Assistant City Attorney

Description

The City of Coconut Creek has been spotlighted as one of the "Best Cities to Live in America" by Money Magazine and a Top Ten Place to Live in Florida by Movoto and NerdWallet. We've been awarded the Honorable Culture of Well-Being by Cigna and ranked #7 Healthiest Employer to Work For in the medium-sized company category by South Florida Business Journal. Our City is home to the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Butterfly World, and the Coconut Creek Promenade. Every one of our business owners and 58,000 residents rely on our awesome 450+ employees. Are you ready to be one of us?

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and serving the public; if you are innovative, progressive, dedicated, and looking for a workplace where you belong, consider applying to join our Coconut Creek family.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs work as a recognized subject matter expert in the City Attorney's office. Provides legal advice and counsel to the City Commission, City Manager, City Staff, and City Advisory Boards. The work includes review and/or preparation of routine legal documents and preparation of legal opinions. Responsibilities include representation of various departments in litigation and/or administrative proceedings, as well as assisting the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with more difficult and complex questions and problems. Work is performed under general direction of the City Attorney with significant latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. Position requires a high level of critical thinking and ingenuity in bringing successful resolution to unusually complex and strategic situations and issues.

Hours of Work: Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Hours are subject to change

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Advises the City Commission, City Manager, City staff, and City boards as may be required, relative to legal matters affecting the City.

• Attends City Commission meetings and workshops, Planning and Zoning Board meetings and other Advisory Board meetings as needed.

• Conducts investigations and interviews based upon alleged or potential legal problems of a routine nature, and prepares reports or opinions based upon findings made.

• Reviews leases and contracts.

• Prepares legal opinions, drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents Represents various departments in matters which do not require the professional services of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.

• Responds to and resolves sensitive and complex inquiries and complaints including: responding to requests of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney, City Manager, and elected officials for information and interpretation.

• May present issues to the City Commission as needed or directed by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.

• Assists City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with the preparation of legal opinions regarding more complex legal questions.

• Assists with the preparation and defense of all civil cases involving the City including preparation of initial pleadings, discovery documents, motions and other litigation documents as needed; reviews claims and complaints by or against the City; works with other legal specialists hired by the City for special and/or complex cases.

• Assists the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with conducting legal research concerning complex problems or projects and prepares reports, memoranda and draft opinions containing proposed or recommended courses of action or solutions.

• Assists the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with providing guidance to and reviewing the work of other attorneys retained by the City; enforces and makes recommendations regarding city policies and procedures.

• Meets with elected officials, department heads, staff, and the public as needed.

• May be designated as Acting City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.

• Hands on selection of and guidance of Law School Interns.

• Performs other related duties and functions as may be assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris doctor degree from an accredited school of law; supplemented by five (5) or more years' experience practicing in the area of City, County, and Local Government law or related field preferably in the State of Florida. Related field includes: land use/zoning, labor and employment, real estate, litigation/ trial experience, eminent domain, procurement/public finance, public records/ Sunshine law, and/or workers' compensation/ personal injury law. Board certification in City, County, and Local Government law is preferred, but not required. Must be an attorney at law in good standing in Florida and possess a license to practice law in the state of Florida.

• The City reserves the right to consider alternate combinations of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research (Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis).

• Considerable knowledge of the local, state, and federal statutory law.

• Skill in conducting research on complex legal issues and preparing sound legal opinions.

• Skill in Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel).

• Ability to effectively provide legal advice to City elected officials, department heads, and staff in multiple areas.

• Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in resolving complex legal problems.

• Ability to multi-task while working with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.

• Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

• Ability to organize work for timely completion.

• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule.

• Ability to conduct trials, hearings, and proceedings, and organize and prepare cases for litigation.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity.

Eligibility List Criteria: An eligibility list, which shall be valid for a maximum of six months, shall be formed based on applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Candidates on the eligibility list will be given consideration for each vacancy. Veterans Preference shall be awarded, pursuant to Florida Statutes.

APPLICANT SELECTED FOR HIRE MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS PHYSICAL AND BACKGROUND CHECK

NOTE TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: Applicants with disabilities who will need special accommodations for testing must advise Human Resources not later than one (1) week prior to scheduled testing, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.