Assistant City Attorney Senior Criminal

Are you looking for a meaningful career that has a positive impact on the community? If you answered YES, come join the City of Sparks! Aside from working for an organization that is dedicated to the community, you will also receive a generous and competitive salary and benefit package. Some benefits may include tuition reimbursement, bilingual pay (when applicable) and retirement plans. People who come to Sparks, stay in Sparks.

The Ideal Candidate: In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have an enthusiastic, service-minded, "can-do" attitude and will have previous work experience in a municipal setting.

Are you the ideal candidate? If so, apply now!

Application Tips:

• COMPLETELY fill out and update your general online application before attaching it to any new job posting. HR reviews information listed on the application submitted to the specific job posting. HR does NOT use personnel files in the screening process. 
• Contact information: use an email address you can easily access at any time.
• The Qualifications section below is your guide to understand what the City is looking for on your application, use this to your advantage. It is up to the candidate seeking employment/promotion to include all relevant information for qualification purposes, on the application the candidate submits to be considered for the job.
• DO attach: licenses/transcripts/certificates that will demonstrate you meet the education or certification requirements (see qualifications section to determine what documents to attach) or preferred experience/education.
• DO NOT attach resumes or cover letters. The City of Sparks does not review these items with the application. 

This recruitment is scheduled to close on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM PST, but may close sooner without notice if/when early recruitment decisions are made. If interested, do not wait to apply as applications will not be accepted once the position has closed.

If you have any questions, please email hrstaff@cityofsparks.us. The City of Sparks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, performs a full range of professional level criminal legal work involved in prosecuting misdemeanor crimes. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the senior level non-supervisory class in the Assistant City Attorney series, fully capable of working independently on the most complex criminal litigation matters and directing and training staff. Incumbent may be assigned to any of three (3) classes depending upon experience and proficiency gained. 

Qualifications:

Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications to continue in the recruitment process:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate and three (3) years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of criminal law.  

Licenses and Certificates:

Must possess within thirty (30) days of hire and maintain throughout employment, the equivalent to a valid Nevada Class C driver's license.

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada, at time of hire and maintain active license throughout employment. Must be admitted to the Nevada State Bar at time of hire and remain an active member throughout employment. 

Examples of Essential Duties:

Advise law enforcement on constitutional and criminal law issues pertaining to prosecution.

Prosecute all criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the Sparks Municipal Court from inception to appeal. Review cases for probable cause. Charge misdemeanors. Negotiate pleas or resolution, at pretrial and at trial. Communicate with attorneys, defendants, victims and witnesses. Handle all aspects of litigating the misdemeanors including trials and appeals.

Research legal problems and prepare opinions, ordinances, and other legal documents.

Represent the City in specialty court programs and in administrative hearings before City boards and commissions and state and federal agencies on an assigned basis. Represent the City in cases encompassing a wide variety of criminal subject matter, including all phases of pretrial and trial work. 

Appear at weekend bail hearings on behalf of the City. Conduct in-custody arraignments. Review cases submitted by the Sparks Police Department misdemeanor unit for possible issuance of warrant or summons. 

Advise and facilitate communication and exchange of information between client agencies and agencies outside of the City. 

Ensure the maintenance of records. Complete and compile reports of work performed.

Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions in criminal matters. Evaluate their impact on City operations and recommend appropriate action.

Assist other attorneys in all phases of legal work on more complex litigation. Attend meetings of boards and commissions as assigned by the City Attorney.

Provide on call services to the police department on an as needed basis or as assigned. 

Perform other duties which may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of Nevada Revised Statues and Sparks Municipal Code 
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting criminal prosecutions
• Knowledge of municipal government organization, structure and functional responsibilities 
• Knowledge of criminal and administrative procedure 
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer applications and software related to the work including but not limited to, Microsoft Office
• Ability to practice effective techniques in the presentation of litigation, judicial procedures and rules of evidence 
• Ability to analyze problems and issues and perform legal research, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations in criminal matters
• Ability to prepare clear, concise and legally sufficient resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, permits, reports, correspondence and other written materials
• Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically 
• Ability to represent the City effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings with others 
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters 
• Ability to effectively communicate messages and positions on behalf of the City
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during work
• Ability to train others in work procedures

Physical Demands:

Requires ability to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment.

SUPPLEMENTAL JOB POSTING INFORMATION

• This position is Exempt under FLSA guidelines
• This position is at-will and exempt from the Regulations of the Civil Service Commission 
• This position reports to the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorney
• Supervision exercised: Direct the work of support staff and act as a resource to City staff 
• May be required to work during emergency circumstances or inclement weather conditions
• Must submit a fingerprint card and meet NCIC/CJIS requirements
• May be required to pass a pre-placement drug screen and background investigation

Application and Recruitment Information:

You are required to submit any required documents as requested above, at time of application for further consideration. Failure to submit the required and/or requested information may result in rejection of your application. 

Recruitment Communication:

Human Resources will be contacting you at various stages of the recruitment process via email, even if you have chosen U.S. mail for prior application processes or for applications with other agencies. Please make sure your email address is accurate.

Reasonable Accommodation:

Human Resources will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled candidates in the selection process. If you have special needs, please notify the Human Resources office when you turn in your application or at least three (3) business days prior to the examination/interview by calling (775) 353-2345.

Disclaimer:

The City of Sparks reserves the right to select applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications for the position.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sparks/jobs/5089716/assistant-city-attorney-senior-criminal?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs