Assistant Municipal Counselor - Division Head - City

OKC Career Site • Oklahoma City, OK

11d

About The Position

This position is located in the Office of the Municipal Counselor – Airports Division. The primary purpose of this classification is to serve as a Division Head to supervise, manage, and direct the activities of the Airports Division within the Municipal Counselor’s Office. The Airports Division provides legal services and guidance to the Department of Airports and the Oklahoma City Airport Trust (“OCAT”) to ensure that the three airports in OCAT’s airport system are operated in a manner consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws or regulations, and City ordinances. Experience and/or education in municipal law, airport law, public trust, public construction, commercial leasing, contracting, land transaction, public financing, grant administration, environmental law, and/or oil and gas law is desirable. The individual selected for this position is expected to exemplify a high degree of professionalism in the office, courtroom, before City Council or OCAT, and in all public appearances, exhibiting trustworthiness and the ability to respect confidence. All positions in this office serve under the direction of the Municipal Counselor and may be assigned to another division based on the needs of the office. Essential job functions include: The Division Head will supervise one or more attorneys and support staff assigned to the division; facilitate professional development of assigned staff to aid in succession planning of the office; manage the administrative tasks associated with the division; complex analysis of City ordinances and interpreting their effect on municipal operations; performing legal research and writing briefs; drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, administrative service agreements and other documents as required by the Municipal Counselor, City Management and administration, and Boards of Trustees or the various public trusts; adhere to the ethical standards for behavior and follow the professional rules of conduct; provide training to City staff; out-of-court litigation preparation (i.e. discovery, negotiations, brief writing); taking and defending depositions; appearing before federal, state or municipal courts, and administrative boards, commissions and public trusts. Management of the Division’s Provision of Legal Services The Division Head is responsible for coordinating and managing the activities of other attorneys in the assigned division while still actively providing legal services themselves. Work requires the Division Head to have expertise in the laws, rules and regulations that are applicable to the division and knowledge of laws and ordinances that apply to the City of Oklahoma City. Decisions and recommendations are made on an independent basis and mindful that they may affect public trusts, City departments, and/or City policies and/or procedures. The ability to exercise critical thinking and effectively explain complex legal issues verbally or in writing is essential. Interpersonal Relations The Division Head will have extensive contact with co-workers, City staff, elected or appointed officials, and citizens to obtain and provide information that requires an explanation and interpretation of law. Supervision Given and Received The Division Head is expected to work with minimal supervision but reports to a Deputy Municipal Counselor. The Division Head supervises at least one attorney (Assistant Municipal Counselor I, II,or III) and a paralegal or other support staff assigned to a designated division. The Division Head is responsible for managing the assignments, cases, projects or other matters of the designated division. This is a summary of the duties and responsibilities commonly found within this classification. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related activities or tasks may be assigned.

Requirements

• Degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice law in the State of Oklahoma or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission to practice in the State of Oklahoma within six (6) months.
• At least ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney, and at least five (5) of those years practicing in the field of the division assignment.
• Knowledge of municipal law.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience managing one (1) or more attorneys and support staff.
• Ability to seek and provide appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
• Demonstrated skill in written and verbal communication including the preparation of legal documents, opinions, ordinances and memoranda, as well as making oral presentations.
• Demonstrated skill in critically evaluating, assessing and organizing a wide variety of information and complex legal matters.
• Demonstrated skill in legal research and using online legal research tools.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective, productive working relationships with municipal officials, municipal employees, outside agencies, and individuals.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and/or education in municipal law, airport law, public trust, public construction, commercial leasing, contracting, land transaction, public financing, grant administration, environmental law, and/or oil and gas law is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise one or more attorneys and support staff assigned to the division
• Facilitate professional development of assigned staff to aid in succession planning of the office
• Manage the administrative tasks associated with the division
• Complex analysis of City ordinances and interpreting their effect on municipal operations
• Performing legal research and writing briefs
• Drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, administrative service agreements and other documents as required by the Municipal Counselor, City Management and administration, and Boards of Trustees or the various public trusts
• Adhere to the ethical standards for behavior and follow the professional rules of conduct
• Provide training to City staff
• Out-of-court litigation preparation (i.e. discovery, negotiations, brief writing)
• Taking and defending depositions
• Appearing before federal, state or municipal courts, and administrative boards, commissions and public trusts
• Coordinating and managing the activities of other attorneys in the assigned division while still actively providing legal services themselves

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• An average of $22,000 annually contributed toward your benefits and retirement
• A comprehensive package designed to support your health and wellness, financial security, work-life balance, and personal and professional growth and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed