The purpose of this position is to prosecute criminal cases at the Wichita Falls Municipal Court of Record as well as provide legal advice, counsel and representation to officials in various legal matters. This is accomplished by representing officials in investigations and proceedings, defending the city and officials in claims filed, meeting with the public to discuss violations, issuing subpoenas, meeting with officers and witnesses on cases, preparing and evaluating cases for trial, and drafting motions. Other duties include interacting with external counsel, drafting ordinances, interpreting laws, completing legal research, and reviewing and signing various contracts and permits.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Driver’s License Required – N Type –N/A Endorsements – N/A
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
None.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Note: This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position. Additionally, please be aware of the legend below when referring to the physical demands of each essential function.
(S)
Sedentary
(L)
Light
(M)
Medium
(H)
Heavy
(V)
Very Heavy
Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.
Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally; 10 lbs. frequently; or negligible amounts constantly; OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally; 10-25 lbs. frequently; or up to 10 lbs. constantly.
Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally; 10-25 lbs. frequently; or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly.
Exerting over 100 lbs. occasionally; 50-100 lbs. frequently; or up to 20-50 lbs. constantly.
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Code
Essential Functions
1
L
Regular and reliable attendance in compliance with given schedules is a mandatory requirement of this position. Schedules may be subject to change with or without advance notice
2
L
Completes bench trials by reviewing citations, drafting or revising charge sheets, meeting with officers and witnesses, advising participants on courtroom procedures, preparing information, and conducting trials.
3
L
Completes jury trials by reviewing citations, drafting or revising charge sheets, meeting with officers and witnesses, preparing witnesses, advising participants on courtroom procedures, preparing information, researching case law, and conducting trials.
4
S
Answers citation questions and concerns from the public by reviewing citations, checking individuals’ history, reviewing elements and evidence, and advising the public of available options.
5
L
Completes special projects for the city by researching information, handling supervised litigation issues, drafting memorandums and legal brief, advising staff, departments and elected officials, and drafting related ordinances for review and adoption.
6
S
Drafts language and amendments for new and revised ordinances by meeting with all affected parties, revising drafts, evaluating current ordinances against new legislation, evaluating enforcement processes, researching other municipal information, discussing revisions and requirements, and answering related legal questions.
7
S
Prepares for trials by meeting with attorneys, discussing options, negotiating plea agreements, filing pre-trial motions, verifying prior criminal history, researching legal defenses and arguments, reviewing written correspondence, filing relevant motions, making oral presentations, and negotiating with attorneys and filing correspondence.
8
S
Signs legal documents by reviewing information and ensuring compliance.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
-Description of Minimum Job Requirements-
Organization Responsibility Level
LEAD WORKER
Data Responsibility
Plans or directs others in the sequence of major activities and reports on operations and activities which are very broad in scope.
People Responsibility
Gives information, guidance, or assistance to people which directly facilitates task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.
Assets Responsibility
Responsible for only small quantities of low-cost items or supplies where opportunities for achieving economies or preventing loss are negligible.
Experience-Related Requirements
Zero years up to and including two years.
Vocational/ Educational Preparation
Requires High school graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized courses/training equivalent to completion of one year of college
Mathematical Requirements
Uses addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.
Communications Requirements
Reads journals, manuals, and professional publications; speaks informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, the general public, people in other organizations; presents training; composes original reports, training and other written materials, using proper language, punctuation, grammar, and style.
Judgement Requirements
Makes frequent decisions, affecting the individual, co-workers, and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but many variations from the routine.
Complexity of Work
Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem solving; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures.
Impact of Errors
Impact of decisions is moderately serious – affects work unit and may affect other units or citizens; or loss of life could occur but probability is low.
Physical Demands
Sedentary work that involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time; requires little or no dexterity.
Equipment Usage
Handles or uses machines, tools, or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience such as hand and power tools, buffers, floor polishers, vacuum sweepers, outdoor hand-held power equipment, small mowers, commercial kitchen equipment, computers for data entry, fax, complex copiers, phone systems, and other similar equipment, services office machines including such actions as adding paper and changing toner.
Unavoidable Hazards
None. Works in environmentally controlled situation such as office.
Safety of Others
Some responsibility for safety and health of others and/or for occasional enforcement of the standards of public safety or health.
OVERALL PHYSICAL STRENGTH DEMANDS:
-Physical strength for this position is indicated below with “X”-
Sedentary
X
Light
Medium
Heavy
Very Heavy
Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.
Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally, 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible amounts constantly OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.
Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly.
Exerting over 100 lbs. occasionally, 50-100 lbs. frequently, or up to 20-50 lbs. constantly.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
C Continuously 2/3 or more of the time.
F Frequently From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
O Occasionally Up to 1/3 of the time.
R Rarely Less than 1 hour per week.
N Never Never occurs.
Note: This is intended as a description of the way the job is currently performed. It does not address the potential for accommodation.
-Physical Demand-
-Frequency-
-Brief Description-
Standing
F
Communicating with co-workers, Observing work duties, Observing work site, Making presentations