Attorney II (Police Legal Advisor)

SALARY: $93,500-$114,688 DOQ

SUMMARY:

Self-initiating attorney works with little direct supervision to provide a wide range of high level professional legal services to the city departments of: police, airport police, fire, fire marshal, and animal management and welfare. This Attorney-II position offices in the police headquarters and has no formal oversight over any employee, but is expected to mentor inexperienced Attorney-I as the need arises.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be the primary point of contact in the Legal Department for services to assigned departments.
• Advise and consult with city officials and employees on legal matters pertinent to their duties, internal investigations, and interpretation of city policies, ordinances, and other laws.
• Maintain 24-hour communications availability with the Police Department by phone.
• Conduct legal research and, as needed prepare or review legal documents of various kinds.
• Plan and conduct training & updates for personnel on pertinent legal matters (civil rights, tort liability, due process, etc.), including new legislation and recent court & A.G. opinions.
• Recommend to the city attorney and draft ordinances or amendments. Review and monitor policies and procedures of each department for legal compliance.
• Respond to critical incidents on SWAT call out, police involved shooting and city fleet or industrial accidents involving serious bodily injury, death, or uncommon property damage.
• Assist departments with unusual or complicated open records requests, including requesting AG opinions as needed.
• Represent the City before all federal, state, municipal courts, regulatory agencies, and in other forums as necessary. This includes but is not limited to nuisance abatement, third party discovery & subpoena issues, and expungement proceedings.
• Provide prosecution services in municipal court in absence or unavailability of prosecutors.
• Seek positive liaison relationship with Potter and Randall county prosecutors.
• Serve as an alternate Legal representative in the city's emergency operations center, as needed.
• Participates in continuing legal education programs and seminars to maintain skills and licensure.
• Other duties as assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Noise level is usually a normal office environment, but does require some field work in a highly variable environment. Employee may occasionally be exposed to hazards associated with law enforcement, violent persons, and inclement weather. Specifically, Employee is: constantly required to hear human conversation, see, read, write. Frequently required to sit, stand, talk, walk, drive a motor vehicle. Occasionally to reach, lift up to 25 pounds. Rarely to smell, run.

Education Training, Experience, and Licenses/Certifications/Registrations Required:

REQUIRED: (a) Valid Texas law license in good standing; and (b) a Texas drivers license in good standing and with acceptable driving record; and, (c) No disqualifying criminal or law license disciplinary history. (d) Able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally; (e) Minimum five years experience as a practicing attorney.

PREFERRED: (a) Considerable knowledge of state and federal statutes relating to municipal affairs, including but not limited to: Texas Public Information Act; Texas Tort Claims Act; Texas criminal, transportation, and health statutes; Texas Fire and Police Civil Service Act; 42 U.S.C. 1983; F.M.L.A.; and A.D.A. (b) Bilingual ability.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.