Assistant City Attorney

Cities, Inc.; North Port (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Nort Port, FL is seeking a licensed attorney to provide a broad range of municipal legal services to the City Commission, departments, and committees. Under the City Attorney, you will research complex issues, draft opinions, and prepare contracts and ordinances.

You will attend City Commission meetings, keep current with laws, and advise staff on public policy. Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal research.
• Proficient in drafting opinions, resolutions, and contracts.
• Strong English writing, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal law to municipal matters.

Responsibilities

• Assists the City Attorney by providing legal services for the City as assigned.
• Represents and advises City departments and boards in matters requiring an attorney.
• Conducts legal research concerning complex problems or projects; drafts opinions.
• Drafts, reviews, and analyzes resolutions, ordinances, and other proposed legislation.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, leases, real estate instruments, and other legal documents.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Ordinance drafting

Contract review

Public speaking

Policy analysis

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Job description

General Description

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, provides a wide range of professional legal services to the City Commission, City departments and advisory boards and committees.Performs related administrative and professional work as required.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists the City Attorney by providing legal services for the City as assigned.
• Represents and advises City departments and boards in matters that require the professional services of an attorney.
• Conducts legal research concerning complex problems or projects; drafts opinions containing recommendations or solutions.
• Drafts, reviews, and analyzes resolutions, ordinances, and other proposed legislation of a unique or complex nature.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, leases, real estate instruments, and other legal documents of a unique or complex nature.
• Confers with and assists City departments in drafting internal policies, procedures, and templates.
• Attends City Commission meetings, workshops, and advisory board meetings as assigned.
• Keeps up to date on relevant court decisions, administrative decisions, legislation, and issues pertaining to local government law and related municipal matters.
• Coordinates with special counsel, manages administrative matters and litigation, and attends hearings as assigned.
• Makes presentations in public meetings and provides training to public officials and staff.
• Communicates with City leadership on progress of assigned legal work and its timely completion.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Substantive knowledge of relevant state and federal law and their application to the essential functions of the job.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe.
• Skilled in conducting research on complex legal issues and drafting sound legal opinions.
• Skilled in using small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to prepare and present cases in court, mediation, and arbitration.
• Ability to review and draft resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, and other legal documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in addressing complex legal problems.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage priorities, and multi-task while working in challenging and time sensitive situations with shifting priorities.
• Ability to organize work for timely completion.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships through contact and cooperation.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event.All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

The City of Nort Port, FL is an Affariative Action/ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.