Salary : $73,435.00 – $106,340.00 Annually
Location : Peoria, IL
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: 2023D-17
Department: Legal Department
Opening Date: 09/25/2023
Description
SUMMARY: (I) Provides professional legal services and counsel for the City; conducts legal research, prepares or reviews legal documents, prepares written opinions on a wide variety of issues, and represents the City in court on various matters. (II) Provides full operating and skilled professional legal services and counsel for the City requiring the application of the majority of standard legal techniques to accomplish day-to-day duties; conducts legal research, prepares or reviews legal documents, prepares written opinions on a wide variety of issues, and represents the City in court on routine and more complex matters. (SR) Provides full operating and skilled professional legal services and counsel for the City requiring the application of a majority of standard to complex legal techniques to accomplish day-to-day duties; conducts legal research, prepares or review legal documents, prepares written opinions on a wide variety of issues, and represents the City in court on more complex legal matters. An ideal candidate would have strong customer service skills, experience working with a diverse workforce, the ability to function in a fast-paced environment and represent the City of Peoria to the general public in a professional manner.
INITIAL SCREENING DATE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)
Serves as City Prosecutor in routine cases.
Represents the City in routine litigation as assigned and performs research on a variety of legal problems.
Advises City departments and officials on legal matters.
Drafts ordinances, legal opinions, research papers, real estate contracts, and other legal documents.
Trains City employees in legal policies and procedures.
Advises, and represents City boards and commissions on legal issues.
Advises and represents City officials in labor negotiations, grievances, and labor-related litigation.
Subject to “on-call” response to situations requiring immediate legal advice or action.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer Typewriter
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)
- Carries out lead worker responsibilities including: training in job skills, assigning and directing work, making recommendations in performance appraisal, and reporting problems to supervisor.
- Represents the City in various complex litigations as assigned; primary area of concentration is in defending the City against personal injury lawsuits, unlawful arrest/excessive use of force lawsuits, and employment discrimination lawsuits.
- Provides legal advise to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, Department Directors, and other City employees, and City commissions.
- Prepares ordinances, legal opinions, research papers, real estate contracts, and other legal documents.
- Interviews members of the public seeking information or advice.
- Subject to “on-call” to respond to situations requiring immediate legal advice or action.
- Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: (I) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, supplemented with a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Illinois. (II) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, supplemented with a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university; and three to four years of related experience. State License to Practice Law and Federal Court, Central District of Illinois. (SR) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, supplemented with a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university; and six or more years of related experience. State License to Practice Law and Federal Court, Central District of Illinois. Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Supplemental Information
IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES: Knowledge of principles and practices of civil law, state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting City government; local government structure and operation and relationship to other public jurisdictions; and principles, practices, methods, and materials utilized in conducting legal research. Skill in using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of legal, informational, and statistical data and materials; researching, compiling, and summarizing statistical data and materials; organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction. Ability to learn ordinances and apply legal knowledge to a variety of problems; analyze legal documents; conduct research on legal problems and prepare opinions; draft legislation; speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions; train City employees regarding City Code and procedures and state and federal laws; read, analyze and interpret case law, professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations and define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
MENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Work environment is indoor office.
*Please notify the Human Resources Department if accommodations are required to participate in the selection process. *
PENSION PROGRAM: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF): Ten years required for vesting. IMRF Death Benefit – Annual Salary after 1 year’s service. IMRF Disability Benefit – 50% of Salary up to 30 months after 1 year’s service.
Employee Contribution (12.15%)
Social Security – 7.65%
IMRF – 4.50%
Employer Contribution (12.90%)
Social Security – 7.65%
IMRF – 5.25%
VACATION: No Vacation in first year of employment. Earn 6.67 hours per month.
1st Year of Service – 2 Weeks paid Vacation (Earned Monthly)
After 1 year of Service – 1 additional day earned per year up to 4 weeks
Employees can ‘Roll Over’ 1 year’s plus 1 week vacation accrual from year to year. Credit may be given to new hires for prior government service for accruals.
SICK LEAVE: 6.67 hours per month earned. No limit on total days accumulated. Limit of 120 days paid out upon termination. (Percentage of Career Salary)
PERSONAL LEAVE: Earn 2.67 hours per month.
In First Year of Service – Accrued monthly, up to 4 days per year
2 to 5 Years of Service – 4 days per year
5 Years and Over – 5 days per year
HOLIDAYS: 10 Paid Holidays per year.
MEDICAL/DENTAL INSURANCE: Coverage effective first day of the next month following completion of one calendar month of employment. Members may opt out of the City’s insurance program with proof of other coverage – coverage for dependents is optional. The City of Peoria Health Insurance offers two (2) plan options for coverage. Bi-weekly premiums for employees depend on which plan is selected. On your hire date, you will meet with City’s Patient Advocate to receive detailed information on the plans and the appropriate premium cost. Depending on plan selection, you can enroll in the Flexible Spending Program (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA).
LOW DEDUCTIBLE PPO PLAN
Member Only $47.71/per pay
Member + Partner $162.82/per pay
Member + Child(ren) $128.82/per pay
Member + Family $224.84/per pay
HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PPO PLAN
Member Only $23.86/per pay
Member + Partner $81.42/per pay
Member + Child(ren) $64.41/per pay
Member + Family $112.42/per pay
LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 group term Life Insurance and $50,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance – No cost to employee.
Optional Term Life Insurance: Opportunity for extra life insurance in amount up to annual salary (subject to insurance company approval). Employer pays half of monthly premium.
CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE: Savings accounts/loan accounts/checking accounts located at 505 NE Monroe, Peoria, IL 61602; Phone: (309) 494-8790; FAX: (309) 494-8793; Hours: 8am – 12pm and 1pm – 4:50pm, Monday through Friday.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Available on class-by-class basis, if funds are available, for job-related classes, based on prevailing rates at public institutions, based on grade, upon approval.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Three major 457 Plans available. Voya Financial, ICMA, and Nationwide Retirement Solutions
WORKER’S COMPENSATION: Self-Insured Plan.
RESIDENCY: You are required to establish residency with Peoria city limits within one year of employment. However, if you choose to waive the requirement, you must live within a twenty (20) mile radius of City Hall and give up 2% of your base pay for five (5) years. You will need to complete a Waiver of Residency form in the Human Resources Department.