Assistant City Attorney

City of Melbourne•City of Melbourne, FL

About The Position

Under the general direction of the City Attorney or designee, the Assistant City Attorney performs professional legal work coordinating and administering legal matters concerning the City of Melbourne. The role advises and consults on moderately complex legal matters, represents the City before quasi-judicial bodies, administrative agencies, and courts, and works with substantial independence under general policy guidance and minimal supervision of work product. Assignments may cover areas including police affairs, labor and employment, pensions, land use and zoning, real property, public works and utilities, procurement and finance, legislative affairs, code enforcement, parks and recreation, community development, information technology, litigation, and human resources. The City Attorney may assign additional duties across City departments. The position supports City programs and personnel by researching and preparing legal opinions and documents, advising officials and staff, negotiating agreements, assisting with litigation, and providing counsel to municipal boards and committees. Work may also involve specialized advice to police administration and other departments, legal training, monitoring legislation and case law, and attending meetings, hearings, and court proceedings. The position reports to the City Attorney or designee and maintains close working relationships with assigned Department Directors. The work is sedentary overall, in a fast-paced office environment with usually moderate noise. It requires professional judgment, strong written and oral communication, legal research and drafting, and the ability to respond accurately under pressure. The role also involves walking, standing, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and sitting for periods longer than 30 minutes, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items weighing up to 10 pounds.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar and admission to practice law in Florida.
At least five years of experience in local government law and administrative practice, or equivalent experience including local government agency practice, applicable civil practice, or service as legal advisor to a governmental agency, municipality, law enforcement agency, or state attorney’s office.
Valid Florida Driver’s License.
Admission to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit within six months of hiring.
Knowledge of United States and Florida constitutional and statutory law as it relates to City government.
Knowledge of City operations and administration, judicial procedures, rules of evidence, and legal research principles, methods, materials, and practices.
Ability to analyze legal issues, facts, evidence, and precedents in complex cases and present findings effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to prepare complex contracts, legal instruments, and court presentations.
Ability to conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions.
Proficiency using computers for legal research and drafting pleadings and correspondence.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and the trust and confidence of City departments and the public.
Ability to work independently while accepting direction and supervision from the City Attorney or designee.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, orally and in writing, and to hear and understand English conversation in varied tones and accents.
Ability to see, read, and comprehend English letters, numbers, characters, symbols, and words.
Ability to work and solve problems under pressure and stress with extreme accuracy.
Ability to focus on the positive, model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization, and stay centered when challenged.
Ability to walk, stand, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, and sit for periods longer than 30 minutes.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

Keep the City of Melbourne’s mission, vision, and values at the forefront of decisions and actions, and build collaborative relationships and public trust.
Assist City programs and agencies with legal issues involving areas such as land use, planning and zoning, employment, code enforcement, construction regulation, public records, ethics, finance, utilities, police matters, and general government law.
Assist City personnel in responding to public records requests and ensure lawful exemptions and legal compliance are considered.
Research and prepare legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, memoranda, and other legal documents.
Negotiate terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
Advise City officials and staff on legal questions, including the interpretation and application of statutes, case law, ordinances, and regulations.
Draft and review bids, contracts, service agreements, interlocal agreements, mutual aid agreements, and other legal documents.
Assist with outside counsel, coordinate discovery responses, and report litigation progress to the City Attorney as assigned.
Provide legal advice and assistance to municipal advisory boards and committees as assigned.
Represent the City in litigation and appeals in federal and state courts as assigned.
Monitor federal and state legislation and case law affecting local government issues as assigned.
Attend public hearings, quasi-judicial proceedings, meetings, administrative agency proceedings, and court proceedings as assigned.
Provide legal guidance on the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act and risk protection orders as assigned.
Research legal questions referred by police administration or other department directors and make recommendations.
Train City staff on legal topics as needed.
Review police and other City policies, procedures, orders, manuals, and bulletins for compliance with law.
Research precedents, case trends, rulings, and laws affecting police operations.
Advise supervisory personnel and Internal Affairs on matters including the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, working conditions, the Fair Labor Standards Act, public records law, and collective bargaining agreements.
Serve as liaison between a governmental entity and the State Attorney’s Office regarding criminal cases as assigned.
Attend meetings of police administration and other divisions, bureaus, or sections to advise on legal issues, legislation, and court decisions as assigned.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities in other departments as assigned by the City Attorney or designee.