Program Associate - Nuisance Abatement

Overview

Position is responsible for supporting the nuisance abatement program and other Department of Business and Neighborhood Services staff with legal case preparation, review, and tracking. The position acts as a liaison between the City Prosecutor, Administrative Law Judge, and BNS staff in order to facilitate administrative hearings relative to the Revised Code of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis - Marion County. Position will advocate and present evidence on behalf of the City at administrative law hearings, including inoperable vehicle, high weeds and grass, and unsafe building hearings. Position will respond to inquiries and provide information to the public, other City departments, other public agencies, and outside counsel regarding administrative hearings. Position will provide administrative support for hearings and other legal functions within BNS including preparing case files and sending notices of hearing and decision letters for licensing, inoperable vehicle, and high weeds and grass hearings. Position will also provide administrative assistance in preparation of legal documents for multi-agency sweeps and track the legal results on behalf of BNS and Office of City Prosecutor.

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Presents evidence and advocates on behalf of the City at administrative law hearings, including inoperable vehicles, high weeds and grass, and unsafe building hearings.
• Provides administrative support for hearings and case preparation by compiling documents and research for presentation at administrative hearings.
• Reviews legal cases for quality, compliance and uniformity for prosecution in coordination with the Legal Case Specialist- Supervisor.
• Coordinates legal case file corrections.
• Records and documents administrative law hearings.
• Reviews default and agreed judgments, fines, and penalties resulting from administrative hearings and record these into the Citation Collection Services system.
• Develops positive working relationship with members of the Citation Collection Services staff to ensure quality assurance and court dockets are correct.
• Assists the Multi-Agency Sweeps Coordinator as needed with sweeps preparation, sweeps attendance, and other sweep duties as assigned by management.
• Assists the Multi-Agency Sweeps Coordinator as needed with Unsafe Building invoice review, submission, and property lien questions.
• Responds to inquiries and provide information as appropriate to the public, other City divisions or departments, other public agencies, and outside counsel regarding administrative hearings.
• Serves as a liaison between the City Prosecutor, administrative law judge, and BNS staff on matters pertaining to case management.
• Works closely and fosters good relationship with the Business Licensing Division for hearing tracking, scheduling, data management, case management system updates, and other projects in partnership with Business Licensing to improve processes and effectiveness of nuisance cases, sweep cases, and other legal issues.
• Analyzes and interprets applicable codes, laws, ordinances, and statutes.
• Observes and solves operational and technical policies and procedures.
• Organizes litigation files, evidence and documents for effective analysis and presentation.
• Monitors, tracks, and documents all hearings conducted into the case management system.
• Records court proceedings and prepare minute entries, motions, and decision letters.
• Prepares, coordinates, and sends notices of hearing.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless legal case review.
• Coordinates submission of citations for Citation Collection Services.
• Investigate, collect and compile a wide variety of materials, documents, reports and evidence.
• Prepares a variety of legal forms and documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Documents and track legal outcomes of multi-agency sweeps and case management system and other excel/word documents that are prepared for various City agencies, including the Mayor’s Office.
• Fosters positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

  This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field of study. (One year of related experience may be substituted for each year of formal
education.) General understanding of legal terminology, methods and techniques of legal research preferred. Excellent
communication skills, both written and verbal, are required. Strong computer skills are required including experience
with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access. Attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and organizational skills are
essential. Ability to deal fairly and courteously with the public and handle multiple cases and assignments. Ability to
understand the jurisdictional requirements of environmental court and administrative law hearings. Must be able to
establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Must be able to work
independently, to both identify problems/issues and their resolution. Demonstrated ability to work within a team and
independently as well as creativity and initiative in solving complex problems. Must be flexible to the varying degree or
work responsibilities based on departmental need and be willing to take on projects, as designated by management.

Independent Judgment

Established ordinances, policies, and procedures often guide actions. Independent judgment is regularly utilized when
there are no available policies and procedures. Independent judgment is required to act as an advocate on behalf of
the City and make decisions regarding the City’s requests at hearings. Errors in judgment may cause inconsistencies
and inconveniences as well as regulatory, budgetary and legal issues. Seeks appropriate guidance from the Program
Manager- Nuisance Abatement and/or Legal Case Specialist – Supervisor as needed