Assistant City Attorney Senior Criminal

Exciting things are happening at the City of Sparks! If you are looking for a meaningful career that has a positive impact on the community, join our team!

The City of Sparks is seeking to hire one Assistant City Attorney Senior Criminal. This posting will be open until filled, with a first review of applications occurring by October 21, 2026. Application review dates may occur sooner, and the posting may be extended or close without notice as needed. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Only complete applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Candidates that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.

The Ideal Candidate: In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have previous work experience in a municipal setting and brings an enthusiastic, service-minded, "can-do" attitude. 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 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.
• ATTACHMENTS REQUIRED: remember to attach documented proof of qualifications, at time of application, to demonstrate you meet the qualifications at time of application, before submitting your application. Attaching your education and certification requirements (see qualifications section to determine what documents are required for attachment at time of application) will allow you to continue in the recruitment process. Failure to attach these requirements will constitute disqualification.
  • Candidates must attach documented proof of Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctorate
  • Candidates wishing to be considered must include a resume and cover letter

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 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. 

Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below, on their completed application, to continue in the recruitment process. If there are certifications or degrees that require proof of completion, be sure to attach them to your application before submission:

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 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. 

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

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 
• Must submit a fingerprint card and meet NCIC/CJIS requirements
• May be required to work during emergency circumstances or inclement weather conditions
• May be required to pass a pre-placement drug screen and background investigation

Complete application information including all certifications, degrees, transcripts and work experience are required to be submitted by the applicant at time of application in order for the application to be fully reviewed. Failure to submit the required and/or requested information may result in rejection of your application. 

Recruitment Communication

Human Resources will contact 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 ensure your email address is up to date, accurate, and accessible by you. 

Reasonable Accommodation

Human Resources will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants 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 hires and promotes applicants based on a competitive selection process, which may include any or all of the following: screening for minimum qualifications, examinations in relation to the job, interviews, or any combination which the City of Sparks may require.

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

Applicants moving forward in the selection process are subject to submitting for a background check that may include review of criminal records. Applicants with criminal records should note that a conviction will not necessarily bar the applicant from employment. When considering the applicant’s background and criminal record, the length of time that has passed since the offense, the age of the applicant at the time of the offense, the severity and nature of the offense in relation to the position for which the applicant has applied, and evidence of the rehabilitation of the applicant will be considered prior to an employment decision can be made.