Reports to: Legal Director    Class Code: 1442

Pay grade:  213                  FLSA:  Exempt

Hourly Wage: $55.71 - $64.07

CITY ATTORNEY 

NATURE OF WORK

Serving the public with advanced professional legal work in providing counsel and legal services for the city.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Work involves responsibility for performing a wide variety of professional level duties, including providing legal services for city council, and city departments, as well as boards, commissions, and project teams.  Work includes the preparation of cases for trial and the drafting of resolutions, ordinances, documents, and agreements.  Employees in this class must be sufficiently qualified to try cases of considerable difficulty and manage and resolve complex legal problems of considerable difficulty and scale.  Typical assignments include acting as counsel in general civil matters and litigation including police civil liability, employment, labor matters, and real estate matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.)

Performs difficult legal research, prepares important legal documents, and provides advice and counsel to city council, city departments, boards, and agencies.

Prepares or reviews all types of municipal ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, and other legal documents.

Supervises and coordinates professional staff and support staff as assigned by the Legal Director; provides training and coordination of department services.

May serve as chief advisor to city boards, committees, and commissions as assigned by the Legal Director.

Investigates serious claims and complaints by or against the city; recommends action and takes action as necessary.

Evaluates complex legal problems; negotiates and advises in development of long-term solutions. Assists in and advises throughout implementation.

Prepares difficult cases for trial; serves as trial lawyer for the city in State and Federal Courts, with respect to ordinance violations, claims and damage suits, real estate acquisition or management, assessments, liens, employment/labor law and other matters.  Negotiates collective bargaining agreements with various unions representing city employees.

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

Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.

Performs other duties as required or assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the Legal Director, who reviews work for the effectiveness of services provided, user satisfaction, and results achieved.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises supervision over professional and administrative staff engaged in carrying out the various functions and requirements of their respective responsibilities.  Supervisory responsibilities include assigning and evaluating work, resolving personnel problems, setting performance goals and standards, contributing to hiring and disciplinary decisions, and performing other supervisory functions.

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 frequently.  Work activities require attending meetings and conferences, which involve traveling throughout the city.

SUCCESS FACTORS (KSAs)

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

Considerable knowledge of court procedures and rules of evidence.

Considerable knowledge of city ordinances and provisions particularly relating to the authority and functions of city departments, boards, and agencies.

Considerable knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to city activities.

Ability to prepare and try complex civil cases before State and Federal Courts and administrative agencies.

Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.

Ability to conduct research on complex legal issues.

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

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

Ability to assign, supervise and schedule the work of subordinates.

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

Skill in the operation and care of a personal computer.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited school of law and five years of experience in legal practice.  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

License to practice law in the State of Illinois and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

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.