Deputy City Attorney - Criminal & Civil Divisions

POSITION DESCRIPTION The City of Rochester invites applications for: Deputy City Attorney - Criminal & Civil Divisions City Attorneys' Office The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging.
We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.
We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work.
We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together.
Nature of Work The Deputy City Attorney performs professional services involving legal matters conducted on behalf of the City under the direction of the City Attorney, and supervises assigned City teammates.
The incumbent will collaborate and coordinate with agencies, both internal and external to the City of Rochester to ensure public safety, appropriate handling of legal matters, and efficient use of resources.
This position reports directly to the City Attorney.
We currently have openings for a Deputy City Attorney in both our criminal and civil division, therefore, will be hiring 2 individuals.
Review of applications will begin on January 12, 2024.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES * Oversee departmental law duties Supervise all Assistant City Attorney I attorneys as well as provide work direction of Assistant City Attorney II attorneys.
Manage assignment of cases.
Collaborate with state, county, and local criminal justice partners in the interest of best use of resources, improving efficiency, and utilizing best practices.
Serve as primary back-up to City Attorney.
*Individual Caseload Represent the City in court or other proceedings requiring legal representation.
Serve as trial attorney for preparation, pretrial, and trial of cases before the District Court, Appellate Courts and administrative agencies.
Prepare and conduct litigation on behalf of the City.
Assemble evidentiary matters, conduct legal research, negotiate settlements and handle other professional activities relative to matters involved in litigation.
Undertake plea negotiations in criminal cases when deemed appropriate in view of evidence and nature of pending charges.
Legal Advisor to the City Serve as a legal advisor for the City that may involve complex legal issues.
Research to prepare and recommend legal opinions.
Provide legal advisement to department personnel, boards, commissions and City officials which may influence program content of departments and ways by which the City deploys its resources.
Communicate legal perspective to police officers concerning investigation and issuance of criminal charges in specific cases.
Deliver legal guidance to City officials and departments on legal matters.
Respond to inquiries from the general public for the purpose of explaining ordinances, municipal procedures, state and federal laws and regulations, and other related matters.
Attend meetings of boards and commissions on behalf of the City Attorney to give counsel on legal matters that arise during those meetings.
*Team Leadership Foster a collaborative leadership style that encourages teamwork, promotes staff initiative and provides professional growth opportunities for all departmental employees.
Provide work direction to employees relative to the completion of designated assignments; delegate responsibilities as appropriate.
Develop and implement effective employee coaching and performance management strategies to ensure achievement of organizational priorities, encourage innovation, promote teamwork, foster engagement and produce high-quality work.
Demonstrate courage to provide direct, current and consistent coaching and feedback; conduct annual performance evaluations in compliance with organizational policies; initiate corrective action when appropriate.
Partner with human resources professionals to implement effective hiring and selection practices.
Assist with development and maintenance of divisional budgets and strategic priorities.
Ensure employee personnel, timekeeping, and training records are accurately maintained per City policy and statutory requirements.
Collaborate with Human Resources professionals to resolve employment/labor relations issues and participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations when requested.
Miscellaneous Upon request, prepare or review proposed contracts to which the City is a party; draft or revise ordinances, resolutions, regulations, deeds, leases, agreements, and other related legal documents for the City as assigned by the City Attorney.
Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.
* ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience Graduation from an accredited law school under the Rules of Minnesota Supreme Court with a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law Degree.
At least two years of experience as a supervisor of law personnel (either attorneys or legal support staff).
Criminal: Seven years of experience in practicing criminal law, including at least three years of prosecutorial experience.
Civil: Seven years of experience in practicing law, including at least three years of experience involving civil legal matters of municipal or state government.
Licenses A license or licensable to practice law within the State of Minnesota Desirable Qualifications Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and in particular, individuals from historically disadvantaged communities.
Proficiency with Westlaw and Microsoft Office applications ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The incumbent will be required to demonstrate an expert understanding of and/or an ability to perform each of the following: Expert comprehension of modern principles and best practices specific to legal services, criminal and civil justice systems, and legislative processes and systems.
Apply knowledge base and understanding of applicable provisions of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances and ability to utilizing this understanding by solving complex problems affecting departmental operations.
Foundational awareness of applicable provisions of the City Home Rule Charter, the Rochester Code of Ordinances, the Minnesota Administrative Code Rules, and the Legislative Code Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules of Court.
Ability to use a full range of current and modern job-related equipment, computer hardware, and software applications, and apply this expertise while accomplishing work-related tasks and research.
Negotiate and meet deadlines, prioritize issues, identify matters requiring immediate attention, and take effective and appropriate action based on determinations.
Plan, coordinate, lead, and monitor complex projects, prepare work plans, develop protocols and standards, define and appropriately measure results.
Lead planning activities and assist city officials, department heads, staff, and customers in problem solving and analysis.
Commitment to being strategically focused.
Achieve results and add value to the organization by implementing appropriate strategies.
Public speaking, presentation, and facilitation and exhibiting ability to diffuse hostile situations and manage conflict in an appropriate manner.
Produce well-timed, accurate, and comprehensible reports and correspondence to ensure proper communication with the intended audience.
Transfer one's knowledge to others and impart positive influence on others.
Lead the department by providing effective work direction to subordinate supervisors and employees, by promoting the vision and mission of the City, and reinforcing desired employee work behaviors.
Model the City's core value statements and support a positive work environment.
Recruit talented people, support a team environment, and provide opportunities for employee development.
Establish and maintain effective performance management objectives which include training, coaching, and mentoring employees.
Conduct timely, consistent, fair, and equitable performance evaluations.
Work across departmental lines and form partnerships that foster better citizen services, eliminate barriers to achieving results, and build alliances with key decision makers.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position.
The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below: Continuous demands: sitting and fine dexterity Frequent demands: standing, walking, and handling of objects/materials Occasional demands: lifting, pushing/pulling, carrying of objects weighing more than ten (10) pounds, climbing, bending, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and twisting Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch.
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: NONE (not substantially exposed to environmental conditions)