02/01
City of San José
SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST (2127) (U)
CLASS PURPOSE
Under general direction of the Legal Services Administrator
and/or Legal Services Manager in the Offices of the City Attorney and General
Counsel, the incumbent performs supervisory and administrative work of
considerable difficulty in the management of legal support staff and services.
An incumbent in this class plans, coordinates, supervises and performs day to
day operational activities related to accounting, clerical, contract
administration, investigations, and paraprofessional legal duties for both
litigation and transactional services. Incumbents in this class will also
provide training to all support personnel. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not
include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which
may be performed.)
- Coordinate and supervise paraprofessional support for both litigation and
transactional services.
- Coordinate and supervise legal secretarial and general office support
services.
- Coordinate and supervise accounting support services.
- Establish and maintain policies and procedures for assigned areas of
responsibility, and monitor staff compliance.
- Draft and/or review a variety of complex legal documents, correspondence
and reports.
- Participate in the preparation of department budget including the
preparation of fiscal analysis of special operating proposals.
- Supervise the preparation and compilation of documents for the City
Council Agenda, and coordinate with the City Manager and City Clerk with
respect to City Council Agenda items.
- Participate in and coordinate investigations, analyses and the compilation
of a wide variety of information, materials, documents, reports and
evidence.
- Review and analyze claims filed against the City and Redevelopment Agency;
determine compliance with the Government Code; identify insurance of third
parties; evaluate legal liability and set initial monetary reserves.
- Prepare pleadings and other legal documents associated with workers’
compensation claims against the City; help coordinate and conduct the
investigation of these claims, including both fact finding and fraud
investigations.
- Coordinate other tasks related to claims, investigations, litigation, and
trial preparation, including preparation of witnesses and trial exhibits.
- Review and analyze legal documents and forms for completeness and
conformance to specific requirements set forth in applicable legal codes.
- Perform complex legal research and writing in support of attorneys.
- Provide case management or other support services to attorneys.
- Provide training, guidance and oversight to support staff.
Typical End Results Include
Provide direction and management of legal support staff to ensure the timely
completion of assignments with a high degree of quality, accuracy, and thorough
resolution of problems; establish and enforce departmental policies and
procedures; hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff; oversee contract
administration; coordinate and develop section work plan; assist with
preparation of budget; represent the City with a professional demeanor in all
public contact.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the highest level classification in the four level
Legal Analyst series. Incumbents in this class manage daily operational
activities for assigned functions including, but not limited to, accounting,
clerical, contract administration, investigations, and paraprofessional legal
duties for both litigation and transactions. Administrative, paraprofessional
legal duties and/or claim investigation work performed is of the greatest degree
of difficulty. This is a management classification responsible for the
supervision of support classes in the Offices of the City Attorney and General
Counsel.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Any one
position may not require all the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed, nor do
the examples cover all those required.)
- Knowledge of legal terminology, principles and practices.
- Knowledge of civil litigation practice and procedure including government
tort claims.
- Knowledge of the rules governing state and federal court practice and
procedure.
- Knowledge of workers’ compensation practice and procedures.
- Knowledge of report writing techniques and the principles of editing.
- Knowledge of supervisory principles.
- Knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and techniques.
- Knowledge of budget preparation techniques.
- Knowledge of City and Agency departments, programs, and services, for
obtaining information, materials and documentation.
- Knowledge of City and department rules, policies, and procedures.
- Knowledge of City government's organizational structure, functions, and
processes.
- Knowledge of methods and techniques of photography and investigation for
liability incidents, and of the preparation and presentation of evidence in
court cases.
- Knowledge of policies, procedures and role of the Office of the City
Attorney and General Counsel.
- Ability to manage assigned program, including development and
implementation of work plan.
- Ability to hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
- Ability to develop, maintain, and monitor compliance with Office policies
and procedures.
- Ability to analyze and apply applicable codes, laws, ordinances and
statutes.
- Ability to draft complex legal documents including pleadings, discovery,
contracts, loan and bid documents and resolutions.
- Ability to independently gather, analyze and interpret all types of
evidence, documents and/or facts.
- Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in
writing.
- Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
- Ability to understand and follow detailed written and oral directions.
- Ability to work well with all levels of employees, management, and the
public.
Competency Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the San Jose Municipal Code, City Charter, State and Federal
regulations relative to municipal tort liability.
- Knowledge of typical cases and claims against the City and Agency and
types of evidence needed for adequate defense.
- Knowledge of contract administration process.
- Ability to participate in the preparation of section budget.
- Ability to review and analyze legal documents.
- Ability to coordinate and participate in workers’ compensation
investigations.
- Ability to perform legal research and writing of a complex nature.
Training and Experience
Successful completion of a Baccalaureate Degree from an
accredited college or university and six years of related experience; or, any
combination of education and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills
and abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
Licenses/Certificates
Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
(Formerly Senior Legal Assistant); (2/2/86), (Rev. 1/25/91),
(Rev. & Ret. 1/15/98) (Rev. 2/13/01).
2127s001