Staff Attorney

City of Portsmouth; NH; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Vacation & holidays

Medical & dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Professional development

Career growth

Longevity incentives

Job summary

The City of Portsmouth is seeking a Staff Attorney to join the Legal Department. You will advise and represent the City across municipal operations, collaborating with the City Attorney and departments to provide cost-effective legal services.

Starting salary is $84,758.73–$103,024.77 per year on the Non-Union Salary Schedule. Hours are 37.5 per week with a standard city workweek. Generous benefits and professional development opportunities are included.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of legal research methods and sources.
• Knowledge of municipal law, contracts, torts, administrative processes, and real property.
• Ability to negotiate, persuade, and communicate clearly in writing and verbally.

Responsibilities

• Review and respond to public records requests.
• Prepare contracts, bids, proposals, ordinances, deeds, and easements; assist with real estate documents.
• Conduct legal research and stay current on municipal law developments.
• Advise City officials on legality of actions and represent City in legal proceedings.

Skills

Legal research

Municipal law

Contracts

Torts

Administrative processes

Real property

Negotiation

Oral/written communications

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor Degree

Job description

The City of Portsmouth is seeking a motivated and service-oriented Staff Attorney to join its Legal Department. In this role, you will work closely with the City Attorney and municipal departments to provide legal advice and representation on a wide range of matters affecting city operations. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney interested in municipal law, public service, and local government operations.

Starting salary range: $84,758.73- $103,024.77 a year per the Non-Union Salary Schedule

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Schedule: Monday: 8am-6pm, Tuesday-Thursday: 8am-4:30pm, and Friday: 8am-1pm

The City offers a generous compensation and benefits package that includes retirement paid time off including vacation holidays medical & dental insurance flexible spending account professional development career growth longevity incentives and more!

• retirement paid time off including vacation holidays
• medical & dental insurance
• flexible spending account
• professional development
• career growth
• longevity incentives
• and more

NATURE OF WORK

The Staff Attorney supports the Legal Department’s mission to provide quality, efficient, cost-effective legal services to the municipality. The City Legal Department advises and represents all the disparate elements of the City government, including the General Government, the School Department, the Police Department, the Fire Department and all the various boards, commissions, and committees.

Incumbent will communicate effectively with the public and representatives of the municipality. Incumbent will, among other duties, review and prepare contracts, easements and respond to public records requests. Work will be completed both independently and collaboratively.

SUPERVISION

The Staff Attorney will work under the direction of the City Attorney, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or extension of, the position. Other duties may be required and assigned by the supervisor.

• Review and respond to public records requests.
• Review and prepare contracts, bids and proposals, ordinances, deeds and easements, lease agreements and other real estate related documents or agreements.
• Assist with Code Enforcement actions.
• Conduct legal research.
• Stay current on matters of municipal law.
• Research and prepare proposed ordinances and resolutions and proposed amendments to existing ordinances.
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning pending matters.
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and review publications and other materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Respond to the public’s questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Prepare cases for trial, examining law and evidence subject to review and assistance by a superior.
• Provide legal representation for City in legal proceedings to which the City is a party.
• Advise the City Council, City Manager, department heads, and other city personnel on the legality of proposed actions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, materials, and references utilized in legal research.
• Knowledge of municipal law, torts, contracts, administrative processes, and real property sufficient to identify issues and perform assigned work.
• Ability to negotiate with and persuade others, including both individuals and groups.
• Ability to present both routine and complex issues verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable memoranda containing findings and recommendations.
• Ability to operate or quickly learn devices and applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up assignments with minimum direction.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, legal memoranda, correspondence and other written materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees in other municipal departments, City administrators and officials, and members of the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, City staff, and government officials at all levels.

ENVIRONMENT, WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT

Incumbent must prioritize and perform duties and/or solve problems in a timely manner to ensure work is completed smoothly and efficiently as possible to meet critical deadlines. Incumbent has access to confidential information. Errors can result in significant delays or loss of service, government fines and monetary loss, or legal repercussions.

Incumbent has frequent contact with all City Departments to provide or receive information and assistance and to respond to inquiries regarding issues and procedures. Contacts are usually made in writing, in person, texting, via e-mail, and on the telephone.

Minimal physical effort required in performing duties under typical office environment. May involve moderate moving, lifting and carrying of small equipment.

Spends extended periods at workstations performing tasks requiring eye-hand coordination, finger dexterity and viewing computer screens.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this position should have a Juris Doctor Degree and be admitted to the New Hampshire Bar or be eligible for immediate admission by waiver. Legal experience is preferred but not required.

A valid driver’s license is required.

(The above descriptions are illustrative. They are intended as guides for personnel actions and are not complete itemizations of all facets of any job.)

DISCLAIMER

The essential functions and duties described herein are normal for this position. They are intended as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similarly related or a logical assignment to or extension of the position. Other duties may be required and assigned by the supervisor. The City of Portsmouth is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The City is committed to providing access to equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact our Human Resources Director by phone [phone].

APPLICATION SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Finalist must complete pre-employment screening, drug testing, & background check.