The City of Odessa is seeking an Assistant City Attorney to serve as one of the City’s legal advisors and a municipal prosecutor. The position will provide legal counsel to departments, review contracts and ordinances and help protect the City from liability.

The position reports directly to the City Attorney and has these core responsibilities:
Preparation & Prosecution of Municipal Court Cases occurring within the Odessa City Limits
Review police reports, complaints & citations for case review & charging decisions
Draft pleadings, plea offer and legal motions
Present cases using facts, case law and legal precedence
Represent the City in Municipal Court for all dockets
Conduct factual & legal analysis to determine prosecutorial strategy
Legal Opinions & Advisory Work
Interpret city ordinances & state law and analyze legislation and its potential impact on the City
Provide legal opinions to city departments and leadership
Review documents, policy & operational issues for legal sufficiency
Draft motions, memoranda, correspondence & appellate documents
Review & approve contracts, resolutions, ordinances and public communications
Ensure city’s compliance with local, state and federal law
Code Enforcement and Administrative Proceedings
Prepare and prosecution city code violations
Represent the City in administrative hearings and other legal proceedings
Manage case preparation for code related enforcement actions
Risk Management & Liability Reduction
Identify legal risks and recommend mitigation strategies
Ensure city operations comply with legal standards
Protect the city’s interests in all assigned matters

The Assistant City Attorney will be a collaborative and ethical team player. They must
possess excellent communication skills and a commitment to public service. Presentation of
the right candidate will combine legal expertise with strategic vision to support Odessa’s
long term success.

Minimum Qualifications:
Juris Doctorate Degree is required or a reasonable expectation of obtaining in an acceptable transition period.
Knowledge of:
State of Texas criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies & procedures, and applicable
Federal rules & regulations
Texas judicial procedures and rules of evidence
Legal precedents and court decisions impacting municipal government
Municipal government functions, political environments, and confidentiality standards
Principles & protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records and other data that may be used in court and legal proceedings
Texas court protocols and practices and law enforcement agency procedures
Principles & practices of legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct
Legal case management procedures, ethics and techniques
Must have or acquire knowledge of:
Legal precedents and court decisions impacting municipal government
Current political & economic trends in municipal, state and federal government
Local community issues & regional community resources available to citizens
Skills:
Analyzing complex legal administrative issues, interpreting laws & regulations, evaluating alternatives and developing recommendations, strategies and operational improvements
Interpreting and applying criminal & civil laws to information, evidence and other data compiled
Prosecuting cases in a courtroom, presenting legal arguments and mediating legal issues
Using effective interrogative procedures and recognizing suspicious & deceitful behavior patterns
Reviewing & assessing legal issues & documents
Working independently, maintaining composure & discretion and working effectively in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities
Prioritizing and completing assignments with minimum supervision
Explaining federal & state rules and regulations and City policies & procedures while exercising the highest degree of confidentiality
Reviewing & maintaining records, compiling technical information and managing official records
Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects & demands
Establishing & maintaining cooperative working relationships and open communication with City
employees, law enforcement agencies, court and justice system representatives and advocate groups
Communicating effectively verbally , and in writing.

License and Certification Requirements:

Must be a member of the Texas State Bar Association, licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, and remain active with all Texas Bar annual requirements, or have a reasonable expectation of obtaining in an acceptable transition period.