Assistant City Attorney II

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Provides professional legal representation for the City of Des Moines; performs directly related work as required.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide professional legal advice and to ensure professional representation in representing the City Council, City Departments and employees in complex transactions and contracts or in all forms of litigated matters. Supervision may be exercised over the work of legal support staff. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the applicable Deputy City Attorney and City Attorney but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.

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The Assistant City Attorney II position(s) are within the Infrastructure and Litigation Divisions and will include duties with an emphasis on providing legal advice to numerous departments and substantial complex contractual work or general litigation defense work.

Greater details about the opening will be provided at the time of the interview. Applicants should indicate legal area preferences at the time of application.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctorate degree; and
• Considerable legal experience.

NOTE: Transcripts verifying degree conferred must be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by the application deadline to receive credit. Please attach to application or send electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org , by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1551 E MLK Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317 .

Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer, physical examination and drug screen; and
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility; and
• Admission to the State Bar by the application deadline

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Performs professional legal work related to the enforcement of legal actions brought by the City or the defense of litigation against the City, its employees, officers and agents or transactional work, advising on ordinances, regulations and statutes;
• Drafts and reviews contracts and policies regarding employee benefits, work environment and benefits, or drafts and reviews contracts regarding purchases of goods and services, public improvements, real estate matters and contracts between governmental entities, reviews and revises policies for various City departments;
• Drafts and reviews complex contracts and regulatory documents for City departments including related to Federal and State grants with high attention to detail;
• Performs professional legal work and review related to Federal, State and municipal issues as assigned with a high attention to detail;
• Studies, researches and keeps current knowledge of and provides advice on City, State, Federal and general municipal law for law amendments, regulations and precedents having bearing on City legal problems;
• Provides legal advice, opinions and training to City Staff, City Boards, Committees, Commissions and agencies, and attends meetings of those bodies as assigned;
• Conducts or may assist with litigation in State and Federal District court on municipal matters;
• Provides legal advice, counsel and course of action recommendations to all City Departments in various areas, including the City Manager's office, Police and Fire, Developmental Services, Finance, Housing Services, Neighborhood Services, Human Resources, Engineering, Public Works, Purchasing, Parks or related areas of substantial municipal responsibility;
• Performs special projects for the City Attorney as requested;
• Represents the City before state and federal administrative agencies, boards and commissions;
• Requires a desire to work singly or in a team setting with a high attention to detail and organization;
• Researches legal opinions, memoranda and data for the guidance of City Departments;
• Researches, prepares, and compiles proposed ordinances and resolutions and proposed amendments to existing ordinances;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification;
• Works in coordination with other Legal Department Divisions.

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Closing Date/Time: 6/2/2025 4:00 PM Central

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• City of Des Moines

• 515-283-4213

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