Description:

Job Summary:
Under general direction of the City Attorney, performs a variety of legal responsibilities for the City of Bryan, including preparing and drafting briefs, pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, permits, letters, memos and other documents; receives and reviews claims and lawsuits against the City and makes recommendations; provides written and oral legal opinions to departments, employees, and officers of the city; and prepares for and participates in court hearings, arbitrations, and trials on behalf of the city.

Essential Job Functions:

Provides legal support and advice to City staff, elected officials, and various boards and commissions.
Recognizes, assesses, and analyzes potential liability and complex legal issues and keeps the City Attorney and City staff informed of the same.
Researches legal issues and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, and correspondence.
Prepares, drafts, and develops ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, easements, deeds, economic development incentive agreements, and other complex legal documents.
Participates in a variety of meetings to provide legal advice, receive and convey information, and ensure Open Meetings Act compliance.
Provides representation in general civil litigation and dispute resolution; prepares pleadings, briefs, motions, and other documents as required; assists with outside law firms and attorneys representing the City in litigation and other matters.
Analyzes court rulings and legislation with regard to their effect on municipal government operations.
Advises and supports City staff in responding to public inquiries, citizen complaints, and requests for information.
Provides training to city staff and officials municipal law issues.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Responds regularly and promptly to work.

Minimum Qualifications:
Required:

Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.
Must possess five (5) years of practice as an attorney.

Preferred:

Experience in municipal law or as an attorney in a Texas law firm with a public sector client base that includes municipal corporations.
Experience in real estate, contract review, land use, and economic development.
Experience in employment law, to include State Civil Service Chapter 143.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of:

Legal principles of general municipal law, and the Texas Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act.
Municipal government organization and structure, including the powers and limitations of home rule cities.
Principles, methods, materials, practices and references utilized in legal research.
Principles and procedures of civil law including rules of evidence and judicial and administrative procedures.
State and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations.

Ability to:

Work independently and maintain a professional demeanor.
Handle multiple tasks, prioritize and organize work assignments, and meet established deadlines.
Perform legal review and research; assimilate and analyze various complex facts, issues and problems; determine alternative courses of legal action; and render a legal opinion and recommendation.
Devise and draft effective legislation and other legal documents that support the policies of the Mayor and Council.
Prepare and present oral and/or written explanation and defend legal opinions and decisions both in judicial as well as administrative settings, to include comprehensive explanation of legal concepts, positions, and/or policies.
Represent the city and effectively apply legal knowledge and principles in a variety of judicial and administrative proceedings.
Present cases before judicial bodies and provide well-researched briefs and opinions to City officials and staff and a variety of interest groups within the community.
Exercise considerable initiative, sound judgment, and collaborative skills.
Maintain a high degree of organization, with attention to detail and accuracy.
Use spreadsheet and word processing applications (Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Outlook) to prepare clear and concise correspondence, memos, contracts, presentations, and other written materials.
Perform a variety of clerical/administrative tasks, such as responding to phone calls, data entry, and maintaining records/files.
Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information, records, or issues.
Attend meetings and perform work assignments at times other than normal business hours.
Demonstrate satisfactory performance and attendance.
Comply with City and departmental policies and procedures.
Provide management with sound, positive advice, and information concerning the area of responsibility.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of City staff, City Council and citizens.

Skills:

Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
Strong public contact and customer service skills.
Strong planning, organizational, problem-solving and time-management skills.
Strong personal computer skills, with the ability to utilize Microsoft Office and any job-specific software.

Licenses, Certifications & Special Requirements

Must be licensed to practice law in Texas.
Must be a member of the Texas State Bar.
Texas Class C driver's license with a good driving record as measured by the City's evaluation system.

Physical Demands:
Physical demands include but are not limited to: sitting, talking, hearing, seeing, standing, walking, driving, bending, reaching, twisting, pushing, pulling, using hands and fingers to operate office equipment and machines, and occasionally lifting and/or moving objects up to and including 25 pounds.