Assistant City Attorney

NACBA; Kissimmee (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NACBA is seeking a City Attorney to provide comprehensive legal services to the City Commission and City departments. The attorney will conduct legal research, draft ordinances and resolutions, and offer counsel on a wide range of municipal matters.

Occasional litigation and training of staff are expected. The position requires a JD, Florida Bar admission, and 2–5 years of relevant local government or land use experience, with the ability to manage investigations and stay current with evolving

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor degree and active Florida Bar membership.
• Minimum 2–5 years of professional legal experience in local government, land use or real estate law.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license.
• Must obtain FEMA ICS certifications within 6 months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Researches and drafts legal memoranda, ordinances, and board resolutions.
• Negotiates contracts, leases, and inter-local agreements.
• Provides legal counsel on issues and prosecutes ordinance violations.
• Represents the City in Court and before City boards.
• Monitors Federal and State legislation and prepares legal opinions.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting ordinances

Contract negotiation

Court representation

Legal counsel

Training staff

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

General Statement of Job

Assists the City Attorney in the legal representation of the City. Performs professional work in providing legal services necessary to the City Commission, City departments, boards and committees. An employee in this class provides research on legal questions, prepares resolutions and ordinances, issues legal opinions and legal documents and renders legal analysis pertaining to a variety of local government matters. Some litigation work may also be required. Work is performed under the direction of the City Attorney.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Researches and drafts legal memoranda, ordinances, and board resolutions.
• Negotiates contracts, leases, and inter-local agreements.
• Provides legal counsel on issues.
• Conducts investigations.
• Drafts contracts, ordinances and resolutions.
• Prosecutes ordinance violations.
• Represents the City in Court and before City boards.
• Monitors Federal and State legislation.
• Prepares and provides training on legal issues.

Additional Duties

• Attends Board meetings as may be required.
• Conducts training for City staff and board members, as assigned, on various legal issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties.

Minimum Education and Experience

Requires a Juris Doctor Degree, supplemented by a minimum of two (2) years to five (5) years of professional legal experience in local government, land use or real estate law. Must be a member in good standing of the Florida Bar. Must possess and maintain a valid state of Florida driver’s license. Must possess or obtain the most current FEMA 100, 200, 700, and 800 Incident Command System certifications within 6 months of appointment to the job. Experience practicing law in local government is preferred but not required.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited law school.

Additional Requirements

Knowledge of Municipal, County, State, Federal, common law, and constitutional law affecting the City. Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence. Some knowledge of City ordinances and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of City departments. Some knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.

Ability to prosecute. Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents. Ability to conduct research on legal problems and to prepare legal opinions.

Must be skilled in applying responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing reports and correspondence. Must be able to read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Must be able to offer training and assistance to fellow employees as necessary. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.