Assistant City Attorney / City Attorney's Office #8080

For the current vacancy, an attorney with specialized experience in employment/labor law, contracts, procurement, and government financing is preferred. Knowledge of issues unique to Florida local government law such as public records and government in the sunshine is essential.

• Assists the City Attorney as legal counsel for the City in all municipal areas.
• Represents the City and its officers and employees in litigation matters, including preparation of pleadings, briefs, motions and other documents in preparation for trial of cases and handling of appeals. Appears before all federal and state courts and administrative agencies on behalf of the City.
• Reviews, drafts and approves ordinances, charter amendments, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, permits, licenses and other legal documents.
• Prepares written legal opinions and renders legal advice to City Council, boards, committees and City departments. Interprets federal, state, county and City statutes, ordinances, charters, rules, regulations, court decisions, etc.
• Confers with and renders assistance to City departments in establishing departmental policies by developing and applying legal points and procedures; recommends changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
• Attends meetings of the City Council, boards and committees to advise on legal matters.
• Conducts legal research as needed.
• Analyzes and reports proposed and enacted legislation.
• Maintains professional contact with other agencies as applicable.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Progression through levels based on City government expertise, institutional knowledge, ability to work independently, market/legal niche value, and depth/breadth of knowledge in legal areas.

• 0 years of experience in municipal government law.

• 6 years of experience in municipal government law.

• Over 10 years of experience in municipal government law.

• Requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Must have a membership in the Florida Bar.

• None.

• None.

• Legal principles and procedures, including civil, appellate and administrative law and procedures.
• General laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Court rules and rules of evidence.
• Methods of legal research, including computer research.
• Standard human resources practices and procedures.
• Proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar, and the application of such to a variety of formats and styles; editing principles and techniques.

• Critical thinking.
• Written, verbal, electronic, and visual communications for effective expression and clarity.
• The operation of various computer or other electronic devices and applications, to include Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Organization, attention to detail, prioritization, and time management.

• Learn and follow Federal, State, and City laws, regulations, methods, procedures, policies and practices and terminology as they pertain to the performance of duties of the position.
• Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.
• Prepare and effectively present cases in court.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, support staff, other departments, professionals, and members of the public.
• Learn the organization, practices, procedures and resources of City departments, boards and committees.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions, to include applying consistent courtesy and tact in considerable public contact and/or confrontational situations.
• Adapt to performing under frequent deadlines and/or in response to emergencies.
• Apply sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.
• Utilize various modern computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information received and processed.
• Utilize a variety of modern office equipment, i.e., computers, facsimile machines, copiers and scanners.
• Organize and review work for efficient results and accuracy.