Assistant City Attorney/ Planning & Zoning
About The Position
The Assistant City Attorney assists the City Attorney in supervising and administering the City Attorney’s office and performs difficult professional legal duties for municipal departments, the City Council, advisory boards, and the Mayor. The work primarily involves Planning & Zoning and includes providing legal advice, preparing and reviewing legal documents and legislation, and supporting City real estate and community development activities. The position advises the Building and Zoning Divisions on community development matters, including matters before boards that make recommendations to the City Council. It also supports municipal land acquisition, evaluates real estate proposals, negotiates lease terms, reviews unsolicited proposals and public-private partnerships involving City-owned real estate, and coordinates real estate matters with other governmental entities and relevant professionals. The role manages the City’s tangible assets and helps ensure tax compliance for transactions. Work is performed indoors in a quiet to moderately noisy environment.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
- Five years of experience practicing law.
- Active membership in good standing of the Florida Bar.
- Considerable knowledge of Federal, State, and municipal civil laws and constitutional law affecting municipal government.
- Knowledge of court procedures, rules of evidence, legal research procedures, and legal forms.
- Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of the City Charter and ordinances and apply legal knowledge to varied problems.
- Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents and brief court decisions, ordinances, and Federal and State statutes.
- Ability to draft legal memorandums, ordinances, and resolutions and reconcile conflicting laws and court decisions.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing, and use excellent English.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work effectively with other employees.
- Ability to interact with the public courteously and tactfully.
- Skill in researching complex legal problems, preparing sound legal opinions, and preparing and presenting cases in court.
- High degree of independence and initiative; ability to communicate effectively, handle several assignments concurrently, and develop and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to communicate and interact with employees and the public through telephone and personal contact; read, talk, stand, hear, use hand and finger dexterity, handle, feel, or operate objects, and read and write English.
- Physical capability to operate office equipment, including a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.
- Ability to lift, carry, or push articles weighing up to 20 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of principles and concepts related to local government law is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, examine, and approve contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents for City departments.
- Prepare and review proposed ordinances, resolutions, and other legislation.
- Review documents submitted by outside agents or agencies and advise on their legal acceptability; confer with the City Attorney on legal policy.
- Research and interpret legal authorities, including laws, court decisions, the City Charter, and ordinances, and provide advice or prepare legal opinions and court documents.
- Review contracts and other legal documents for legality and sufficiency.
- Attend assigned board meetings and serve as legal counsel.
- Assist with City land acquisition by drafting and reviewing documents, negotiating directed settlements, and processing property documents after settlement.
- Analyze real estate proposals and negotiate lease terms for City-owned assets.
- Act as the City’s real estate liaison with other agencies and professionals, including Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Florida Department of Transportation, other governmental entities, economists, and appraisers.
- Review unsolicited proposals and public-private partnerships involving City-owned real estate.
- Manage the City’s tangible assets and work with County and State entities to ensure tax compliance for transactions.
- Provide legal counsel to the Building and Zoning Divisions on community development matters, including matters before relevant boards.
- Draft, prepare, and issue, or arrange for the noticing and issuance of, Requests for Proposals and similar competitive solicitations involving City property.
- Perform other related duties and functions as requested by the Supervisor.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
