City Attorney

City of St Joseph; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of St. Joseph seeks a City Attorney to provide legal counsel to the City Commission and City Manager.

The role involves advising on civil matters, prosecuting ordinance violations, drafting and reviewing contracts, RFPs, and real property documents, and guiding open meetings and FOIA compliance. The City may hire outside counsel for specialized matters, but the City Attorney will oversee legal administration across several disciplines.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active Michigan license to practice law.
• Knowledge of municipal law and city governance.

Responsibilities

• Advise City Commission, City Manager, and departments on legal matters.
• Draft and review City contracts, RFPs, leases, and ordinances.
• Represent the City in civil proceedings and oversee outside counsel as needed.
• Conduct legal research, prepare pleadings, and assist with FOIA and elections.
• Attend meetings and provide updates on ongoing matters.

Skills

Municipal law knowledge

Public administration knowledge

Legal research & writing

Communication skills

Advising clients (city officials)

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Michigan law license (active)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of St. Joseph is evaluating both direct employment and contractual arrangements for City Attorney services. A separate Request for Proposals (RFP) is available for qualified attorneys and law firms interested in providing services through a contractual arrangement. The City will evaluate both options before determining the arrangement that best meets its needs.

POSITION SUMMARY

Serve as the City’s legal counsel as described in the City Charter. Work at the direction of the City Commission and City Manager. Perform professional legal work required to advise and represent the City on civil matters and prosecution of ordinance violations. Perform related tasks as required.

Although the City may employ separate outside counsel, such as Bond, Bankruptcy, Litigation and Labor Counsel, this Job Description is intended to allow the City Attorney’s participation in the legal administration of those disciplines.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Appointed by the City Commission; works under the general supervision of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May exercise supervision of employees as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties: (These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform.)

• Provide verbal and written advice and opinions to the City Commission, City Manager, Department Heads, and City boards and commissions (as directed), with respect to their official functions and responsibilities, and legal compliance matters including the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.
• Review and draft, as requested, City Commission resolutions, policies, and procedures. Attend City Commission meetings and render legal advice as required.
• Work closely with and provide counsel to the City Manager and Department Heads (such as the City Clerk, Finance Director, Assessor, Public Safety Director, City Engineer, Building Official, Code Enforcement Officer, Public Works Director, Zoning Administrator, Development Director, and Human Resources Administrator), including reviewing general policy and strategic aspects of a problem and collaborating in developing solutions to issues of City concern.
  Review, draft, advise, and negotiate various documents, including City contracts, RFPs, leases, purchase agreements, grant proposals, City policies and procedures (including personnel, inspections, property maintenance and public safety matters);
• Work closely with the Development Director and Zoning Administrator on Zoning Ordinance application, interpretation, and amendment. Provide related legal advice. Attend monthly Zoning Board of Appeals meetings and Planning Commission meetings, as needed. Represent the City in appeals of related decisions.
• Attend quarterly Pension Board meetings, as needed.
• Advise the Clerk on election matters; serve as a member of the Election Commission.
• Oversee or represent the City, its officials, boards, commissions, and employees in civil proceedings to which they are a party or in which they have an interest, as requested, to include state and federal court matters. Perform duties required of such representation, including exploring alternate means of resolving conflict, conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, engaging in discovery, coordinating with the insurance carrier and defense counsel, court appearances, negotiation, and advice.
• Oversee or represent the City in employment matters, such as workers' compensation, unemployment, and civil rights claims.
  Prosecute City ordinance violations, including civil infractions and misdemeanors. Prepare complaints, warrants, subpoenas, and other documents as needed.
• Upon request, assist in the collective bargaining of labor contracts and assist the Personnel Department with the administration of said contracts. Assist the Personnel Department in dealing with the state and federal laws relating to personnel.
• Advise the City’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Coordinator. Advise/Coordinate with Department heads and employees to prepare responses to FOIA requests as appropriate. Represent the City in FOIA litigation as directed.
• Review, draft, advise and negotiate various documents related to real property interests, including deeds, covenants, easements, and licenses as required.
• Represent the City in real estate closings and related transactions.
• Assist with risk management and insurance coverage issues.
• Assist Assessor when necessary, including appearance, prosecution or defense of cases.
• Upon request, perform such other work of a civil nature as may be assigned or delegated by the City Commission.
• When requested, speaks to various groups, including the media, on legal matters of general concern to the City.
• Upon request, prepare requests for proposal (RFP’s) or recommendations regarding the employment of outside counsel.
• Prepare updates to the City Commission and City Manager to provide information of activities and status of ongoing matters quarterly and as requested.
• Such other legal advice, representation, and work as directed by the City Manager or City Commission.

The City Attorney shall not provide civil legal advice to private citizens as part of City Attorney duties.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability (KSA's) required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• A minimum of 5 years of municipal law experience, three of them in the State of Michigan.
• An active license in good standing to practice in the State of Michigan.
• Authority to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration to support the management of City operations.
• Knowledge of Federal and Michigan laws related to municipal activities and city governance, including related legal areas such as contracts, real property, and employment law.
• Familiarity with the City of St. Joseph Charter, Code of Ordinances, and Zoning Ordinance.
• Membership in the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and Government Law Section of the State Bar.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

An employee in this position works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

REQUIREMENTS

• A JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Knowledge of and skill in use of computer hardware, general software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public officials, community organizations, fellow employees, and the general public, frequently in stressful or contentious situations.
• Skill in legal research and writing, and making effective verbal and written presentations.
• A valid Michigan driver’s license is required.