Senior Assistant City Attorney

City of North Port•North Port, FL

About The Position

Under the limited direction of the City Attorney or designee, the Senior Assistant City Attorney performs highly responsible, skilled legal work. Provides and supervises a wide range of professional legal services to the City Commission, City departments, and City advisory boards and committees. This position acts as City Attorney in the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney’s absence from the City, and acts as Deputy City Attorney in the Deputy City Attorney’s absence from the City. Performs related administrative and professional work as required.

Requirements

Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
Minimum of eight (8) years of work experience as a practicing attorney with at least 4 years’ experience representing local governments.
Related fields include land use and zoning, labor and employment, real estate, litigation and appeals, administrative hearing, eminent domain, procurement/public finance, public records, and Sunshine Law, or another field as determined by the City Attorney.
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.
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

Supervisory experience preferred.
Board certification in local government law or another related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists the City Attorney by providing legal services for the City as assigned.
Represents and advises City departments and boards on 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 of 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.
Attend 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.
Make presentations at public meetings and provides training to public officials and staff.
Communicates with City leadership on progress of assigned legal work and its timely completion.
Assists the City Attorney in providing guidance to and reviewing the work of outside counsel and other employees in the City Attorney’s Office, as assigned.
Supervises staff in the City Attorney’s Office, as assigned by the City Attorney. Includes training and evaluating work performance.
May be designated as Acting Deputy City Attorney in the Deputy City Attorney’s absence from office.
May be designated as City Attorney in the City Attorney’s absence from office.
Performs related duties as required or assigned.