Reports to: Assistant City Attorney II, City Attorney, or Legal Director                                       Class Code: 1440

Grade:  108         FLSA: Exempt 

Hourly Wage: $37.21 ~ $44.65

NATURE OF WORK

The public is served by this position as professional legal work in performing legal services for local government.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Primary work involves providing legal counsel to city departments, council, and administration.  Responsibilities include assisting the police department in analyzing and responding to FOIA requests and expungement cases in circuit court, representing the City in circuit court litigation to collect debts owed to the City, serving as a prosecuting attorney in administrating hearings and litigation filed in circuit court on code violations, or performing other legal services for departments of the city.  This is the first professional level in the attorney class series.  Employees of this class are expected to use professional judgment and skill in carrying work to completion.  Work is reviewed by a supervisor through periodic conferences and results obtained on assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.)

Provides legal counsel to city departments, administration, and council.  

Performs legal research work on various points of law and prepares memorandums and briefs.

Assists the police department in analyzing and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests and expungement cases in circuit court. 

Advises all city departments on Freedom of Information Act requests; responds to the Public Access Counselor on FOIA matters.

Represents the City in circuit court litigation to collect debts owed to the City. 

Prosecutes city ordinance, building code and zoning ordinance cases; negotiates cases with defense attorneys and defendants; interviews and counsels witnesses; interviews and advises law enforcement officers involved in cases. 

Represents the City in foreclosure and demolition litigation filed in circuit court.

Supports litigation matters under the supervision of senior attorneys, including depositions, pre-trial hearings and dispositive motion practice.

Interviews complainants and witnesses, including law enforcement officers, advises victims of trial procedure; develops trial strategy; conducts bench trials, jury trials and administrative code hearings; maintains records of all processes and cases.    

Prepares legal documents for city departments, boards, and agencies; serve as legal advisor to city boards, committees, and commissions as assigned. 

Prepares or reviews municipal ordinances, resolutions and contracts.

Consults with city officers and employees, members of the Illinois Bar and with the general public on a variety of legal matters.

Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Detailed instruction and close supervision are initially provided for employees with no training or experience; however, once an employee experiences all tasks of the position, work is performed independently.  A supervisor or an employee of a higher-level classification is available to advise or assist as necessary or provide guidance on new or unusual tasks.  Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for quality, thoroughness, accuracy, and conformance to established policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision is not a responsibility of positions of this class, although functional direction may be exercised over other program or support staff in connection with various activities of the program.  Employees may provide training in operational procedures, orient new employees, or assist in resolving unusual or difficult problems.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is usually performed in either a courtroom or an office setting.  Work is usually stationary (either sitting or standing) with occasional walking, climbing stairs if elevators are not available, reaching, bending, lifting and carrying objects under 25 pounds or minimal physical activities.  Work requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time and to operate personal computers.

SUCCESS FACTORS (KSAs)

Knowledge of the application of legal principles to individual cases.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws.

Knowledge of court procedures and rules of evidence.

Knowledge of municipal, state, federal and common law and of constitutional law affecting city government.

Ability to present cases in circuit court and at administrative hearings as a prosecutor representing the city.

Ability to present the more routine civil cases in circuit court.

Ability to conduct legal research.

Ability to analyze and prepare legal documents.

Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, and the public.

Skill in the operation of a personal computer

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited school of law with clinical experience in the practice of law.  Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted for the required experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be a licensed member in good standing of the Illinois Bar.

Possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license.

Residency Requirement: 

All employees (except Police and Fire) shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within fifteen (15) miles of the Rockford City Hall within six (6) months of completion of their introductory period, department heads and City Administrator shall live within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.