Assistant City Attorney I

COME JOIN OUR TEAM AND HELP GRAND PRAIRIE BUILD ITS FUTURE!

The City of Grand Prairie has experienced explosive development and growth over the last few years, creating increased complexity in providing legal services. The City Attorney’s Office has been able to add additional staffing in the last year to accommodate these needs. Retirements and restructuring of key roles in 2023 and 2024 have created exciting opportunities to grow and reposition the City Attorney’s Office for the future. This is an opportunity to become a part of an established, first-class City and City Attorney’s Office with opportunities for growth within the department. The ideal candidate will match the personality of the City: dynamic, forward-thinking, assertively friendly, hard-working, and bold.

Under the direction of the City Attorney, this position assists in providing a variety of legal services for the City of Grand Prairie, its departments and employees. The role in the Prosecution Division is responsible for prosecuting Class C misdemeanors in Municipal Court. The role in the Civil Division is responsible for counseling and advising City departments on enforcement matters, civil liability, and drafting or reviewing City contracts, leases, ordinances, requests for records, attending boards and commission meetings, and occasionally representing the City in litigation and before administrative bodies. All roles will also be required to assist in all other aspects of municipal law and other duties as assigned.

Applications received on or before January 27, 2025 will be considered for the initial interview process. Applications received after this date will be reviewed at the City’s discretion until the position is filled.

Essential Job Functions

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

Assistant City Attorney I

(This position may be assigned to the Civil Division or the Prosecution Division)

• Minimum 1-3 years legal experience, with prior legal experience in municipal law, criminal prosecution or related field preferred.
• Drafts or reviews City contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, deeds, easements, agenda items, and Public Information Act request documents.
• Researches, analyzes, and prepares legal memoranda, opinions and training bulletins on criminal or civil law, criminal procedure, department policy, case law, and legislative updates as necessitated by law or as requested by the City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney or City Department Directors.
• Represents the City in the filing and prosecution of all Class C criminal and civil violations in Municipal Court, including both bench and jury trials, preparing for and handling pretrial conferences, plea agreements, preparation of motions, and other legal documents.
• Reviews reports, prepares complaints, and meets with attorneys and pro se defendants to review and advise of charges and options for disposition of cases.
• Interviews and prepares witnesses for trial.
• Represents the City in administrative hearings and on appeal of cases.
• Reviews requests for records under the Texas Public Information Act and timely responds to requests or request an Attorney General Opinion.
• Keeps police department updated on any changes to penal laws or City ordinances affecting the prosecution of Class C criminal or civil violations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by a supervisor/manager within department/division.
• Regular and dependable attendance is required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Required Education: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• Required Licenses: Licensed by the State Bar of Texas; Valid Class C Driver’s License
• Minimum 1-3 years legal experience, with prior legal experience in municipal law, criminal prosecution or related field preferred.

The City offers a full range of benefits for full time employees, including, but not limited to the plans as defined in the Benefits Guide. Summary of Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 2/7/2025 5:00 PM Central