Assistant City Attorney II

NACBA; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The NACBA seeks a dedicated Assistant City Attorney II to support the City Attorney in a broad range of municipal legal matters. The role provides direct assistance on special projects and may act for the City Attorney in their absence, while handling administrative and managerial functions to keep the City Attorney’s Office efficient.

The position requires strong independent judgment, high-level legal analysis, and the ability to advise City leaders and departments on complex matters with

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Florida Bar with eight years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.
• Extensive experience practicing law in the public sector, with expertise in local government law.
• At least three years of supervisory or management experience overseeing attorneys.
• Significant experience handling complex litigation and/or complex legal matters related to local government operations.

Responsibilities

• Supervises subordinate attorneys, paralegals, and staff and guides other attorneys on matters.
• Acts on behalf of the City Attorney in their absence, including meetings, opinions, and official matters.
• Represents the City in litigation, including appellate matters with substantial financial exposure or complex issues.
• Conducts legal research and develops opinions on complex factual and policy issues.
• Prepares, reviews, and approves ordinances, resolutions, leases, contracts, and interlocal agreements.
• Develops legal strategy and serves as lead counsel on major matters with significant implications.
• Makes independent legal determinations aligned with policy, precedent, and effectiveness.
• Conducts investigations, negotiations, and legal analysis on high-priority issues affecting the City.
• Interacts with elected officials, executive leadership, and senior attorneys in both public and private sectors.

Skills

Municipal law

Legal research

Written & oral communication

Judgment under pressure

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Florida Bar admission

Job description

Overview

The Assistant City Attorney II serves as an assistant to the City Attorney and performs highly responsible legal work involving a broad range of complex municipal legal matters. The position assists in providing comprehensive legal services to the City Council, City Manager, departments, boards, and commissions.

This position provides direct assistance to the City Attorney on special projects and assignments and may, at times, act on behalf of the City Attorney in their absence. The Assistant City Attorney II also performs a wide variety of administrative and managerial functions necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the City Attorney’s Office, including coordination of office procedures and records management.

Work is characterized by a high degree of professional independence, judgment, and responsibility in addressing complex legal, factual, and policy issues affecting municipal government operations.

Responsibilities

• Exercises some administrative supervision over subordinate attorneys, paralegals, and clerical personnel, and provides guidance to other attorneys on assigned matters.
• At the direction of the City Attorney, acts on behalf of the City Attorney in their absence, including attending meetings, rendering legal opinions, and representing the office in official matters.
• Represents the City and its departments in litigation, including appellate matters, involving significant financial exposure or complex legal issues.
• Serves in an advisory capacity, conducting legal research and developing opinions involving complex factual, legal, and policy issues requiring extensive analysis and evaluation of expert information.
• Prepares, reviews, and approves ordinances, resolutions, leases, contracts, interlocal agreements, and other proposed legislation of a complex or unique nature.
• Develops legal strategy and serves as lead counsel in litigation and legal matters of substantial importance involving significant financial or policy implications.
• Makes independent legal determinations on matters of substantial importance, subject to review for consistency with policy, precedent, and overall effectiveness.
• Conducts independent investigations, negotiations, and legal analysis on high-priority matters affecting the City.
• Represents the City Attorney’s Office, elected officials, and departments in conferences, hearings, trials, and other proceedings.
• Assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of subordinate attorneys and staff.
• Provides direct assistance to the City Attorney on special projects, initiatives, and administrative functions.
• Interacts regularly with elected officials, executive leadership, and senior attorneys in both the public and private sectors.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Florida municipal law, administrative law, constitutional law, and local government regulations.
• Strong knowledge of legal research methods, case law analysis, and statutory interpretation.
• Ability to apply computer systems, legal research tools, and standard office software applications.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively to non-legal audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, employees, court officials, and the general public.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound legal judgments under pressure.

Physical and Mental Demands

The work is primarily sedentary and requires exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible force frequently to move objects. Required physical and mental abilities include:

• Fingering: Use of hands and fingers for typing, drafting, and document preparation.
• Hearing: Ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone, and to hear audio recordings when necessary.
• Speaking: Ability to clearly communicate ideas and legal instructions verbally, including in meetings and hearings.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to exercise sound judgment, reasoning, and decision-making in complex legal matters.
• Repetitive Motion: Frequent use of wrists, hands, and fingers for computer and document work.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a dynamic professional environment that requires flexibility, responsiveness, and the ability to adjust to changing priorities, legal demands, and operational needs. Attendance at evening meetings, hearings, and emergency activations may be required.

Disclaimer

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or skills required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school; or admission to the Florida Bar plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.
• Extensive experience practicing law in the public sector, with demonstrated expertise in local government law.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing attorneys.
• Significant experience handling complex litigation and/or complex legal matters related to local government operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising elected officials, constitutional officers, or large municipal organizations.
• Experience managing or leading a public sector legal office or division.
• Experience in high-exposure litigation, appellate advocacy, or policy-driven legal work.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License (or Commercial Driver’s License, if required by assignment).
• Ability to work varied schedules, including evenings, weekends, emergency operations, and disaster response assignments as required.
• Must maintain active membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.
• Additional certifications, skills, or credentials may be required depending on assignment.