Assistant City Attorney I, II, or III - Utilities and Regulatory

City of Austin•Austin, TX

14d•$80,190 - $131,700•Hybrid

About The Position

This multi-level position provides legal services to and on behalf of the City under the direction of the City Attorney. Depending on the level, the attorney may provide legal advice to senior and executive management, elected officials, and City departments; conduct complex legal research; prepare legal documents; represent the City in internal and external legal matters; and assist with or lead complex assignments with significant legal, political, operational, or financial impact. Attorney positions within the Austin City Attorney's Office are not governed by the City's non-sworn Municipal Civil Service rules. The successful candidate will join the Utilities and Regulatory division of the Law Department and provide research and legal advice in areas that may include City utilities (Austin Water, Austin Energy, and Austin Resource Recovery), regulation of certain non-city-owned utilities, complex transactions, technology or information security, and compliance. The work is transactional and may involve alternative dispute resolution or support to the Litigation Division, but does not include litigation. Ongoing support to City staff and management may include negotiating and drafting contracts; conducting research; reviewing and drafting legal memoranda, resolutions, ordinances, City Code amendments, agenda postings, and other legal instruments; and preparing and presenting at City Council meetings, including public and executive sessions. Assigned duties may vary according to client business needs. 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.

Requirements

Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited school of law.
Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas and a license to practice law issued by the State Bar of Texas.
Assistant City Attorney II: three full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.
Assistant City Attorney III: seven 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 the assignment.
Ability to analyze and solve legal problems in a timely fashion.
Proficiency with departmental computer systems and technology.
Effective law office organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks, interruptions, and changing deadlines.
Ability to follow departmental administrative procedures and requirements and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or demonstrated interest in utility-related environmental law issues.
Experience with or demonstrated interest in technology or privacy law.
Experience with or demonstrated interest in drafting and negotiating complex transactions, including IT projects; power, gas, and hedging transactions and trades; and large purchase and acquisition transactions.
Experience with or demonstrated interest in utility service offerings and contracts.
Experience with or demonstrated interest in public contract law and public finance issues.
Experience in the public or private sector advising clients regarding complex transactions.
Familiarity with the structure and operation of the ERCOT market.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice to senior and executive management and elected officials, primarily on complex issues that may have high political or financial impact.
Conduct thorough legal research on complex issues.
Prepare legal documents for senior managers on routine or moderately complex matters.
Act as a lead or supporting representative of the City in internal and external legal matters with significant political or financial impact.
Provide ongoing legal support to City staff and management in utilities, regulatory matters, complex transactions, technology or information security, and compliance.
Negotiate and draft contracts and prepare or review legal memoranda, resolutions, ordinances, City Code amendments, agenda postings, and other legal instruments.
Prepare and deliver presentations at City Council meetings, including public and executive sessions.
For Assistant City Attorney III, provide some mentoring and training to lower-level attorneys on legal issues and skills.
Depending on assignment, participate in alternative dispute resolution or support the Litigation Division; the position does not include litigation.