Assistant City Attorney I/II

An Overview

The Office of the City Attorney, legal counsel to the City of Alexandria, is accepting applications for a permanent full time position of Assistant City Attorney I or II (depending on qualifications). This is professional legal work involving legal advice, litigation and representation in selected areas of municipal operations. This position will serve as counsel to the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS), and the Health Department, and will also serve as the City’s Parking Adjudicator. Other duties of this position may include the general duties of an ACA I /II such as: legal research, drafting of opinions and ordinances, and assisting in representing the City in a wide variety of operational, administrative, and judicial proceedings. This position will report to a Deputy City Attorney.

The Opportunity
Acts as the City’s Parking Adjudicator which is the first line of appeal for parking tickets
before the ticket is appealed to the General District Court. The Parking Adjudicator reviews
the appealed ticket and has the authority to overturn the ticket if it is was issued in error.
The adjudicator also assists in overall parking enforcement policy matters. Assists in the representation of the Department of Community & Human Services regarding child welfare cases, guardianship cases and other matters involving DCHS agencies. Assists in representation of the Alexandria DCHS, Community Services Board. Assists partial city agencies including the Health Department and Animal Control with various matters including civil penalty enforcement in General District Court for violations of the City Code. Responds to inquiries on questions of law and provides legal advice, including litigation, to City Council, City employees, and members of City boards and commissions. Assists in the drafting of ordinances and resolutions for consideration/enactment by City Council. Renders legal advice to and discusses City Code, City ordinances, and related legal issues with various departments and offices of the City and with citizens. Attends, on occasion, meetings of boards and commissions and advises on legal issues.

About the Department
The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice to City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City Manager and City Departments. We are responsible for drafting ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal papers. We represent the City in civil court to defend the City in actions taken against it and to initiate cases to enforce the City's laws and actions. Our office is also responsible for handling requests for public records, in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and for serving as an adjudicator for parking ticket disputes.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

To qualify for this position, all candidates must possess a Juris Doctor degree; eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the ability to become so authorized within eight months of appointment; have experience in one or more substantive areas of Virginia or Federal law. Experience in conducting legal research. Excellent legal writing skills. Experience in drafting legal opinions, court pleadings, local ordinances and persuasive legal writing. Trial experience in State and Federal courts, and/or administrative agencies. Experience in dealing with inquiries from members of the public and local governing bodies.

Preferred Qualifications

To be considered an ideal candidate, the applicant should be eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia immediately upon hire and have a minimum of 2 years or more or experience as an attorney; and 1 year or more of trial experience; experience in the field of child welfare.

Notes

This position will require the successful completion of a background investigation, to include a criminal records check.