Assistant City Attorney

City of North Port•North Port, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, provides a wide range of professional legal services to the City Commission, City departments and advisory boards and committees. Performs related administrative and professional work as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Substantive knowledge of relevant state and federal law and their application to the essential functions of the job.
Skilled in using Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe.
Skilled in conducting research on complex legal issues and drafting sound legal opinions.
Skilled in using small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to prepare and present cases in court, mediation, and arbitration.
Ability to review and draft resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, and other legal documents.
Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in addressing complex legal problems.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to meet deadlines, manage priorities, and multi-task while working in challenging and time sensitive situations with shifting priorities.
Ability to organize work for timely completion.
Ability to maintain effective professional relationships through contact and cooperation.
Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
Minimum of five (5) years of work experience as a practicing attorney a substantial amount of which has been in the practice of local government law or related field.
Related field includes: land use and zoning, labor and employment, real estate, litigation and appeals, administrative hearing, eminent domain, procurement/public finance, public records, and Sunshine Law.
Must be an attorney eligible to practice law in Florida with an active Florida Bar license and in good standing with the Florida Bar.

Nice To Haves

(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)

Responsibilities

Assists the City Attorney by providing legal services for the City as assigned.
Represents and advises City departments and boards in matters that require the professional services of an attorney.
Conducts legal research concerning complex problems or projects; drafts opinions containing recommendations or solutions.
Drafts, reviews, and analyzes resolutions, ordinances, and other proposed legislation of a unique or complex nature.
Drafts and reviews contracts, leases, real estate instruments, and other legal documents of a unique or complex nature.
Confers with and assists City departments in drafting internal policies, procedures, and templates.
Attends City Commission meetings, workshops, and advisory board meetings as assigned.
Keeps up to date on relevant court decisions, administrative decisions, legislation, and issues pertaining to local government law and related municipal matters.
Coordinates with special counsel, manages administrative matters and litigation, and attends hearings as assigned.
Makes presentations in public meetings and provides training to public officials and staff.
Communicates with City leadership on progress of assigned legal work and its timely completion.
Performs related duties as required or assigned.
Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event.
All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description.
Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.