but must be reasonably available and responsive to routine City legal needs.
The City Attorney is appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council and serves in accordance with Idaho law, City ordinance, and the terms approved by the City Council.
The City Attorney does not maintain an office at City Hall and is expected to provide their own office space, administrative support, legal research tools, and related professional resources unless the City agrees otherwise. The City Attorney shall coordinate primarily with the City Administrator for routine legal requests, agenda review, document review, and scheduling.
Routine legal requests should generally be routed through the Mayor, City Administrator, and relevant department directors. The City Attorney shall acknowledge routine requests within one business day when reasonably available. Completion of legal work products, opinions, document reviews, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other requested deliverables shall occur within a timeframe mutually agreed upon by the City Attorney and the requesting City official or employee, considering the complexity, priority, and legal requirements of the matter.
Supervision Received
- Works under the general direction of the City Administrator
Supervision Exercised
- None
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Illustrative Only)
- Provides legal counsel and guidance to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, department directors, boards, commissions, and City employees regarding municipal operations and legal matters.
- Attends all regular and special City Council meetings and select Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, and provides legal advice as requested.
- Reviews, drafts, negotiates, and approves contracts, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, policies, easements, deeds, development agreements, staff reports, and other legal documents.
- Researches and provides formal and informal legal opinions concerning municipal law, land use, public records, open meetings, employment matters, public works, utility operations, enterprise operations, procurement, code enforcement, and other legal issues affecting the City.
- Represents the City in civil litigation, city code violations, administrative proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and other legal matters, or coordinates representation through outside counsel when appropriate.
- The City Attorney serves as the City's general counsel and is responsible for providing routine legal advice and services to the City. Representation of the City in litigation, appeals, administrative proceedings, or other legal matters requiring substantial additional work or specialized expertise is not considered part of the regular duties of this position. Such matters may be assigned to the City Attorney under a separate agreement or compensation arrangement or may be referred to outside legal counsel at the City's discretion.
- Assists in the enforcement of City ordinances and regulations.
- Provides legal review of agenda items, staff reports, and proposed actions presented to the City Council.
- Monitors and advises City officials regarding changes in federal, state, and local laws affecting municipal operations.
- Works collaboratively with City staff to identify and mitigate legal risks.
- Responds to legal inquiries from City officials and staff promptly and in a timely manner.
- Provides legal support during emergencies, special projects, public hearings, and other City functions as needed.
- Maintains professional licensure and remains current on developments in municipal law and related legal fields.
Peripheral Duties
- May serve on various committees, task forces, or advisory groups as requested.
- Provides training to elected officials, department heads, supervisors, and employees regarding legal compliance and risk management matters.
- Performs other duties as assigned, consistent with this job description.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of municipal law, Idaho statutes, administrative law, constitutional law, contract law, employment law, public records law, open meeting law, land use law, and related legal disciplines.
- Knowledge of the structure, functions, and operations of local government.
- Ability to analyze complex legal issues and provide practical, legally sound recommendations.
- Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, employees, consultants, contractors, government agencies, and the public.
- Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain confidentiality when required.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to time-sensitive legal matters.
Minimum Acceptable Experience and Training
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
- Current membership in good standing with the Idaho State Bar.
- A minimum of five (5) years of legal practice, with municipal, governmental, public sector, land use, employment, or related legal experience preferred.
- Experience advising elected officials, governing boards, or public agencies is preferred.
Tools, Equipment, and Information Technology (IT) Required for the Position
- Reliable transportation for travel to and from City facilities, meetings, court appearances, and other work-related locations.
- Cell phone and associated service.
- Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and expenses necessary to maintain an active license to practice law.
- Idaho State Bar licensing fees, dues, and other professional membership fees.
- Any additional professional resources not specifically provided by the City.
Work Environment
Position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities, generally involving minor muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, and reaching. Talking, hearing and seeing well are necessary to perform essential functions. Rapid work speed required to perform keyboard operations. Common eye, hand, finger, dexterity required. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking and some creative problem solving. The City Attorney does not have an office in city hall, they will be expected to provide their own office space. Office support staff will not be provided.
Travel Requirements
- The employee must possess and maintain a valid Idaho driver's license and proof of valid insurance.
- Some local travel required.
Disclaimer
Must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work required for this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.