Attorney I

PAY: $76,623-$101,986 DOQ

SUMMARY

This position is responsible for the competent representation of the City of Amarillo and the State of Texas in various courts to try and appeal violations of Amarillo's municipal code, traffic laws and various Class C Misdemeanors; prepare cases for trial including research, filing documents, participating in discovery, and appearing in court; screens police incident reports for violations; and represent the State in appeals to county court and in civil hearings.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for prosecution of cases in Municipal Court.
• Reviews cases for probable cause and oversees filing of complaints on cases in Municipal Court.
• Assists court clerks in drafting the factual additions to complaints.
• Interviews witnesses.
• Confers with complainants.
• Advises City personnel on essential elements of a case.
• Plea-bargains with attorneys and defendants.
• Prepares for and tries both jury and non-jury trials and other hearings.
• Conducts legal research for trials and appeals.
• Represents the City and State on appeals.
• Screens police reports for violations.
• Prepares Pro Se Dockets, and Attorney Dockets, and Speciality Dockets.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited school of law and license to practice law in the State of Texas (in good standing). Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to operate computers for data entry and word processing.
• Strong verbal and written communication skill.
• Ability to operate computers and other basic office equipment, including copy machine, printer and fax.
• Ability to learn specific software programs used by the police department and Municipal Court.

ADA PROFILE

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  The employee must also walk, stand, sit, hear, reach, speak, see, and talk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in a safe and secure indoor work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.

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.