The Position
The City Attorney is the chief legal counsel
for the City of Cedar Rapids and serves as the primary legal advisor to the
City Council, Boards and Commissions, and all city officials. Appointed by the Mayor and City
Council, this position provides an outstanding opportunity to address the most
complex legal challenges, work closely with elected officials to carry out
Council priorities, partner with city leadership, and lead a team of dedicated
professionals in service to the Cedar Rapids community. The City Attorney role
is open following the retirement of a long-serving City Attorney.
Reporting to City
Council and working very closely with the City Manager, the City Attorney provides sound
legal advice to the Council on significant policy, project, litigation,
potential conflicts of interest, and financial matters through written opinions
based on extensive institutional experience, legal research, and contract drafting.
The City Attorney attends all City Council meetings and either drafts or
reviews ordinances, orders, and resolutions issued by the City that come before
the City Council. The
City Attorney engages as a member of the City’s Leadership Team and actively participates in strategic, city-wide discussions.
The City Attorney routinely advises City departments on appropriate action for
various legal issues, particularly those involving City-wide policies or
politically sensitive issues.
The City Attorney’s team carries a full
litigation caseload that includes tort and personal injury cases, worker’s
compensation claims, civil rights actions in state and federal courts,
constitutional litigation, zoning matters, and eminent domain proceedings. The
City Attorney’s Office prosecutes violations of the Cedar Rapids Municipal
Code, such as criminal misdemeanors and civil infractions related to regulating
buildings, housing, zoning, and other various trades.
Priorities
Qualifications
Minimum requirements are a J.D. from
an accredited law school, seven (7) years in the practice of municipal law,
ideally with a successful track record as a City Attorney, Deputy or Assistant City
Attorney, or experience in a private law firm advising municipal governments
with a full range of municipal services, or a similar role in an equivalent
type of organization, in order to fulfill the requirements of the City
successfully. Applicants
must also be a member in good standing of the Iowa State Bar or be eligible to
practice law in Iowa by motion (having practiced law in another state or the
District of Columbia for five of the last seven years).
Preferred qualifications include a candidate
who is a member of the Iowa State Bar, with emphasis and experience in one or
more specialty areas, such as land use, real property, public meetings and
records, public contracts, and civil and administrative law relating to
municipal governments, and litigation. Experience with court processes and
procedures, including at the appellate level, is preferred. The ability to be
bonded in accordance with City standards is required.
The City Attorney will be required to
live within the city limits of Cedar Rapids within three months from the date
of employment. An additional three months may be granted by the City Council if
the employee provides documentation of financial commitment to move within the
residency area.
Quick Facts
·
Population:
134,268 (2021)
·
Median
Household Income: $58,511
·
Median
Home Value: $141,800
·
Median
Age: 36.3
All demographic information was sourced from the U.S.
Census Bureau.
Compensation
and Benefits
The expected
starting salary range will be commensurate with experience (no lower than
$170,000 and may begin higher, depending on experience). Learn more about the
City’s excellent benefit options here.
How to Apply
Applications
will be accepted electronically by The Novak Consulting Group at https://bit.ly/3xL2gjo. Applicants complete a brief online form and are
prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Apply immediately, but applications
will be accepted through August 30, 2021.
