Assistant City Attorney I - Freedom of Information Act Records & Collective Bargaining Attorney

City of Alexandria (VA)•Alexandria, VA

58d

About The Position

The Office of the City Attorney, legal counsel to the City of Alexandria, is accepting applications for a permanent full-time position of Assistant City Attorney I. This is professional legal work involving legal advice and representation in selected areas of municipal operations, specifically related to handling records requests and assisting the Collective Bargaining legal team. An Assistant City Attorney has responsibility to act as counsel for major City departments and offices. An incumbent in this class handles and reviews records requests which will involve providing clients with advice on a regular basis; conducting research; preparing ordinances and opinions; and assisting in litigation arising in this area. This position will also assist on an as needed basis providing guidance to departments as it pertains to the administration of collective bargaining contracts. This work is subordinate to any FOIA-related matters. An Assistant City Attorney works with the FOIA Paralegal and under the supervision of a Deputy City Attorney and the City Attorney. The incumbent will work with various departments related to records requests made pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The main tasks of the position are to ensure the proper processing of records requests and review records from all City departments and offices. The position will include performing research and preparing legal opinions; responding to inquiries and rendering legal advice to departments; assisting in defending lawsuits filed against the City; and performing regular trainings for client departments. It also may include attending meetings of City boards and commissions and advising them on legal issues pertaining to FOIA. The position will also serve as a member of the City's Collective Bargaining legal team on an as needed basis, assisting in interpreting contract provisions, advising on implementation issues, and supporting negotiations or fact-finding proceedings. This work is dependent on the volume of the FOIA-related work, which takes priority. About the Department The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice to City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City Manager and City Departments. We are responsible for drafting ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal papers. We represent the City in civil court to defend the City in actions taken against it and to initiate cases to enforce the City's laws and actions. Our office is also responsible for handling requests for public records, in compliance with FOIA and for serving as an adjudicator for parking ticket disputes.

Requirements

Graduation from a law school of recognized standing with a Juris Doctor degree.
Eligibility to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the ability to become so authorized within eight months of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with processing and reviewing records requests under FOIA and have the ability to work efficiently in IT applications specific to FOIA including but not limited to Gov QA and Adobe Pro.
Experience conducting legal research and drafting opinions
Drafting ordinances and resolutions
Excellent legal writing skills
Experience in dealing with inquiries from members of the public, staff, and local governing bodies.

Responsibilities

Ensure the proper processing of records requests
Review records from all City departments and offices
Performing research and preparing legal opinions
Responding to inquiries and rendering legal advice to departments
Assisting in defending lawsuits filed against the City
Performing regular trainings for client departments
Attending meetings of City boards and commissions and advising them on legal issues pertaining to FOIA
Assisting in interpreting contract provisions
Advising on implementation issues
Supporting negotiations or fact-finding proceedings