Assistant City Attorney IV - Municipal Operations

City of Austin•Austin, TX

4d•$110,100 - $140,900•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the City Attorney, this position provides legal services to and on behalf of the City. The role provides advanced legal advice to elected officials and senior and executive management, performs complex legal research, prepares legal documents, and represents the City in complex internal and external legal matters that may have significant political or financial impact. The position may supervise attorneys or staff on an acting or interim basis and provides substantial mentoring and training to lower-level attorneys. It may also lead project teams or cross-Divisional work teams. The Municipal Operations Division advises City Council and City staff on complex matters involving finance, procurement, leases and permits, economic growth and development, budget, transportation, public health, and construction. The work is primarily transactional and may include supporting the Litigation Division and participating in alternative dispute resolution. The attorney may negotiate and draft contracts and other legal instruments, conduct regulatory research, prepare legal memoranda, and advise City Council in writing and through presentations at public meetings and executive sessions. The position offers a 40-hour work week with flexible work hours and a hybrid schedule of three remote days and two on-site days, subject to City policy and supervisor approval. On-site work is primarily at Austin City Hall or another location designated by a supervisor. Attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office are not governed by the City’s non-sworn Municipal Civil Service rules.

Requirements

Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited school of law.
Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
Twelve full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.
License to practice law issued by the State Bar of Texas.
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 clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
Ability to conduct thorough and accurate legal and factual research relevant to job assignments.
Ability to analyze and solve legal problems in a timely manner.
Proficiency in the use of departmental computer systems and technology.
Effective law office organizational skills.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, schedule interruptions, and shifting deadlines.
Ability to conform to departmental administrative procedures and requirements.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

Experience in airport law, including airport governance, operations, capital projects, and regulatory compliance.
Knowledge of relevant aviation law, federal grants, and transportation regulations.
Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and agreements.
Ability to represent an airport in complex negotiations and stakeholder meetings involving multiple parties.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced legal advice to elected officials and senior and executive management on highly complex issues, with minimal or no supervision.
Conduct research on complex legal issues with significant political or financial impact.
Prepare legal documents concerning complex legal matters.
Act as a lead representative of the City in complex internal and external legal matters with significant political or financial impact.
Advise City Council and City staff on complex Municipal Operations matters, including finance, procurement, leases and permits, economic growth and development, budget, transportation, public health, and construction.
Negotiate and draft contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, agreements, City Code amendments, agenda postings, legal memoranda, and other legal instruments.
Present legal advice to City Council at public meetings and in executive sessions.
Support the Litigation Division on cases involving Municipal Operations projects and participate in alternative dispute resolution processes as needed.
May supervise other attorneys or staff on an acting or interim basis.
Mentor and train lower-level attorneys on legal issues and legal skills; may lead project teams or cross-Divisional work teams.