Description

Under City Attorney administrative direction, performs advanced legal, administrative, and 
supervisory work, including but not limited to, directing, managing, supervising, and 
coordinating the activities and operations of various assignments and tasks; provides legal advice 
to City representatives and employees; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, 
departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative 
support to the City Attorney. Under the general direction of the City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney represents the City as 
legal counsel in civil and criminal matters, including administrative and court proceedings. 

Requirements

Must be able to effectively communicate with the general public, other City employees, 
management, the Mayor, City Council members, public officials and members of City 
advisory boards and commissions to offer advice on legal matters relating to the City.   

Must be able to instruct staff in legal matters.

 Must be able to prepare and/or direct the preparation of responses to legal questions, legal 
opinions, court papers, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, leases, and other legal 
documents. 

Manual/Physical: 
1. Must be able to monitor data and conditions affecting the City’s legal interests to 
determine compliance with laws and contracts.    
2. Must be able to prepare and present cases for trial. 
3. Must be able to try cases before municipal courts, including using demonstrative 
evidence in presenting legal positions. 
4. Must be able to bend, stoop, walk, and sit for long periods of time. 
5. Must be able to handle files and single pieces of paper frequently. 
6. Must be able to lift files, stacks of paper or reports, references and other materials. 
7. Must be able to search for items above and below desk level.   
8. Must be able to communicate via telephone, e-mail, face-to-face and any other means 
necessary. 
9. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally.     
10. Must be able to work a flexible work schedule, including before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m., 
as necessary to meet job duties, including but not limited to attendance at court hearings, 
City Council, commission, and board meetings. 
11. Must possess a valid Nevada driver’s license.  

Mental: 
1. Must be able to review issues affecting the City’s legal interests to determine 
compliance with laws and contracts; interpret, organize, and apply legal principles, 
both criminal and civil, to complex problems. 
2. Must be able to work closely with the City Attorney and outside counsel on City 
issues. 
3. Must be able to comprehend and make inferences from written material and verbal 
communication to provide legal representation and advice. 
4. Must be able to analyze narrative and statistical data to make recommendations. 
5. Must have excellent legal research and writing skills. 
City of Fernley Deputy City Attorney Job Description Page 2 of 7 
6. Must be able to conduct research of federal and state laws, City ordinances, and case 
law. 
7. Must be able to assist in the review, development, and administration of department 
budget. 
8. Must be able to recommend and implement office procedures to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the office, at the direction of the City Attorney. 
9. Must be able to supervise and evaluate the work of support staff. 
10. Must be able to attend various board, commission and City Council meetings to 
advise on legal problems and questions.   
11. Must be able to review, analyze, and evaluate reports, requests for criminal 
complaints, and evidence gathered from law enforcement personnel to determine 
whether a request is justified or whether additional evidence is needed. 
12. Must be able to determines and authorize charges filed; prepare complaints, 
affidavits, warrants, and summonses; prepare motions and other pleadings for court; 
prepare cases and witnesses for court; serves as the Deputy City Prosecutor in  
criminal misdemeanors that are cited into the Fernley Municipal Court. 
13. Must be able to conduct legal research and analyses; interpret and apply statutes, 
regulations, court decisions, and other legal authorities to use in preparing legal 
briefs, motions, and cases. 
14. Must be able to prepare pleadings, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in 
connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings; prepare responses to 
opposing counsel's motions or briefs. 
15. Must be able to prepare legal documents; conduct discovery; negotiate, settle, and try 
civil cases. 
16. Must be able to provide advice and guidance to law enforcement personnel and others 
on criminal procedures and proceedings 
17. Must be able to assume management responsibility as assigned for the projects, 
services, and activities within the City Attorney's Office including Civil or Criminal 
Division services and operations. 
18. Must be able to draft, review, evaluate, and revise City ordinances, policies, and 
procedures; explain and promote City policies and issues to employees, elected 
officials, and the general public. 
19. Must be able to perform legal research and provide legal opinions to educate City 
Council, City management, City departments, board, commissions, agencies, and 
established committees regarding specific laws, contracts, and agreements. 
20. Must be able to prepare, file, research, and represent the City in administrative 
agency, state, and federal appellate actions. 
City of Fernley Deputy City Attorney Job Description Page 3 of 7 
21. Must be able to serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; 
prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence. 
22. Must be able to provide responsible staff assistance to the City Attorney; conduct a 
variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend 
modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate. 
23. Must be able to attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain 
awareness and attend training for new trends and developments in the field of 
municipal law; incorporate new developments as appropriate. 
24. Must be able to as assigned, provide representation of the City Council and the City's 
managers and employees in their official capacity.