Assistant City Attorney IV - Municipal Operations

City of Austin•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the City Attorney, this position provides legal services to and on behalf of the City. This role involves providing advanced legal advice, conducting complex legal research and writing, and acting as a lead representative in significant legal matters. The position may also involve supervising other attorneys or staff and providing mentoring and training to lower-level attorneys. The Municipal Operations Division attorneys advise City Council and City staff on matters relating to finance, procurement, leases, permits, economic development, budget, transportation, public health, and construction. The work is primarily transactional but may include supporting litigation and participating in alternative dispute resolution. Attorneys advise City Council in writing and through presentations, and may be responsible for negotiating and drafting contracts, conducting regulatory research, and reviewing/drafting legal memoranda, resolutions, ordinances, City Code amendments, and other legal instruments.

Requirements

Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited school of law.
Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
Twelve (12) full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.
Knowledge of substantive laws applicable to Texas local governments.
Knowledge of the City of Austin Charter, Code, and administrative policies and procedures.
Knowledge of relevant court procedures and rules of evidence.
Ability to communicate and present analysis and information both orally and in writing in a clear and effective manner.
Ability to conduct thorough and accurate legal and factual research relevant to the job assignment.
Ability to analyze and problem solve in a timely fashion on legal issues relevant to the job assignment.
Proficiency in use of Departmental computer systems and technology.
Effective law office organizational skills.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, schedule interruptions, and shifting time deadlines.
Ability to conform to Departmental administrative procedures and requirements.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
License to practice law issued by the State Bar of Texas.

Nice To Haves

Experience in construction law, infrastructure projects, public works, or related public contracting matters.
Advising clients on construction matters, construction disputes, and/or alternate methods of project delivery.
Advising clients on public procurement, bids, and contractor performance issues.
Drafting and negotiating contracts and updating standard form contracts and agreements based on changes in laws, rules, and regulations.
Handling pre-litigation disputes, claims, and resolutions.
Representing clients in alternative dispute resolution procedures, and monitoring and assisting with litigation cases.

Responsibilities

Provides advanced level legal advice to elected officials and senior and executive management on highly complex issues that may have high political/ financial impact.
Performs research on complex legal issues with a high level of political or financial impact.
Prepares legal documents on complex legal matters.
Acts as a lead representative of the City in complex internal and external legal matters that have significant political/financial impact.
May supervise other attorneys or staff on an acting or interim basis.
Provides substantial mentoring and training to lower-level attorneys on legal issues and legal skills.
May lead project teams or cross-Divisional work teams.
Advises City Council in writing as well as by presenting at City Council meetings, both in public and in executive sessions.
May be responsible for negotiating and drafting contracts, conducting regulatory research, reviewing, and drafting legal memoranda, resolutions, ordinances, City Code amendments, agenda postings, and other legal instruments.