Job Title: City Attorney
Salary range: $120,000 to $135,000 (salaried)
Location: City Hall, 1040 Harley-Davidson Way
Department: City Hall
Hours: Full-time, non-exempt, eligible for benefits, SD retirement
Job Description:
This position is responsible for providing legal representation and guidance to the city government, elected officials, and city staff.
- Acts as the chief legal officer to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and city staff to provide legal advice and guidance in all areas, legal and otherwise, pertaining to all aspects of city government, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, policy directives, and day-to-day city operations.
- Acts as the legal advisor to city-appointed boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and/or supervises the preparation of legal documents, ordinances, and resolutions.
- Researches, prepares, reviews, amends, and corrects ordinances, contracts, resolutions, legal proceedings, legal briefs, research memoranda, easements, and other legal documents in which the city has an interest prior to adoption to ensure compliance with city, state, and federal laws as well as city policy directives and established procedures.
- Ensures compliance and advises how to comply with statutes, regulations, administrative rules, ordinances, resolutions, and policies.
- Consults with and advises human resources staff on city personnel matters; provides legal advice relative to hiring, discharge, layoffs, disciplinary action, grievances, employee rights and benefits, and employee performance evaluations.
- Attends City Council meetings, informational meetings, personnel meetings, and legal meetings to advise the City Council and city staff on correct procedures and legal compliance of all City Council and administrative actions.
- Reviews proposed state legislation impacting the city and prepares state legislation relating to municipal and city government matters as directed by the City Council; consults with the City Council and department directors with regard to such legislation and testifies before the legislative boards.
- Prosecutes city ordinance violations and represents the city in court.
Qualifications & Experiences
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law
- A license to practice law in South Dakota; in good standing of the state Supreme Court and the South Dakota Bar Association
- At least five years experience in the practice of law, with at least three year’s practice within the state of South Dakota
- Prior experience as a municipal attorney is preferred
- Comprehensive knowledge of state statues concerning municipal affairs, including laws regulating municipal government, public procurement, public employment, land use, utilities and traffic laws
- Experience working in a busy and fluid work environment
- Experience prioritizing work deliverables and work independently
Salary: $120,000 to $135,000 DOQE
The City Attorney is a full-time employee of the City of Sturgis.
Benefits include medical and dental insurance, participation in the South Dakota Retirement System, and an employment contract. This position reports to the City Administrator.
Interested applicants must submit a City employment application, resume, letter of interest and a list of professional references.
Download ApplicationDownload Job Description