General Counsel (Department of Metropolitan Development)

City of Indianapolis; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Indianapolis is seeking a licensed attorney to support the Department of Metropolitan Development in complex economic development and land-use matters. You will provide legal guidance on incentives, prepare legal documents, and collaborate with city departments and elected officials to advance catalytic development while ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

This role requires exceptional analytical ability, attention to deadlines, and strong communication with executives and

Qualifications

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited college or university.
• Valid Indiana law license.
• Strong research and evaluation methodologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Research federal, state, and local laws related to planning and land use to inform policy decisions.
• Assist DMD senior leadership in policy development.
• Review legal instruments and provide guidance on economic development tools.
• Prepare contracts, resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents.
• Advise on real estate development matters with Corporation Counsel oversight.
• Respond to public records requests and maintain knowledge of municipal law.

Skills

Legal research

Policy development

Project coordination

Oral and written communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Overview

This position is responsible for working with development partners using community development incentives to implement catalytic community and development projects. Provide insight and recommendations on policy development in order to align with federal, state and local programs, further DMD’s mission and vision of a thriving city. The position will work to leverage resources and ensure projects and programs are implemented effciently and in compliance with federal and local laws, regulations and guidelines. This position will work collaboratively with other city departments, other units of government, community partners and elected officials.

This position is responsible for working with development partners using community development incentives to implement catalytic community and development projects. Provide insight and recommendations on policy development in order to align with federal, state and local programs, further DMD’s mission and vision of a thriving city. The position will work to leverage resources and ensure projects and programs are implemented effciently and in compliance with federal and local laws, regulations and guidelines. This position will work collaboratively with other city departments, other units of government, community partners and elected officials.

Agency Summary

The purpose and mission of the Department of Metropolitan Development works to shape the city’s identity by strengthening all people and places, building upon our history, and fostering visionary development. The DMD agency envisions the city as a growing, vibrant, equitable, and beautiful city where people and businesses thrive in an inclusive and innovative community. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the residents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Handles complex research of federal, state and local laws and regulations related to planning, land use, zoning, and redevelopment law, economic incentive tools, and issues legal opinions to the Department of Metropolitan Development to inform policy decisions.
• Assists DMD senior leadership in developing policy for DMD.
• Reviews legal instruments and offers legal guidance for economic development initiatives under Indiana Redevelopment Law, including Tax Increment Financing, Tax Abatement, Payment in Leu of Taxes (PILOT), municipal bonds, and other related items.
• Prepares contracts, resolutions, ordinances, complaints, motions, briefs and other legal documents related to planning, land use, zoning, and redevelopment law, economic incentive tools.
• Leads and facilitates department wide projects initiates pertaining to statutorily defined procedures as assigned.
• With oversight by the Office of Corporation Counsel, provides legal counsel and guidance to the Department of Metropolitan Development pertaining to all aspects of real estate development, including any board of such department that makes recommendations to the City Council.
• With oversight by the Office of Corporation Counsel, drafts, negotiates, reviews, and advises on matters for major initiatives and special projects for DMD, the Mayor's Office and other agencies.
• With oversight by the Office of Corporation Counsel, drafts and negotiates project agreements, professional service agreements, leases, and renewals thereof, as well as provide legal advice concerning agreement disputes and terminations.
• Advise on matters related to the acquisition and disposition of real property interests by DMD.
• Advises other attorneys within the enterprise related to planning, land use, zoning, and redevelopment law, economic incentive tools.
• Research pertinent legal issues and draft memoranda summarizing findings.
• Review and draft City contracts and professional service agreements.
• Review and respond to various public record requests.
• Maintain current knowledge of municipal law and related subject areas.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited college of university is required. Valid legal license to practice law in the State of Indiana is required. Extensive knowledge of state and local law, particularly as they affect economic development and local land use, is required. Ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet various deadlines is required. Knowledge of legal research and evaluation methodologies is required. Excellent verbal and written communications skills is critical.

Working Conditions

Essential functions are regularly performed in an office setting without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Conditions

• Sitting at a desk the majority of the day
• Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10) pounds
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation
• Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals
• Tasks require the ability to communicate orally
  

All rates are bi-weekly.

2026 Rate Sheet - To view our rate sheet, please copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:67382b58-4d1a-4519-89d7-8453f91e19a1

Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month):

Basic: Employer Paid

Optional Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month)

Additional

25-29 $0.058
30-34 $0.083
35-39 $0.099
40-44 $0.132
45-49 $0.223
50-54 $0.363
55-59 $0.600
60-64 $0.795
65-69 $1.329
70 + $2.054

Important Perf Update

• For more information on eligibility options, refer to Proposal 21-288 https://bit.ly/3exq8yR
• All employees hired/rehired after 1/1/2022 have a choice to select the PERF Hybrid plan (3% + Pension) or the INPRS My Choice: Retirement Savings plan (3% + 1% Contribution). The Hybrid plan consists of two components:
  

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employee's career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the member's age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

• Employees hired/rehired by the City and County between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2021 will be automatically enrolled in the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan. This plan is an annuity savings account (ASA) only plan and does not have a pension component. Any service that an employee has in the My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan will not count toward the service time requirements for pension eligibility in the Hybrid Plan.
  

• 20 percent vested after 1 full year of participation
• 40 percent vested after 2 full years of participation
• 60 percent vested after 3 full years of participation
• 80 percent vested after 4 full years of participation
• 100 percent vested after 5 full years of participation
• All employees hired/rehired prior to 1/1/2017 are grandfathered into PERF Hybrid plan. The Hybrid plan consists of two components:
  

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employee's career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the member's age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

• City Employees hired/rehired between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/21 that are members of the City AFSCME labor union can choose to enroll in either the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan or the PERF Hybrid plan. Both plans are described above. Employees have 60 days to choose which option they want, and by state law this cannot be changed. If no choice is made, the employee will then be automatically added to the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan.

The Indiana General Assembly has enacted a provision that allows public employees to make voluntary contributions in addition to the mandatory three percent (3%) contributions. Employees may contribute up to an additional ten- percent (10%) of their compensation per pay period to the annuity savings account. This means that the maximum level of contributions to the annuity savings account under this new provision is thirteen percent (13%) of an employee's compensation per pay period.

Employees who separate from the city within their first ten (10) years of employment need to contact INPRS - PERF regarding their ASA account.

Questions relating to PERF may be directed to INPRS - PERF at:

Indiana Public Retirement System

Public Employees' Retirement Fund

One North Capitol, Suite 001

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

[phone]