Assistant City Attorney I

NACBA; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Ocala seeks a licensed attorney to assist the City Attorney in representing the City Council. You will research legal issues, draft opinions and ordinances, and handle litigation before courts and administrative bodies.

Candidates must hold a Juris Doctor, be in good standing with the Florida Bar, and have at least five years of practicing attorney experience, preferably in municipal government. Professional conduct and collaboration with city leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree; active Florida Bar membership; 5+ years' experience in litigation or municipal government.

Responsibilities

• Researches legal issues as directed by the City Attorney.
• Drafts legal opinions for the City Manager, department heads and City Council.
• Drafts ordinances and resolutions for presentation to the City Council.
• Conducts legal research using records, journals, and other resources.
• Prosecutes and defends litigation before state and federal courts and administrative boards on behalf of the City of Ocala.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting

Litigation

Oral & written communication

Relationship building

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Contract Management

PowerPoint

Word Processing

Job description

This position assists the City Attorney in providing legal representation to the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Researches legal issues as directed by the City Attorney.
• Drafts legal opinions for the City Manager, department heads, other members of the senior leadership team for the City of Ocala and the City Council.
• Researches and drafts ordinances and resolutions for presentation to the City Council.
• Conducts legal research utilizing records, journals and other available resources.
• Prosecutes, defends and otherwise litigates the actions before state and federal courts and administrative boards and agencies on behalf of the City of Ocala.
• Effectively and positively represents the City of Ocala in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.
• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, other attorneys, members of the legal community, supervisors and managers.
• Performs the duties listed and assigned with professionalism and urgency.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Other Skills

• Knowledge of federal, state, county and city laws, ordinances and regulations.
• Knowledge of proper rules and procedures for managing state and federal lawsuits.
• Skill in researching and analyzing complex legal and day‑to‑day problems.
• Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to match deadlines with workload through proper scheduling.
• Ability to logically research and present alternate solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Departments supervised by this position include Legal. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Extensive knowledge of the City of Ocala's Ordinances and Charter provisions, and of State, Federal and Constitutional Law. Extensive knowledge of judicial procedures, rules of evidence and methods of legal research. Extensive knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities. Extensive knowledge of administrative and personnel law as they relate to the City of Ocala. Knowledge of City, State, Federal, and common law and constitutional law affecting City government to include law issues pertaining to public employment, expressive conduct, police misconduct, and other issues affecting municipal functions. Knowledge of established precedents and source of legal reference as well as judicial procedures and rules of evidence as applicable to City activities. Knowledge of municipal finance, taxation, construction and the acquisition of goods and services, including competitive bidding and contract award procedures in accordance with the Competitive Consultants Negotiations Act. Knowledge of the laws of Florida, federal laws relating to employment and discrimination, common law, administrative law and regulations, and local legislation pertaining to the city; municipal administration and organization. Skill in conducting research on complex legal issues and preparing sound legal opinions. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to prepare and try civil law cases before County, State and Federal Courts. Ability to effectively manage and resolve conflict while mitigating liability and risk to the City. Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in resolving complex legal problems. Ability to multi‑task while working with tight deadlines and shifting priorities. Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Ability to organize work for timely completion. Ability to write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings to include addressing public relations problems effectively, courteously and tactfully. Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Ability to plan, assign, and direct work of professional, para‑professional, technical and supervisory employees in a manner that promotes full performance to include blending people into teams when necessary and fostering open dialogue and participation; set clear objectives and measures and monitor process, progress and results. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, directors, managers and other employees, court officials and representatives of the court, and the general public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required.

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Member in good standing of the Florida Bar.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a practicing attorney with a preferred focus on litigation and/or city, county and/or local government law.

Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Operators Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.

Software Skills Required

• Basic: Contract Management, Presentation/PowerPoint, Word Processing/Typing.