Assistant City Attorney I

City of Pasadena, Texas; Pasadena (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Pasadena, Texas is seeking an Assistant City Attorney I to provide municipal legal services. Under general direction, the attorney advises staff and elected officials, drafts legislation, negotiates contracts, and supports enforcement actions. The role requires strong research, writing, and stakeholder communication skills.

Qualifications include a J.D. from an accredited law school and active Texas Bar membership.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited school of law.
• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Active membership in the State Bar of Texas.
• Preferred: Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services for the City of Pasadena under general direction.
• Advise City staff and officials in municipal law.
• Negotiate, draft, review contracts and real estate documents.
• Draft legislation, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies.
• Research and interpret laws for City Officials and staff.
• Attend public meetings and present to City Council and boards.

Skills

Municipal law knowledge

Contract drafting

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal relations

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Duties:

Under general direction, The Assistant City Attorney I, provides legal services on behalf of the City of Pasadena. Advises City staff and elected and appointed City Officials in all areas of municipal law. Assists Department Heads to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed. Negotiates, drafts, and reviews contracts, real estate documents, and agreements. Drafts legislation, code provisions, regulations, ordinances, amendments, resolutions, and guidelines or policies. Researches and interprets relevant laws, rulings, and regulations for City Officials and staff. Attends public meetings of City Council, boards and commissions and advises and addresses members in executive sessions or makes public presentations. Prosecutes on behalf of and defends the City in legal proceedings and advocates for the City in a wide variety of settings, including negotiations, dispute resolutions, mediations, trials, hearings, and administrative processes. Timely and appropriately responds to inquiries from the general public and media about public information and municipal regulations and procedures. Handles recoveries and collection of debts and fees owed the City. Follows matters threatening health, safety, and welfare of citizens and local neighborhoods, drafts ordinances to address such concerns, and prosecutes in municipal court for related violations. Represents the City in courts and administrative hearings if necessary, including preparation of legal briefs, development of strategy, arguments and testimony for pretrial, trial, and appellate matters and/or hearings (claims, lawsuits, mediations, arbitrations, settlements, expunctions, etc.) and legal counsel for proceedings before various other agencies or boards including TCEQ, EPA, FCC, Civil Service, Building and Standards, Planning and Human Resources (employee discipline & appeals, etc.). Supports preparations of emergency disaster plans procedures and forms, attends planning meetings, and may be called to serve in the emergency operations center in a state of emergency. Communicates official plans, policies and procedures to City staff. Compiles data, statistics or other information related to legal work done. Counsels City departments on the administration of federal and state regulated funds and grants, such as disaster recovery funds, FEMA, CDBG, HUD, TIRZ, etc. Provides legal support in capital improvement projects, property management, real estate transactions and eminent domain proceedings. Assists in acquisitions of rights-of-way and easements required for various City projects. Enforces residential deed restrictions to preserve neighborhoods and provides assistance to Neighborhood Network and Code Enforcement Divisions. Maintains knowledge of Federal and State law, court decisions affecting cities, as well as the City Charter and City Code provisions; advises City Officials and Department Directors of such changes to laws affecting City operations. Must have and maintain, without interruption, all necessary licenses, certifications, clearances, and/or job requirements. Works the assigned schedule and complies with City timekeeping and attendance policy. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited school of law. Valid Class 'C' Texas Driver's License. Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas. PREFERRED: Bilingual (English/Spanish). Previous experience in municipal law and with Class C misdemeanors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, and court decisions relating to municipal corporations, including the Public Information Act, Local Government Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Penal Code, procurement laws, etc.
• Knowledge of the City resolutions and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of the City departments.
• Knowledge of the judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of established precedents and source of legal reference applicable to City activities.
• Ability to analyze and prepare variety of legal documents.
• Ability to conduct research on legal problems and to prepare legal opinions.
• Strong ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with associates, City Officials, and the general public.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

The City of Pasadena offers very generous benefits to all full-time employees. For example:

• Employee-only medical insurance starts as low as $15 per month and the most expensive Employee & Family plan is less than $350 per month.
• The City has its own medical clinic staffed with a M.D. and two medical assistants. Employees and their covered dependents over the age of 5 can visit the clinic FREE OF CHARGE.
• Employees and their covered dependents also have access to Virtual Visits with a medical professional FREE OF CHARGE.
• The City offers college tuition reimbursement of up to $3,500 per year.
• As an employee, you will contribute a portion of your salary each pay-period towards your retirement and the City will match your contribution by 200%. Example, if you contribute $100, the City will contribute $200.
• Civilian employees accumulate vacation at the following rates:
  • Less than 6 years of service - two weeks of vacation per year.
  • From 6 to less than 11 years of service - three weeks of vacation per year.
  • From 11 to less than 21 years of service – four weeks of vacation per year.
  • From 21 to less than 26 years of service – five weeks of vacation per year.
  • From 26 years of service and up – six weeks of vacation per year.