Assistant City Attorney IV or V - General Counsel

City of Austin•Austin, TX

6d•$110,100 - $152,200•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant City Attorney IV or V provides legal services to and on behalf of the City of Austin under the direction of the City Attorney. Depending on level, the position provides advanced legal advice to elected officials and senior and executive management, conducts complex legal research, prepares legal documents, and represents the City in complex internal and external legal matters. Assignments may involve significant political or financial impact. The role may include supervising attorneys or staff on an acting or interim basis, mentoring and training lower-level attorneys, and leading project teams or cross-Divisional work teams. Attorney positions in the Austin City Attorney's Office are not governed by the City's non-sworn Municipal Civil Service rules. The General Counsel Division advises City departments and operations on employment, labor relations, and civil legal issues. Its work includes risk analysis and mitigation, compliance with employment and labor relations standards, drafting and interpreting policies and other documents, and representing City management in civil service appeals and external administrative claims involving employment, labor relations, and civil service issues. The position has a 40-hour work week with flexible work hours and a hybrid schedule of three days remote and two days on-site, subject to City policy and supervisor approval. On-site work is primarily at Austin City Hall or another location designated by a supervisor.

Requirements

Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited school of law.
Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
A license to practice law issued by the State Bar of Texas.
For Assistant City Attorney IV: 12 full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.
For Assistant City Attorney V: 18 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 clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
Ability to conduct thorough and accurate legal and factual research relevant to assignments.
Ability to analyze and solve legal problems in a timely fashion.
Proficiency in departmental computer systems and technology.
Effective law office organizational skills.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, interruptions, and shifting deadlines.
Ability to follow departmental administrative procedures and requirements.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience litigating employment, civil service, labor disputes, or similar matters before courts or independent third-party arbitrators is highly preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with public safety agencies to provide general legal counsel, with a focus on labor and employment matters, is desired.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced legal advice, with minimal or no supervision, to elected officials and senior and executive management on highly complex issues with potentially significant political or financial impact.
Conduct thorough research, with minimal or no supervision, on complex legal issues with potentially significant political or financial impact.
Prepare legal documents on complex legal matters with minimal or no supervision.
Act as the City's lead representative in complex internal and external legal matters with significant political or financial impact.
Assist other attorneys with assignments 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.